Jane and I had an unforgettable post-convention trip through some of Alberta and British Columbia’s national parks, made even more memorable by sharing it with Vincent and his wife, Chen. We bussed from Calgary to Banff, a busy town with boutiques, restaurants, and tourists from around the world. Intermittent rain dampened our guided tour to Lake Louise and the spectacular Moraine Lake, but it didn’t dampen our spirits or detract from the beautiful turquoise waters and snow-capped, rugged peaks. Fortunately, the weather improved for the remainder of our journey.
From Banff, we travelled to Jasper, taking in many picturesque sights and visiting the Athabasca Glacier, and the Columbia Icefield Skywalk (250m to the valley floor below). Boarding the impressive 1.2‑million‑dollar Ice Explorer coaches, we were transported down the steep lateral moraine and onto the glacier itself, where we tried to stay upright and dry while crunching through ancient ice underfoot.
Along the highways, we were lucky enough to spot several bears (including a pair of cubs that scampered up a roadside tree) along with the occasional deer and elk.
In Jasper, a town still recovering from the ravages of a massive forest fire, we boarded the Rocky Mountaineer, Gold Leaf class - very nice! Our glass-domed carriage provided panoramic views of forests, lakes, and rushing rivers on Day 1, contrasting with arid, rocky valleys as we departed from our overnight stop in Kamloops and finally vast expanses of fertile agricultural land as we approached Vancouver on Day 2. Meals were served downstairs in the elegant dining area of the same carriage, white napery setting the scene for beautifully prepared dishes, delivered by exceptionally friendly waiters.
Until we were planning our trip to Canada, I had not heard of the Rocky Mountaineer. However, discussing this trip with people, I have been surprised by the number of people from our demographic who have done it. If you haven't, add it to your bucket list.