Flight to Dallas (yes, Dallas), on way to Calgary.
This is what happens when a Sweet Adeline in full drag attempts to eat. Note lipstick marks.
View of Calgary from the Saddle Dome.
One of the competing chorus' costumes
Capital City Chorus takes the stage!
Please be seated...
Another competing chorus
Directors on stage with last year's winners, the Rich-Tones.
Stewart St. in Calgary
Doubt the Sweet Adelines bought much cowboy gear.
A magpie friend looking for a handout.
At the Saltlik, home of the best prime rib I have ever had. Who knew there was a Dale Chihuly sculpture here?
Oh my. It's flat east of Calgary. Really, really flat. This is one of the hillier areas.
Very strange large hole in the ground, out in the middle of nowhere. This is part of the Badlands of eastern Alberta.
Paula standing next to a mighty big crack in the ground.
Oboy. This is Drumheller, a tiny little town in the middle of nothing. Its claim to fame is dinosaur fossils. There are hilariously-painted dinosaurs all over town.
This particular example of tacky is the "world's largest dinosaur." For a fee, you can climb up stairs inside and look out over the town from its mouth. We saved our $3.
Our favorite.
The Star Mine supension bridge. There used to be lots of mining in this area, mostly for coal.
The Hoodoos. These are unique to this area (some less dramatic ones can be found in the mountains).
Leaving the giant hole in the ground, heading back to hideously desolate terrain.
Leaving Calgary, heading west.
Lake Minnewanka, very close to Banff.
Lake Johnston, outside of Banff.
It was fascinating watching how these goats navigated on tiny ledges.
Johnston Canyon, outside of Banff. Very impressive catwalk led 1.5 miles in to both lower and upper falls.
Trees growing on a very narrow ledge.
Finally made it to the Ink Pots, 3.5 miles in. Why don't they put these things closer to the road??
An Ink Pot. Water percolates through the soil, bringing minerals to the surface. Colors are very interesting.
Lake Louise
Logs at bottom of lake
Home of Crowfoot Glacier. Used to be three "toes", now there are only two.
Rainbow colors on the mountainsides.
Making a phone call from the Columbia Ice Field, at the base of the Athabasca Glacier.
The glacier has receded a great deal since 1982. The current base is just over the top of the hill above.
The base of the glacier.
The glacier makes its own weather. Brrrr it was a cold wind!
Gives an idea of size. Tour buses are parked up on the darker ridge to the left.
All of this used to be glacier. Now it looks like a moonscape.
Next to the small lake is the parking lot (very tiny-looking from here). The glacier used to cover all the area here, back to the building at the base of the mountain in the distance.
Lots of ground-up rocks illustrate the power of the glacier.
Base of glacier, as seen from the Visitor Center across the street. Back in 1844 this was all covered.
Tangle Creek Falls. A little treasure we spotted along the highway.
Onward to Jasper! No lack of scenery...
More waterfalls! Sunwapta Falls
That little speck on the left is Paula.
Athabasca Falls
Somebody was here first...note tracks on steps.
This critter watched us watch it eat a snack.
Think this chain is strong enough?
Footprints in the riverbed.
Terrible view!
Strange jumble of rocks with a forest growing up through it.
Overlooking the riverbed, hoping for a handout.
Oopsie!
Unfortunately it was snowing and very, very cold. We were not properly dressed to attempt this particular hike. Darn!
Many of the trees were top-heavy with pine cones.
Peyto Lake
Afternoon tea at Lake Louise.
Is it me or are these two smiling? Taxidermist with a twisted sense of humor?
Wildlife crossing.
Heading back down to Calgary.
Olympic Park, home of 1988 Winter Olympics.
Wow that's high up there! 90 meter ski jump.
That ramp really isn't very wide.
Luge and bobsleigh.
Paula's a champion!
Flying back down to Dallas. Sigh.
