Maligne Lake boat ride and Maligne Canyon

Maligne Lake is the largest lake in Jasper National Park, being approximately 14 miles long. The valley in which the lake lies was carved and excavated by valley glaciers, and is famed for the color of its water, the surrounding peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake… and Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the world. The group took a 90 minute ride to the Island and back:

The Maligne Valley is riddled by the most extensive "karst" system in the world. A karst system is a geological formation of caves above and below ground level. In the case of the Maligne Valley, no one knows just where water from Maligne Lake goes.

When traced by dyes it has taken anywhere from half a day to a week for the water to make the trip from Medicine Lake to Maligne Canyon, a distance of about ten miles. Even then, the dyes didn't show up at only one final destination. Dyes turned up in the Canyon, Lac Beauvert by Jasper Park Lodge, and in several of the other lakes between.

This innocent looking river goes from this………to this…eroding deep canyons in the softer limerock!

Tomorrow, we explore the nearby icefields, so check back and enjoy with us.  Oh, we saw a small bear en route this morning, a mule deer along the lake today, and two elk last evening after dinner.  Pam saw even more elk in the CG, and will send me some photos.

Jasper is great!

Rocky Mountain high!

Banff Gondola goes up to the top of that mountain, up to about 8,000’…and windy:

This is the Banff Springs Hotel where we were Wednesday:

This guy was in the road as we left Tunnel Mountain, just before entering town:

And this guy was spotted enjoying his lunch, near the BS Hotel…yep, even closer as we got back to town, seeking our own lunch:

Here is the promised bear photo:

Everyone had a free afternoon, then we met for social time and a discussion of our departure for today (then we went to an Irish pub for dinner and music!).

We are all rolling to Jasper today to our final group CG.  Again, we will be staying in a provincial park, and seeking out internet in town when we can, so the adventure continues, but reporting will be as able. 

Glad y’all are coming along for the ride with us!  Leave us a comment, please…

Oh Canada, eh!

Another beautiful day in Banff yesterday.  Some went to the local farmer’s market and/or the library, and Mickey D’s (free wifi):

Then everyone met for a delightful guided tour of the Banff Springs Hotel, a luxury hotel that was built during the 19th century as one of Canada's grand railway hotels, constructed in Scottish Baronial style.  The hotel is located within a spectacular setting in the Rocky Mountains, just above the Bow Falls, and close to thermal springs.

Paul promised to behave, so we successfully pleaded for his release:

Dinner and entertainment last night was “Oh Canada Eh! in nearby Canmore.  It was a delightful selection of songs by Canadian singers/songwriters, performed by a cast that made us laugh, clap our hands, tap our toes, and occasionally sing along:

Lucky Jim was serenaded by a “saloon gal.”  Carol didn’t mind:

More photos later.  We are off seeing more beautiful scenery here in Banff today, our last day here.  Time is flying!

Hello from Beautiful Banff!

Here we are visiting Moraine Lake yesterday:



Earlier as we left the campground, we saw a park ranger with a directional antennae on the road shoulder. Thirty seconds later, we saw what he was searching for...a small bear crossed the road in front of us!
(Imagine a brown bear here...). I couldn't get the iPad out fast enough for a photo, but will get one later.

We motored down the road and checked out the historical markers for the Spiral Tunnels, a method developed for getting trains through mountains when it was too steep to go straight ahead. It was quite active yesterday.

Lunch was at a small restaurant on Emerald Lake, a stop to see Takkakaw Falls, then on to gorgeous, famous Lake Louise. During our social time, Sandy K entertained us with a few songs on her beautiful, walnut dulcimer. Impressive!

On Monday (since there was no post), a local historian entertained and educated us with old photos and a fascinating history lesson of the area at Whyte Museum here in Banff. Afterward, we toured the museum on our own before heading out to seek dinner in town.



Banff is another area to add to your bucket list. Seriously.

Touring, learning, and sharing with friends. That's what the MiMs do. And today is a free morning...which means...look for free wifi in town...hello library!Lots of good stuff is planned for the afternoon and evening, eh! Stay tuned.

Life is good! WYWH!!!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Calgary Tower lunch; Heritage Park

The Calgary Tower is a 626' free standing observation tower, built as part of an urban renewal plan and to celebrate Canada's centennial of 1967.

Tables by the window, please.  We all enjoyed a tasty meal, and a full rotation of the mighty Calgary Tower on Saturday before heading out to the Stampede.  How’s that for a view?

As Canada's largest living history museum, Heritage Park Historical Village is one of the Calgary's most visited tourist attractions.  Exhibits span Western Canadian history from the 1860s to the 1950s. You will see Western Canada's iconic past not only preserved, but also presented alive and in great working condition.  Many of the buildings are historical and were transported to the park to be placed on display. Others are re-creations of actual buildings. Most of the structures are furnished and decorated with genuine artifacts.  Staff dress in historic costume, and antique automobiles and horse-drawn vehicles service the site. 

Wagon tours, a train ride, or a cruise on Glenmore Reservoir on a paddlewheel boat are good choices for excellent park sightseeing.  A stop in Alberta Bakery is highly recommended for delicious cinnamon buns.  Trust me on that.  The park offers attractions and treats for everyone.

Thanks to our Monaco caravan mates for singing “Happy Anniversary” to Dick and me last night.  It was fun celebrating with all of you!

As we begin our trek to Banff today, let me say that we will be staying at provincial parks for the rest of the caravan…which translates to beauty, but NO Internet.  We will be seeking a signal in town, so posts may be spotty and/or short, depending on what we can find.  The news will be forthcoming, so don’t give up checking back here.  Often.

Miles and smiles, y’all!  Tails wagging today.

And…they’re off!

Oh My Goodness!  Chuck wagon racing was exciting, to say the least.  This was a first experience for many of us.  Four teams first line up around their particular numbered barrel.  When each is in place the automatic buzzer activates the GO alert (a team in the last heat couldn’t settle down—race horses being race horses wanted to RUN—so they had to go out and come back in and line up all over again), then the driver whistles and they are off.  FAST…and around the whole track they go.  Hooves thundering, dirt flying, and the ground shaking:

And the finish line is that pole, center stage edge…all automated.  And the crowd goes wild:

Here is a taste of the beginning of the Rangeland Derby:

The TransAlta Grandstand Show after the races was beyond awesome.  The stage was brought out from just beyond the track, then entertainment began that literally rocked the stadium from beginning to the final blasts of the evening!

This stage is the most technically advanced and largest outdoor production facility in the WORLD.  And the entertainment just rocked on:

The annual Calgary Stampede, “The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth,” was 100 years old in 2012, and is truly the granddaddy of all rodeos.  Put this on your bucket list.

Happy Sunday, everyone!

Happy (4th) Campers having fun…

Here is the Monaco-in-Motion group waiting for the Calgary Stampede Parade to begin.  It lasted for two hours!

We saw horses, bands, more horses, military, carriages, wagons, tanks, bagpipers, floats, old vehicles…yikes.  Did I mention it lasted two hours?!  The bleachers were not soft, but the entertainment was outstanding.  And the Grand Marshall…was William Shatner!

These were the same kids we saw at the Sports Museum on Thursday.  They are from Australia, and were thrilled to be performing at this event:

One of the many floats…

We all successfully hopped back on the Light Rail, and headed to the Stampede Rodeo immediately after the parade ended in downtown Calgary.  Yessirree, bulls, horses, calves, cowboys, cowgirls, and racing barrels…along with typical fair food of every description being offered along the midway, as well as games of chance.  The Stampede has it all.  And lots of people everywhere.

We were blessed with sunshine, unlike the rain that prevailed last year.  Being Independence Day for the US, they had a young lady sing our national anthem while a gal on horseback paraded the US flag around the inside of the whole stadium.  It was quite touching, and very appreciated.  Then the action really began:

I deleted quite a few of the 300+ photos I took yesterday, but if anyone wants to see ALL of them, just let me know!

The Calgary Tower is on the agenda for today, followed by another round back at the Stampede…for some special entertainment tonight.  This is our final day here in the Calgary area.  Tomorrow, we move on.  There is still much to see and do.

Life is good north of the border!  Happy Saturday to all.