Canadian friends and family

Although our planned destination of Glacier National Park was being washed away in floods, we were still able to rendezvous with our Calgary friends by changing our destination to Banff.  Knowledgeable of the park, they proved to be wonderful tour guides.  Our first hike was above the town of Banff in the park named Banff.  Confusing, but lovely!

The vistas were startlingly beautiful, even to a westerner used to the big vistas!

Our hikes led us to mountain teahouses, frozen lakes, waterfalls, and more.

Spotted this mama mountain goat and baby on the rocky cliff.

Weather was sketchy the first day, but our next two days of hiking were superb!

We met Sherry Humphry and her daughter, Avery, while working with their Medical Teams International Group in Nicaragua.  We hit it off and decided to plan a trip to their stomping grounds.  It was great to get to know their  menfolk and son/brother (not pictured) over the four days of togetherness.

The glaciers there form high on the cliffs and then come crashing down in avalanches, as pictured here.  Too bad you can't here it!

We were often surrounded by multiple pointy, precipitous peaks.

We were also delighted to be visited by this big beefy long-tailed marmot---heftier than the Olympic Mountain species that Dirk and I are very familiar with.

After one hike we came down to tourist town and soaked our feet in the famous Lake Louise!

Had to take a picture by the most photographed lake in the world.  We had just come down from near the glaciers pictured in the back of this shot.

Our campground was surrounded by an electric fence to keep the grizzlies out, since it is located in a major byway of same.

Fence was good since I am sure the bears would have been attracted by the "spidy-dogs" we learned how to make from the Humphrey's.  Also got to roast mega-marshmellows for the first time. 

When we had to go our separate ways, Dirk and I headed north toward Jasper National Park for a brief visit.  More incredible views from the car and the road that travels through a huge glacial valley.

Destination in Jasper was the Colombia Ice Field, where the Colombia River is created.  The glaciers have receded 60% since a century ago.  Still creating rivers though.

Took a brief hike to another amazingly turquoise lake at the edge of an icefield.  Just us and the Japanese.

I love this picture which highlights the color of the water in sun and shadow.

Driving the scenic Icefields Parkway is a visual experience unparalleled elsewhere.

Raced a herd of Big Horn mamas and their babies while leaving Jasper.

Dirk being a bad tourist and touching the wildlife of Canada.

Departing Alberta and headed for British Colombia, we encountered first a grizzly grazing by the road and then this family group of Mountain goats licking salt from the side of the road.

This black bear was eating horsetails along the scenic drive in Revelstoke and, although you cannot see it, its baby is in the fir tree behind it.  We watched her for quite awhile.

Into the lowlands of Revelstoke National Park, we Reveled in the giant skunk cabbages.

With slugs

and big trees, we feel we are getting very close to home!

But one last stop.....in Vancouver......to visit Rick and Caitlin.  We enjoyed an evening walk to Trout Lake.

 

While Caitlin got oriented to her new job, we visited a local brewery with Rick's friend, Phil.

Then continued our amazing bike ride through the urban landscape and various bike routes of Vancouver.

Of course, we had to stop by Homesteader's Emporium to see what is new and different.  Here Caitlin models a new product, elastic bowl covers.  Of course, in a pinch they double as berets!

Dirk gets his fix of cat play with their kitty.

After a 2-3/4 hour wait at the border, we finally make it into Washington for the first time in 9 months!  We are greeted with a light Washington drizzle.  Thank you for following our adventures throughout North America.  Now it is time for the next phase of our retirement!