Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks, Canada

Day 1 and 2 = driving
Day 3 and 4 = Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks

Canadian National Parks

Magnificent Mountains. Rushing Rivers. Turquoise Lakes. Minute Wildflowers.

Impressive peaks and mountains greeted our eyes as we entered Banff, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks. I wasn't prepared for the color of the water. Glacier sediment suspended in the lakes and rivers is what causes the water to create an intense turquoise and occasionally emerald color. It was breath taking! We hiked to so many lakes and waterfalls, each one rivaling the next!

Jadeyn was an excellent hiker. So happy to be with some cousins, he ran and romped with them up and down the trails, holing their hands and relishing the attention. Occasionally, he would be pampered with a ride in Kevin's backpack, but he was always anxious to get back on the ground and run.











Takakkaw Falls was one of the falls that was so huge that pictures can't quite give it the proper description. The name itself means "it is magnificent," and it was. Towering above us, the spray drenches those who ventured closer. I remained at the base with Jadeyn who did what he always does out in the wild: he found a nice puddle, some pebbles and was happy as could be!
























Moraine Lake
I couldn't imagine that a lake could be this lovely of a color until I saw it with my own eyes. What a display of nature!!!! We climbed up stone steps carved into the mountain to be greeted by a splash of blue that rivaled the sky! Wow!!!

Wildlife

We saw more Mountain Goats than we could count on one of our drives, and a nice pair o Big Horn Sheep adamently blocking traffic!
But alas...the allusive Canadian Moose escaped us!

Johnston Canyon

Johnston Canyon was the highlight of the Canadian Parks for us. A narrow rickety feeling walkway clung to the side of the canyon, at times suspending itself way out over the roaring river. The water cascading below us occasionally would break away from carving itself into the rock walls and plummet for impressive waterfalls. Every turn brought a beautiful photo opportunity, and believe me, we took our share!

"By such a river it is impossible to believe that one will ever be tired or old.
Every sense applauds it."
"Watch its racing current, its steady renewal of force: it is transient and eternal."

Going through a natural tunnel which the river carved into the rock. Jadeyn, of course, is "holding up the walls" with his hands like he does through any tunnel or underpass!

Another spectacular and unique waterfall in Johnston Canyon. This one travels both over and under the rock. Look closely.

"...it was pure delight to be where the land lifted in peaks and plunged in canyons, and to sniff air thin, spray-cooled, full of pine and spruce smells..." Wallace Stegner

"...the whisper of blown and scattered spray gathering itself and beginning to flow again, secret and irresistible, among the rocks..."
"I was fascinated by how it sped and yet was always there;
its roar shook both the earth and me."