Gratitude Monday -- Remains To Be Seen Edition

For our Saturday hike we dipped into Banff National Park and did part of the Howse Pass.
That's an undeveloped and flat way to get from Alberta to BC.
We got as far as the Howse River, about 5 km down the path of the 28.8 km hike.
Hikers like the trail and pack trips are often made along the route.
It is wonderful. It's beautiful and wild and home to plants and trees and wildlife that remain relatively unmolested by civilization.
I am grateful for that, and grateful that we made the walk.
There's a steep bit at the start of the hike as the path descends into Mistaya Canyon, crosses the Mistaya River, and climbs up a wee bit before all but leveling out until descending into the river bottom of the Howse River.

But every lustrum or so some politically-excited fellow decides there should be a highway through the Howse Pass.
This nonsense has been going on for decades now. The point of the argument is economic, nothing else.
Howse Pass is just south of where Highway 11 meets the Icefields Parkway so if it is punched through the wilderness, it'll bring more people to Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House and assorted other Central Alberta locations.

The subject comes up, enjoys a bit of press in Central Alberta, and then dies until the next person thinks what a good idea it is.
It isn't, and I am grateful that the idea has been stomped down each and every time it comes up.
Further, I have it on good authority that it is only an issue in Central Alberta.
No one else knows and no one else cares. I am grateful for that.
And if it ever became the subject of national discussion plenty of people would care enough to stomp the idea out again.
The undeveloped pass remains to be seen.
I am grateful for that, too.

Looking east from the Howse River.

Looking north and a bit west.

Gratitude Monday - Walks On The Wild Side Edition

We went hiking on the weekend and for it I am grateful. But what I am even more grateful for is that hikes exist.
It's struck me the last two hikes we were on that someone went exploring, decided a route would make a great recreational hike, and that work got done to make it a physical reality.
It was never anything I gave much thought to until the other day.
Well-signed, well packed mountain hikes, or any walk for that matter, should not be taken for granted. They need to found and decided on. Trails need to be made and kept up, and the people who do it dedicate time, money and resources so others can walk through the bush safely.
So thank you to everyone who ever had anything to do with any hike anywhere that made it so.

The hike to Silverton Falls, Banff National Park, Alberta, looking westward.
The light portion between the trees and mountains is the Trans-Canada Highway.

Gratitude Monday --Up To It Edition

I am so grateful that I get to go hiking in the mountains pretty much whenever I want. My husband and I have gone out at least a dozen times since mid-April and each one has been wonderful.
We've often gone on hikes along the David Thompson Highway, that's the road that links Rocky Mountain House to the Banff National Park gate. We've got great hikes in Clearwater County and I am beside myself to live here.
We've also gone into Banff or Jasper Park for hikes. I am tickled even sillier to live so close to these magnificent mountain gems.
On Saturday we went to Banff Park and did most of a hike that goes to an old, abandoned forestry lookout on Mt. Sarbach.
It was hot and humid. I was in a plodding along in a steep pitch, that is, walk 10 feet and rest for 30 seconds or so. Mike went on ahead to scout the trail for us.
When he came back down we decided we'd done enough and turned back.
I am grateful I got as far as I did, grateful we turned back when we did, and so very, very grateful that with each hike I go farther up the trails than I ever have, that I have what feels like boundless energy to do it, and that we have the time to go out for drives and hikes in the Rockies.

Here's a pic looking south from somewhere high up on the trail.

Gratitude Monday --Mountain Feasts Edition

Jasper and Banff National Parks are a short, easy drive from my home in Rocky Mountain House.

Highway 11, a.k.a. The David Thompson Highway, passes through Rocky on its way to join Highway 93, a.k.a. the Columbia Icefields Parkway.
The parkway is the portion of Highway 93 through the two parks beginning at Jasper townsite and ending at the Trans-Canada near Lake Louise.
It's about a two hour drive west from my house to Saskatchewan Crossing. That's where #11 meets #93.
The mountains begin about an hour west of Rocky.
It's fairly easy to go out for a hike, or a drive.  I am so grateful I get to live here and that we have enough sense to get out and enjoy the mountains as we can.
This year we've been picnicking, too.
They are simple affairs: gluten free bread or crackers, cheese, sausage, water, Coca-Cola, but with the sight of the mountains and the spicing of the fresh air, they are feasts.

This photo taken by Mike on Saturday is at a scenic stop just south of Saskatchewan Crossing in Banff National Park.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Along The Parkway

This scene is in Banff National Park. It's the stopping point for the Weeping Wall, but this is a fine scene in its own right.

Please click to get the big picture.

 

Photo-Finish Friday --Leaving the Park

This is what you see when you leave Banff National Park heading east on Highway 11 a.k.a. The David Thompson Highway.
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I strongly recommend clicking over to get the full screen. You don't have to, but it will enhance your experience.

In The Summertime

I'm getting a wee bit lonesome for green.
Winter is a fine time of year and I am so very glad to live in a climate where there's a clear distinction between the seasons. But I could do with seeing fresh new life poking its way out of the warming ground.
It's going to be awhile yet before we see any plant younglings so I decided to put up a summer photo to remind me that life will return.

And here's a bonus because I like to look at mountains.

Both photos are taken along the David Thompson Highway (Hwy. 11) in or near Banff National Park.

Gratitude Monday - Flowing Better Edition

The Weeping Wall in Banff National Park

We visited the Weeping Wall during our recent drive along the Icefields Parkway. I am grateful to pass along the waterfalls on it look healthier than they have in the past few years.
I love this spot. It's peaceful, protected, and shaded. There's a good-sized pullout on the opposite side of the road which makes for good viewing, and there's a very pleasant body of water along the road.
It's a nice place for a break during the drive and I take one there whether I need it or not. Water, running or still, restores my soul.
The Weeping Wall is flowing better this year. I am, too, for having seen it, and I am grateful for it.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Peyto Lake

Peyto Lake in Banff National Park from the lookout at Bow Summit.

Gratitude Monday -- Reflective Edition

Waterfowl Lake, Banff National Park

Still lakes in the early morning offer grand reflections of their surroundings. On Saturday we were up and away early enough to catch this sight on Waterfowl Lake.

It's moments like this that make me as reflective as the still waters. I am grateful for many things, including how close I live to the Jasper-Banff Highway.
This road, also known as the Columbia Icefields Parkway, runs through Jasper and Banff National Parks and offers the most stunning mountain scenery in the world. I can be in Jasper, Banff, or Lake Louise in a few hours, or I can drive along the highway for the sheer joy of seeing the sights and still be home in the evening.
What sights are you grateful for?

Mountains Make It Better

Taken near Saskatchewan River Crossing on the Banff-Jasper Parkway just inside Banff National Park. Click, enlarge, enjoy.

I find mountains calming. They have a grounding energy and a quiet, graceful deliberateness that counteracts all the rushing about, worry, stress, and silly need for constant contact we have in our world today.

Give me a lonesome day in the fresh air surrounded by trees and a mountain to sit with and I am happy.

What about you? What brings you peace?