To Banff – the Icefield Parkway

The Icefield Parkway is known as one of the most beautiful drives in the world, following the Rockies between the iconic parks of Banff and Jasper and this was the route we drove on the 16 July 2012. I had been looking forward to this drive almost as much as I was looking forward to saying a farewell to the mosquitoes of Jasper. 

Part of the Promenade

The Icefield Parkway has several other names. The bureaucrat knows it as Highway 93. This name has never really caught on it touristic circles. Given that this is Canada one should mention the French name – “Promenade des Glaciers » - a name that I actually prefer.

So we left travelling south  along the Promenade des Glaciers. The weather was a little cloudy but the views still clearly on the amazing side of the spectrum.

The shrinking Athabasca Glacier

We visited Athabasca Falls. We visited Athabasca Glacier.

Remember we rafted down part of the Athabasca River.

There is not a lot of business along this little road and one place where we stopped we reneged on lunching by virtue of the extreme prices - $6 for a three buck packet of crisps was all we could afford to try to keep hunger at bay.

Clarks Nutcracker

Some guy by the Promenade des Glaciers

Tom with Jasper souvenir

Water under the influence of gravity

Like - a lake

Eventually we arrived at the Ramada at Canmore where we bathed. Ate and slept – in that order. Motels are particularly nice after several days camping........