Guess where I am?! Somewhere I've always wanted to visit, the Canadian Rockies!
It is our first day here, and we are at Moraine Lake in Banff National Park. Look at the blue water and the pretty reflection of the peaks!
The peaks around Moraine lake are steep and still have snow on them!
And look what we saw living at the base of the lake! A pika! These little guys gather grains and dry them in the sun on rocks, then store them for winter. Isn't that smart? Isn't he funny?
Later that day we took a drive down the Bow River Parkway. Yes, that is a river behind me!
The river is naturally blue because it is fed by glacial lakes. Isn't is so pretty?
Along the highway we saw an elk!
And as the sun started to go down we were extra careful to drive slowly, this is when a lot of animals are out and about!
The next day we went to Lake Louise in Banff! Look at the color of the water! I learned that glacial lakes have a component called 'rock flour' floating in them that gives them the intense turquoise color.
And these birds where everywhere! They were so cute, they are called Clark's Nutcrackers.
One day we took the Lake Louise Gondola up to the top of the mountains! Do you see tiny Lake Louise below me, far far down there?
This area is known for grizzly bears! Some of the trails were even closed because people had spotted the grizzlies. Yikes! I would be just the right size for a grizzly snack.
I kept my eyes out for bears, but mostly I enjoyed the view.
While I was sitting there quietly, everyone started pointing at me and acting excited! They looked through their binoculars towards me and I didn't know what was going on! Was I that famous? (This actually happened, while I was taking this photo, everyone started acting really really interested in Violet!)
But no, it wasn't me, they had spotted a grizzly bear on a far off hill! Wow!
A few days later we took a road trip to Jasper National Park on the beautiful Icefields Parkway!
There are so many awesome viewpoints along the parkway! This road has been voted as the #1 in a list of Best Drives Worldwide!
We even did a little hiking while there. Doesn't the mossy ground look like a good home for fairies?
I really love hiking through the woods.
And look what we found while there! Bear poo! Mama spotted it. A ranger told us what to look for when identifying bear poo, this was bear alright!
At the end of the trail we came to a really pretty view point of a river basin. I love Banff National Park!
Along the Icefields Parkway we entered Jasper National Park, another huge Canadian park!
Here is the Continental divide, where on one side rivers flow to the Atlantic Ocean, but in Jasper they flow to the Arctic!
Soon we see why this parkway is called "Icefields", we come across a huge glacier that is part of the enormous Columbia Icefield.
I've never stood at the base of a glacier before!
In the summer the glacier begins to melt and break and feed all the blue lakes and rivers here. But by October, it will freeze again and grow due to the winter snow!
Right past the glacier is this really pretty waterfall called Tangle Falls.
I love Jasper already!
The next day the weather is perfect and we go to Maligne Lake.
I had to take off my shoes and dip my feet in the water. It is cold!!! Only a few degrees above freezing.
Here I am with Mama at Maligne Lake.
We also took a little drive up to Mount Edith Cavell. This is one of the neatest mountains in all of Jasper because it has a lake at the bottom with real icebergs!
The next day we drove back down the Icefields Parkway and ended in the town of Banff. I love this waterfall behind me, it is called Bow River Falls.
Guess where we are off to next? They call it "The Canadian Castle!"
We checked into the historic Banff Springs Hotel, which was built about 100 years ago, and is huge, even if you're not 18" tall.
I could tell by the grand staircase that this was going to be a fancy hotel. Good thing I brought a skirt!
Our room was big and fancy and old fashioned. I loved it.
I was so excited to look around the hotel a little. It is so fancy, big and old! Guess what, these huge windows had been made in Checkoslovakia, loaded on a steam ship, transferred to a train, all before arriving here at the Banff Springs 120 years ago!
And look at the size of this fireplace!
There was one hall called The Spanish Walkway that made me think of Hogwarts!
I wonder if these stairs lead down to the Charms classroom...
Isn't this ballroom pretty? There are lots of big ballrooms here!
I love to look around outside too, the outside of this hotel is as pretty as the inside.
The hotel is up on the mountainside, which means there are really neat views all around.
But I like looking at the hotel most of all.
After two nights we check out of the Banff Springs and say goodbye to the pretty hotel.
But first we drive across the river for one last view of it. "Goodbye!"
Before leaving Banff National Park and heading home we spot this guy - a big horn sheep!
And we stoped at Vermilion Lakes to enjoy the Canadian Rocky Mountain scenery a little longer.
Now for some bonus photos that didn't fit into the album. Yes, this is the color of the lakes up there! Amazing!
On Lake Louise my husband and I rented a canoe. Violet stayed in the car, but we had such a wonderful time!
We also enjoyed the Banff Springs Willow Stream Spa. This mineral pool was so neat, if you dipped your head underwater you could listen to underwater music. Can you spot my husband in the back? He's in a waterfall pool.
The views of the hotel from the spa patio were so impressive. We can't wait to go back.
And, as some of you know, I'm pregnant! I reached my third trimester while in Canada. Here is a silly photo of my belly! (I have lots more personal photos on my blog, PM me for the address).
