Time Flies!
And so it is with a trip from Banff to Jasper.

Leaving Banff about 8am in temperature of -2 degrees C, we headed along the Trans-Canadian Highway to Lake Louise and arrived before the main influx of coach tour parties.

What a place!! The sun was shining and we had fine blue sky's which just enhanced the colours and reflections of the lake which was pretty much flat as a pancake. We probably stayed there for about an hour in all just taking pics and taking in the shere beauty of the place.

The road from Banff to Jasper is 291 kilometers and the majority of the journey is along the 'Icefelds Parkway'. The guide books say this can be undertaken in about three hours. Eight hours after we set out from Banff we arived in Jasper. But the views of the rockies were beyond adequate description. We were also treated to the complex patterns on a frozen lake and the Athabasca Glacier.

Along the way, we were treated to some more stunning scenery and one or two unscheduled stops. At one of these, we were lucky enough to find ourselves about 10 feet away from a wild foraging Grizzly Bear. 

Further along, and at the side of the road, we were a similar distance away from a wild foraging Black Bear.

Another stop at Athabasca Falls provided additional photo opportunities and a chance to see our first Beaver.

I also spotted a Rufous Hummingbird going about it's business (lovely!).

Well anyway, we duly arived in Jasper which is very different to Banff giving an impression of a quiet hamlet. But we did find a curry house that was doing an 'all you can eat' promotion. So, of course, we took good advantage of that (well I did anyway - Jan was far more reserved). Still, a great way to end a perfect day!