The Rockies
(written July 23)
When I was quite young, my family went on a road trip to Saskatchewan. The one vivid memory I have of that trip was our van flipping on the highway in the snow and being in the hospital waiting room. None of us were seriously injured, thankfully. Theoretically, we would have gone through the Rockies on that trip, but I just can't remember them.
My first real recollection of the Rockies was when my friend Rupert and I took a train from Winnipeg to Vancouver. After what seemed like forever in the prairies, finally seeing the mountains, the emerald lakes and rivers, and the town of Jasper was such an exhilarating memory. That was in 2014.
After Lone Butte, we were so excited to finally head east into Alberta and into the Rockies. Driving across the border and into Jasper National Park, getting the Discovery Pass which opens up all the other National Parks for the rest of the trip, and driving past a bear and moose was an eye opening introduction to this beautiful part of our country.
Endless lakes and beautiful hikes have been what have filled our days here. I have discovered that my driving pace has slowed down with so much to see around us. It’s been relaxing spending time in the van, watching the mountains and forests pass us by.
At the same time, life on the road has started to take a bit of a toll. Patience on my end seems to be running thin, and navigating through spotty reception has proven to be challenging at times when trying to find our next destination or place to sleep.
It’s a reminder for me that my style of communication isn’t always advantageous, and that I need to be a better listener. I need to spend a little less time sharing my opinions while accepting Annika’s opinions without challenge.
Here is a collection of photos from our time in the Rockies. I must say, I’m not the most excited for the endless flat terrain that is in our very near future, and I’ll take this rugged landscape for as much time as we have with it.
(annika and bow lake)
(castle mountain)
(view of the landscape driving from jasper to lake louise)
(view from edith cavell glacier)
(view of saskatechewan glacier from parker ridge trail)
(maligne canyon)
(steps in the canyon of athabasca falls)
(moraine lake)
(annette lake)
(campfire protection)
(valley of the five lakes trail in jasper)
(athabasca falls)
