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Canada 2018

april 2018 - juni 2024
Celebrating 37 years married by discovering Vancouver and the Rockies plus Seattle & Vancouver Island. Meer informatie
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  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    21313
    Dag 11

    Icefield Parkway... beyond WOW!

    4 mei 2018, Canada

    Words can hardly express the ‘WOW’ factor of this 230km trek. Travelling north, and then south three days later, we found ourselves amazed, speechless, exhilarated and finally exhausted.

    Frozen lakes became common, starting with Lake Louise. It wasn't perfect blue skies, pristine waters, green grass and red canoes. Oh no, there was more than a metre of snow in places, with ice rinks still noticeable on the lake’s surface and heavy skies in the background.

    Heading north saw increasing snow, with our highest point just over 2000m. On the return trip a detour saw me walk in snow for twenty minutes to get a view of the famous Peyto Lake!

    Flowing water has led to amazing rock formations and waterfalls - Mistaya Canyon, Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls - all highlighting the incredible force of water over time. Photos don’t really show its true power and dynamic.

    Athabasca Glacier was amazin - it's deeper than the Eiffel Tower is tall. We ventured through some snow to a viewpoint. With a strong glacial breeze, it gave us an inkling of its uniqueness!

    On our return journey gloriously clear skies were enjoyed. We were blessed with wildlife - black bear, grizzly bear, large horned sheep, elk, deer... to name a few. Q. What's a traffic jam along the Parkway? People photographing wildlife. Parkway... you are beyond WOW!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    2
    11
    Dag 12

    A morning snapshot

    5 mei 2018, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C

    It's a delight to sit in our Canadian campsite [Whistlers in Jasper] and listen to the morning sounds. Kids waking up, birds squawking, train whilstling in the distance, but the overall volume is of 'no sound'. Silence. It can be so deafening at times, but in a luscious way.

    I look out from my picnic table and see a ranger vehicle, bear-resisting rubbish bins, several RVs, tents and 5th wheelers amongst plenty of fir trees. Some trees are dead but most are a mid-green colour. There is grass in various states of repair after a long winter from late November. Now everything is straining for the warmth and energy of summer.

    Today's walk was exhilarating, showcasing my first two elk seen in the wild. I walked on one of many paths created by Parks Canada, seeing the fast flowing Athabasca River. It just amazes me the volume of water flowing so strongly and so far from the coast. Water is abundant supply!

    This part of the country, the Jasper region, sits at just over 1000 metres in elevation, with the surrounding mountains rising up over to almost 3000 metres, providing snow-covered vistas all around. The air is fresh, the temperature is above zero [about 8 degrees right now]

    Peace reigns in this moment!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    1
    1111
    Dag 12

    Jasper... Queenstown on steroids

    5 mei 2018, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    With a name like Jasper, you'd expect something special for this town. It didn't disappoint! We arrived in the town after travelling along the Icefield Parkway, a 230km trek from Lake Louise.

    Whistlers Campground was our resting spot. This park, 5 mins out of Jasper, is run by National Parks and set amongst tall fir trees next to Whistlers Peak. It is huge taking 10 mins thru to our spot. You park next to your picnic table, hook up electricity and toilets are walking distance.

    Overnight temps were bearable. I rose early, before 6 am, and went for my 5k walk, saw my first elk. We went up Whistlers Peak on the Air Tram, from 1200m to 2200m, with clouds scudding past, briefly interrupting our views. Vistas of Jasper, Pyramid Peak and many other mountains.

    I decided to do the 45-min. trek to the top of the mountain, still peppered with snow and ice, but with enough rocks and dry path to make walking possible. Discovered another red chair.

    Next we visited Maligne Canyon, only metres wide but carved by water over the years. We went past an empty Medicine Lake finally found frozen Maligne Lake. Our day was complete after discovering two red chairs... we just sat and enjoyed the serenity!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    11
    Dag 12

    Tete Jaune allure... it's magic

    5 mei 2018, Canada ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Have you heard of 'compassion fatigue'? Well Sheree and I have coined mountain fatigue” - a new phenomenon coined from the tiredness we felt from too many peaks. We’ve experienced it before in New Zealand. There is so much awe and wonder in the Rockies.

    We needed a break so we headed west, crossed the Alberta BC border, and entered Fraser River territory again. Despite escaping the main mountains we saw the Rockies' tallest Mt Robson @ 3945m.

    Our blessings continued when we discovered a newly opened RV Park right on the banks of the Fraser. Afternoon sunshine caressed cafe guests sitting on the deck. Green grass, well-maintained grounds, picnic tables, all backdropped by snow-capped mountains.... we're staying here!

    The next day was Canadian heaven, springtime in the Rockies. It was hard to imagine snow everywhere only a month ago. Leaves were budding on the trees, grass growing, hummingbirds had buzzing around, Canadian geese squawking from the river, and the silence was the foundation of all this activity.

    As I sit and write this the sun is shining after zero overnight. Stark white mountain peaks contrast the buds, birds are singing, geese are honking, a train’s whistle blows and the ever-present sound of moving water creates a Sunday morning. Peace reigns!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    Dag 14

    First evers

    7 mei 2018, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We were like kids in a chocolate shop, set free to sample the different shapes, sizes, colours and smells… and no parents watching! What freedom! What delight! Worry about tooth decay later!

    These are some of the 'first time evers' for both Sheree and I…
    walked upon a frozen lake
    came within metres of a grizzly bear in the wild
    came within metres to a black bear in the wild
    saw our very first hummingbird [small yet magnificent]
    drove an RV on the RH side of the road
    ate poutine [an eastern Canadian cheese and potato delicacy]
    gazing at the tallest mountain in the Rockies [rarely cloudless, ‘xept for us]
    seeing the largest river system on the west coast of Canada [Fraser River]
    walked to the top of a snow-covered mountain
    sat for an hour in a mountain valley… and listened to silence
    celebrated the arrival of our fourth grandchild [our Seattle bubba!]

    So often it’s not till you stop that you realise how special these moments have been. For our firsts we are thankful. And we share them with you… not to boast… but to encourage you to take the blessings in front of you and celebrate your socks off!!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    Dag 15

    'Bear' jam

    8 mei 2018, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    What’s the definition of a Canadian traffic jam?
    Cars rapidly pulling up and parking at weird angles on the Icefield Parkway. Let me explain…

    Seeing wildlife in the Canadian Rockies is a delight. It doesn't matter whether you're​ equipped with the expensive camera equipment or you're just using your mobile phone being so close is wonderful.

    With brake lights blaring up ahead, we knew something was happening, so we stopped. A black bear presented itself so Sheree had the privilege of getting within 5 metres, taking many shots.

    Only a few kilometres further on another jam happened. This time it was a grizzly. We were amazed to see such a creature so close. It was eating grass and so unaware of its observers.

    We also had the privilege of seeing many elk [deer], gorgeous hummingbirds, a wolf [sadly no photo], mountain goats, marmot, several beavers, many squirrels and others.

    We missed seeing bison, now living on a farm near Waterton. That’s for another trip. What a wonderful array of creatures in the wild!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    Dag 16

    Red Chair Challenge

    9 mei 2018, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    What began as a bit of fun looking for red chairs in Banff National Park grew into it’s own adventure. Let’s see what unique chairs we can find and what intriguing places and views they might have! Thus the 'Red Chair Challenge'

    On Newfoundland’s west coast, Gros Morne National Park began a challenge for their visitors in 2015. Find 18 sets of double red chairs and share them with the world via Instagram. The challenge went viral.

    Thus we accepted a challenge in the various National Parks within the Rockies. We found a few, but began looking for other chairs set up to enjoy their unique views.

    Our aim was to stop, be present and then share the view. Here are a few of our wonderful moments. Imagine the views… and then… go and find your own!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    Dag 17

    Buffalo Nations Museum

    10 mei 2018, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    Banff holds many treasures beyond the regular tourist routes. Proudly it hosts the site of Canada's original National Park, capturing for the future the flora, fauna and vistas.

    Banff contains an intentional heritage - it's a well planned resort town, created by the Canadian Pacific Railway; hosts' a world famous train - The Rocky Mountaineer; features the well-known Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

    The town also holds the Parks Canada head office known as Cascade Gardens.

    But a gem we discovered was a First Nations museum, an excellent interpretive centre telling both local and national stories. Presentations, AVs and well constructed displays showcased a history often misunderstood by 21st century dwellers.

    It is good to pause in our lives and remember a nation’s heritage, to get to know the stewards of the land. Canada is a harsh environment, but the stories of survival, management, creativity, resourcefulness, spirituality are both educational and inspiring. Worthy of a visit... take your time!!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    3
    Dag 17

    30 year dream comes true!

    10 mei 2018, Canada ⋅ 🌧 4 °C

    In 1988 EXPO came to Brisbane. At the Alberta stand a huge photo of a fir-tree surrounded hotel captured my attention. All I remembered was the name, Fairmont Banff, but straight away it went on the goals list.

    Today, almost exactly thirty years later, Sheree and I celebrated our 37th wedding anniversary having a Royal Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. We enjoyed a delightful and indulgent snack, related to the British Royal family because of the Royal wedding this month.

    The view was magnificent, the food exquisite, the building amazing and the experience... worth the wait!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
  • WaddleAboutCanada 2018
    2
    Dag 18

    Calgary Tower quick visit

    11 mei 2018, Canada ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    With only a few hours to explore downtown Calgary, we embraced this city. It's cold here overnight and very grey, but now the sun has arrived. I particularly wanted to go up the needle, celebrating its 50th year.

    Farewell Rockies, you’ve been wonderful. Now for the next part of the adventure!    Meer informatie

    Zie vertaling
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