Jasper to Banff

A very wet night in Jasper had us heading for the local Pizza restaurant and an early night. The temperature plummeted. Brrr.

We awoke to wet bike and blue sky.  Why did I clean my bike the previous night?

Weather forecast was favourable but its alpine here and we kitted up with the wet weather gear.

Off we rolled alone down highway 93. Hmm that cloud looks black, and those look low.

The mountains glimpsed through the cloud where reminiscent of Lord of the Rings.  Why did he make those films in NZ? Just as well Pete is a loyal Kiwi, we saw a few hundred mountains here that he could have used as "ring ins" bad pun.

We where so engrossed Mark had trouble keeping an eye on the road and Gerry couldn't keep up with the photo opportunities.  Hope we see a bear, maybe a moose.

After only about 30 km we happened upon the spectacular Athabasca falls. Worth a stop and wander around. The Country side had definitely become alien in the last few days, now there was no way you could be any where other then the Rocky Mountains. You could almost imagine a bear fishing in the water.

As usual a few people got talking to us and some of the group. People are always friendly and interested in what you are up to.

The drivers are more aggressive then America but not as bad as us Kiwis. speed limits have me flummoxed. 40 kmh over the limit and your vehicle is confiscated for a few weeks. No ifs, no buts. It doesn't stop them fair cracking along at about that speed though.

Another period of sunnyish great views then the a bit of rain. Lucky I got a sissy's bike with a big fairing then. It also kept out the cold, it was 40 degrees and sometimes colder. We however were snug on the bike. It didn't last and we were back into dry roads and sun.

Then we saw  two bears on the side of the road, they shot into some grass but we slowed right down and got a good look. A mother and cub. What a buzz to see them in the wild! Gerry snapped a couple of picks. As you can see they didn't come out quite as I expected.

Mother Bear with Cub. A portrait of two Bears by Gerry Fink

The road climbed and we hit the snow line. Waterfalls, glaciers, rocky out crops, massive mountains and blue river water. I cant think what to say. It left us speechless.

This went on for mile after mile.

The heavens opened and we had a wet half hour until we nearly hit Banff. Then it was blue, blue blue.

Banff is a Queenstown like ski resort and our home for two nights.

Portrait of a deer by Gerry Fink. With a deer.

I cant believe we are in the rocky mountains, in Canada. Holy moly!!!!