The interview turned Rocky Mountain Adventure

I had only completed one shift at the science centre when D got an interview to work as a welder for a company that supplies the oil sand mines up North. It was a fantastic opportunity, only problem was the job was in Airdire - only about 15 mins north of Calgary but 3 hours south of St Albert. He wondered if he should even go to the interview because how would we make it work if he landed the job. We had no car, no house, next to no money and knew no one in that area to help us. After some careful consideration we decided it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up and somehow if he got the job we would just make it work. We decided to drive down for the interview and then back via Banff, Japser and the Icefields parkway so if he didn't get it the trip wasn't for nothing.

D's family lent us their van for the weekend and we set out on a cold but clear Thursday morning as the sun was just peaking above the horizon, it was around 8:30am... Despite visiting the states a couple of times and being in Canada for a few weeks already this was D's first time behind the wheel on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road. It was a pretty tense drive but the roads were fairly quiet and we made it to Airdrie without a hitch. I sat in the car while D went in for the interview and he emerged happy at how it had gone but not wanting to be over confident. We both agreed it was good to get the interview in any case and whatever happened was fine.

D having a go at driving

About 10 mins out of Airdrie we drove past the famous 'Bass Pro' which is a hunting/ fishing/ camping/ outdoor lovers paradise. Despite being many of these throughout the USA there are only 2 in all of Canada - would D be lucky enough to possibly live this close to one of them? As we drove past and the took the exit towards Banff our focus then shifted to the fact we were about to drive into the rocky mountains and we were both filled with so much excitement.

It only took just over an hour to reach the Banff park gates where we paid our fee and drove into the town. Understandably the town is very tourist oriented with hotels and souvenier shops lining the main road that drives through. We drove straight to the world famous Fairmont Banff Springs - it's the massive hotel surrounded by mountains and towering pines seen on most Canadian vacation advertisements. Rooms here start at $500 per night. Needless to say we took some photos and kept on driving! We visited bow falls then drove back to town to check into our hotel - the Banff Aspen Lodge. It was fairly modern and inexpensive with breakfast included and an awesome hot tub outside next to an open fireplace. 

Banff Ave, stunning mountains all around

Me feeding a beautiful mule deer on Banff Ave

D looking for fish at bow falls

Gorgeous sunset over the mountains, goodnight Banff

We weren't able to do or see a lot in Banff not just because of the time restraints or money but because we were visiting in an off season where many of the tourist attractions were closed such as the hot springs and gondola. Oh well we could do those things next time. The next morning we left Banff for Jasper via the Icefields parkway.

When we left it was starting to shower but during the 45 min trip to Lake Louise it began to snow, and it was pretty heavy snow! Not really the conditions we wanted on our first drive in Canada but we had no where to go but forward. Lake Louise was gorgeous but not really what I had expected. It's beautiful but compared to scenery we have seen in other parts of the world I didn't think it was anything that special. The visibility of the glacier behind was non existant due to fog and snow so we wandered into another ritzy hotel on the shore. It was a lovely place but I felt it detracted from the natural beauty of the lake. It didn't feel like we were in a National park.

Canoe rental hut on the shore of Lake Louise - also closed :(

D looking the part of a real local

Lake louise, would love to see it in better weather

The Icefields Parkway is one of the most scenic drives in the world and although it was terrible weather for most of the drive with poor visibility, massive snowfall and icy conditions we did manage to see lots of beautiful scenery and landmarks.

The clearing fog against the mounatins was stunning

I wanted to bottle this water and take it home, just gorgeous

One of the many canyons at Athabasca Falls

D looking cofused about all the rock formations people have left - have investigated an still don't know what this is all about

As we drove into Jasper the weather lifted and we were blessed with gorgeous clear blue skies and warmer weather, it really is like all seasons in one day here. Japser was lovely but a lot smaller than Banff. It looked a lot older as well, like Banffs poor little brother but we loved it. Most of our wildlife viewings were here as well.

We're there!

D got very excited about this - a whitetail deer the first he had seen

We strolled around the main street of Jasper for a while before getting in the car and driving about 10 mins out of town to our hotel on Pyramid Lake - so named because of the mountain that stands behind it. Just lovely and we took a canoe out that afternoon before the sun hid behind the surrounding mountains.

The canoe on the still waters of Pyramid Lake

I'm clearly doing all the work.. wishing I brough gloves cause my hands were frozen

As it turned out it was the best idea to do our canoe outing that afternoon as the next morning we woke to a beautiful winter wonderland. Its amazing the difference from one day to the next here. I wish we could have stayed a week at this place but alas we had to get in the car and drive these icy conditions all the way back to St Albert. I was concerned the roads would be closed but we made it through. There were plenty of cars turned on their roofs on the roadside though!

Tha afternoon we arrived - around 4pm

The morning we left - around 9am

A majestic male elk and his heard of women admirers

This coyote was next to the main road

Bighord sheep out in the elements

I was sorry to be leaving the mounatins, maybe the fact I grew up on a mountain means I will always feel familiar and at home in them. But for now it was back to reality and hoping that D landed a job soon!