Jasper National Park connects lots of small towns. Most of these entertain campers and hikers in summer and skiers in winter. They are connected by the Icefield Parkway. The scenery as drive along the Parkway is stunning. Think soaring mountains, wide river valleys, lakes and glaciers. Many of the rivers are brown with silt at present because of heavy rain.      
We passed the Columbia icefield ,  Lake Wildflower and Louise      The glaciers are gradually shrinking. The blue of the water is created by the glacier water mixing with the limestone in the rock. This forms ‘rock flower’ but don’t drink the water as it is a natural laxative. Maybe don’t swim either as the water even at the moment is -4 degrees.

Banff is a tourist town. It has a fantastic transport system of small electric buses that makes it easier for both tourists and locals to get around the area. There are a few historical buildings but the outstanding feature of the town is a garden called the  Cascades gardens’ It was donated by its founder to the National Park.  

 

Gardens not for you? Let’s walk by the  Bow river, then  I promise we will go eat. I know you are starving.

Time to eat…walk down the street, the catch the bus back to Jasper. Don’t you remember, we are catching the train to Vancouver tomorrow.

      Brunch!
French toast made with sourdough bread and stuffed with cream cheese and berries. Ignore the calories! Enjoy!

Now how are you going on animal spotting? I spy ……a moose…..some male elk……some female elk……some big horn sheep….and some Canadian geese. Photos to show you..zilch, none .Sorry. Let’s go to Vancouver