This was our 16th Gate 1 trip!
Day 1 - Arrived late afternoon in Edmonton, the capital of Canada's Alberta Province. We had time to walk down past the historic MacDonald Hotel.
To the river.
From there we went to dinner and enjoyed some local beer.
Other than Canadian flags, Edmonton could be anywhere in the US.
Day 2 - Elk Island National Park and University of Alberta
Botanic Garden
On the way to Elk Island, we passed some amazingly large oil refineries. Oil is a big deal here with the 2nd largest oil sands area in the world.
Day 2 - Elk Island National Park and University of Alberta
Botanic Garden
On the way to Elk Island, we passed some amazingly large oil refineries. Oil is a big deal here with the 2nd largest oil sands area in the world.
Our day began at Elk Island National Park, founded in the late 1800's as a wildlife refuge for preservation of elk herds in the area. There is no Island, and the Park is more of a bison preserve than elk.
We saw some of the herd today. Apparently, they are very spread out; so, hard to view. There are also elk, moose, beaver, wolves and coyotes in the Park, but even more difficult to see, as we saw none.
This is a picture of a bison wallow.
In the early 1900's Canada was trying to save the bison because 30 million were killed in North America in the 1800's.
A herd of 250 bison ended up at Elk Island because the preserve where they were supposed to be sent was not ready. Several years later most of the herd was sent to the new preserve. However, they couldn't round up all of the bison and today there are 2000 of them at Elk Island. Elk Island can only support that number. Every year the herd increases by 20% and every year the Park rounds up and ships off to other locations about 250 of the bison. The bison have gone to other places in Canada, the US and even Russia. These pictures are from the round up area.
The Park is divided by a major highway and is fenced in on both sides. North of the highway are Woods Bison, which are larger, and South of the highway are Plains Bison. These bison only have bison genes and not any cow genes, which is common in commercial herds.
From there we traveled to the University of Edmonton Botanic Garden. Very nice. It is actually 66 separate gardens in one.
From there we traveled to the University of Edmonton Botanic Garden. Very nice. It is actually 66 separate gardens in one.
We spent most of our time in the Aga Khan Garden,
Patrick Seymour Alpine Garden,
the Kyrimoto Japanese Garden,
and the Showhouses.
This is a picture from the Indigenous People Garden.
After we returned to the Westin, we went down to the Saskatchewan River again. We rode the Funicular up and down the hill.
We went to several viewing spots along the river while walking on the Trans Canada Trail.
This is a picture of the new Convention Center.
Day 3 - Travel to Jasper
Our day started with a stop in the small town of Edson. We visited the museum at the visitor's center. It had a lot of interested things from times past.
Our day started with a stop in the small town of Edson. We visited the museum at the visitor's center. It had a lot of interested things from times past.
It also had a collection of stuffed animals. The size of the wolf was a surprise.
Jasper is an alpine community with dramatic views of the Rocky Mountains. We walked around town for several hours, taking in the views of the town and mountains.
Then we went to a presentation by Andrew Manske, world renowned wildlife documentary filmmaker. He talked about his 5-year journey to become the 1st person to ever film wolverines in the wild. Very interesting! We certainly know a lot more about wolverines now.
We walked down the hill to get our picture with the Jasper sign.
It seems the longest trains in the world pass along these tracks in Jasper. The maximum number of cars is 175. Every train must have that many and it sure takes a long time.
Day 4 - Jasper National Park, Maligne Canyon, Spirit Island Cruise, and Pyramid Mountain
Our hotel was within, but not in Jasper National Park since the entire town of Jasper is surrounded by the park. The weather had called for rain. It was not to be. After the fog lifted, we had beautiful blue skies all day.
We saw 2 female elk early morning, our only major wildlife of the day.
Our 1st stop of the day was Maligne Canyon and Falls, which is connected to Maligne Lake.
Our hotel was within, but not in Jasper National Park since the entire town of Jasper is surrounded by the park. The weather had called for rain. It was not to be. After the fog lifted, we had beautiful blue skies all day.
We saw 2 female elk early morning, our only major wildlife of the day.
Our 1st stop of the day was Maligne Canyon and Falls, which is connected to Maligne Lake.
On the canyon trail were 3-million-year-old fossils.
The area has had a number of forest fires in recent past.
From there we went to Medicine Lake. Beautiful mountains.
Then we went to Maligne Lake.
It was surrounded by magnificent mountains with some glaciers.
We boarded a boat to Spirit Island, the iconic crown jewel of Jasper National Park. Spirit Island is sacred for the Stoney people of the 1st nation and only they are allowed on this Island.
Our last stop of the day was Pyramid Mountain, Lake and Island. On the island our tour manager, Jeff, introduced us to maple whiskey, cream and cookies. Maple is big in this area. Good taste for the whiskey. Nice tree stump on the island. The pink colors on the side of the mountain were created by pink quartzite.
Day 5 - Athabasca Falls, Glacier Skywalk & Adventure, and Lake Louise
On the way out of Jasper we again saw elk. This time there were males, as well.
Then we drove by the Tangle Falls.
Our 1st stop of the day was Athabasca Falls. Really powerful and picturesque and lots of places to take pictures close up.
Then we drove along the Athabasca River on the Icefields Parkway with the Endless Mountains peaks in the background. The water is flowing from the Columbia Icefields.
We had a short rest stop at the Sunwapta Fall Resort. Jeff provided us another Canadian treat. This one chocolate. No falls picture but got these 2 totems in one.
The Stutfield Glacier was the next short stop with its 2000 ft vertical drop. Amazing!
We continued to the Columbia Icefield Center to view the Icefield and Glacier; glaciers move, icefields don't.
Next was the highlight of the day, a ride up the Athabasca Glacier on an Ice Explorer and walking on the Glacier. The Glacier is 450ft deep and 2 square miles and retreating more each year. The entire Icefield is 50 square miles.
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The lake across front the Center is called Ripple Lake. It is the only geothermal lake in the area, never freezes and is used as the water supply for the Center.
Afterwards, we walked on the cliff-edge Glacier Skywalk viewing panoramas from a clear glass platform nearly 900 feet high.
We passed more majestic mountains and Waterfall Lake.
Peyto Lake was next.
Bow Lake was the last stop of the day. There were even a few people crazy enough to swim in the 40-degree water of the lake.
Lastly, we arrived at our hotel located in Lake Louise in historic Banff National Park. Finally, got to see a sunset.
Day 6 - Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and Travel to Banff
It's been very dry with low humidity on this trip. No matter how much we hydrate, our skin, lips and mouths are always dry.
1st stop of the day was Lake Louise. Lake Louise is the most visited location in Banff National Park. No wonder. It is incredibly scenic. It's 250 ft deep, 1/2 mile wide, a mile long and never gets a above 38 degrees.
Cathy's says these are her 2 best pictures of the trip.
The Seven Sisters.
We then went to Moraine Lake, another beautiful picture spot. We climbed up the rock pile to get the best views of the lake, glacier, mountains and valley. On the way up, got a picture of a marmot.
Cloudy this afternoon. Our 3rd lake of the day before getting into Banff was Emerald Lake. It was underwhelming after the 2 earlier lakes. It's in the Yoho National Park in British Columbia. That's a positive.
Got a nice picture of a large raven.
After that we went right down the road to the Natural Bridge. The Natural Bridge is on the Kicking Horse River and has some big water.
Looking for wildlife, we saw this group in a field. We expected to see more wildlife on this trip than we did.
Our last stop before arriving at our hotel was Lake Minnewanka, the only man-made lake we saw on this trip.
Day 7- Banff National Park, Banff Gondola, and Cave and Basin National Historic Site
The Banff National Park area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It rained overnight and was pretty cloudy this morning. Our day started with a trip up the Banff Gondola. It was really foggy going up.
The Banff National Park area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It rained overnight and was pretty cloudy this morning. Our day started with a trip up the Banff Gondola. It was really foggy going up.
We can never escape the bears.
There was some clearing at the top.
It was just as foggy going down though.
From there we went to Cave and Basin National Historic Site. The cave is short in height and length.
At the end is the geothermal hot spring. The Sulphur smell is not Sulphur at all but is created by microorganisms.
This hole above is where the cave was 1st discovered.
We followed the spring to its source outside the mountain. The hole from above looking down.
Lots of chemicals in the water.
Steam vents.
The source outside the mountain.
Bow Falls. Very nice! Good view of the rock formations.
Then to Surprise Corner to view Banff Springs Hotel, the Castle of the Rockies with over 500 rooms and 1000 employees.
The Hoodoo Viewpoint was next.
We walked around for several hours stopping at the train station during a brief shower. The only moose we'll see on this trip.
Then we went to the Banff sign.
While walking we passed by the Catholic Church.
Walked downtown before dinner. The forest fires smoke came into town this evening.
We went out for dinner at Eddie Burger and Bar for a bison burger and poutine. Very good!
Day 8 - Travel to Calgary
On the way out of Banff passed the 3 sisters mountain, Faith, Hope and Charity.
On the way out of Banff passed the 3 sisters mountain, Faith, Hope and Charity.
It was smoky again today.
On the way to Calgary, we left the mountains behind.
Stopped at Heritage Historical Village and discovered "How the West was Once". It's divided into different time periods 1860s to1920s. It's mostly original historic structures that were transported there to preserve the heritage of western Canada. Unfortunately, it closed the day before except for weekends. We had a private tour of the Village, but most things were closed.
We were able to enjoy the Rail Yard including the roundhouse and walking through train cars, (glad we didn't have to ride trains then.)
This engine lifts crashed cars back on the track.
1st class!
The Colonist was the standard car that moved people west.
Our favorite was the Snowplow kept in the Roundhouse. It was massive.
Bow Valley Standard, a newspaper,
The printing press on the right weighed 6 tons.
the Cottage Hospital
and more.
We really enjoyed admiring all the cars,
picture of Calgary Bay in Scotland for which the city is named,
trucks,
signs,
and pumps.
Then we went to the Calgary Stampede. The actual Stampede is in July, but we were able to roam around and see some sights.
We ended up the day in downtown Calgary to view many of the sights. We went to so many places can't remember all of them, but included, the Brotherhood of Mankind sculpture,
the Calgary tower,
Iron Horse,
another moose,
Canadian women's suffrage statue,
city hall and missing indigenous children memorial,
interesting building,
this sculpture represents palm trees,
and the Conversation statue.
We ended the day at our hotel which is just a walk across the street to the airport. That night at the farewell dinner our tour manager, Jeff played the guitar and sang for us. 1st time in 16 Gate 1 trips that happened. He was good too!
Day 9 - Fly home to ATL
