From Calgary going south.

We left Banff National Park and drove to Calgary to visit Maria and Fred,friends of Al and Sally.We had met them a few times in Yuma,Arizona. Since they had plans for the next few days,we went that afternoon and had a few very nice and happy hours together.
The next morning we drove to Fort Macleod,only a short drive.We stayed there two days.We rested up a bit,drove to the nearby Buffalo-Hunt Museum,and later in to the City,just in time to watch the show of the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police]at the Fort.
Next day we left for the Border,the crossing took about one hour,and then driving south on the Hwy.15 through Montana to Hwy 86/84 east in Idaho with some overnight camping on the way.We are right now close to Twin Falls and will get tomorrow some information on Rafting or Kayaking on the Snake River,which passes through here. It is really hot here right now,97 F today,and a trip like that could be a lot of fun.

Banff National Park

Banff is a beautiful Mountain Village,actually much bigger then we expected.The first afternoon we walked through the main part of the Town and ended up in the Cascade Gardens,adjoining the Administration Building.We enjoyed the masses of Flowers in all colour combinations,all arranged in steps going up a Hill,with many Benches and Gazebos made of polished Wood.You could spend hours just walking ,admiring and taking photos. The next day we visited the Indian Heritage Museum,which had some large lifelike scenes in there.We watched part of a Buddist Wedding Ceremany in the Park,had some early dinner in town with a view at the lively street below.Went up to the famous Fairmont Hotel and finally back to our "Home",tired again from all the walking.I think we have walked,hiked and seen so many amazing things in the last week,we need to take a couple of days just to relax and digest it all.

Banff National Park

Lake Louise

Athabasca Falls,

Angle Glacier,

Jasper National Park

8-11-09 JASPER NATIONAL PARK
We are now in Jasper National Park.The last two days we had some havy Rainshowers,so I guess the Weatherman was right,but it was much needed because of all the Wildfires.Jasper is a beautiful Mountaintown at about 3800 feet elevation.We stayed at the Whistlers Campground at the foot of Mt.Whistlers.The first afternoon we took the Gondola up the Mountain.When we got to the upper station,the Sun was shining and we had a phantastic view of the Village and the River down bellow.As we started our hike to the top,thick clouds started to move in and within 20 minutes we could not see anything,also the wind got very strong and icy,time to turn around.We made it to the RV.and it started pouring,all night through.By the time we had breakfast,the sun was out again and we went to the Maligne Canyon.It is impossible to describe this deep and narrow Canyon,you just have to see it,it makes you wonder how nature can create such a beautiful thing.We took the Trail all the way down the Canyon and back. In the afternoon we drove to Mt Edith Cavell and the Hanging Glacier.It was a steep road up the mountain to park the car ,and then a long hike to the Lake in front of the Glacier.It was raining almost all the way until we got down to the Lake.There where actually 3 Glaciers,the Angel Glacier,the Cavell Glacier and a smaller one ,the Ghost Glacier.On the bottem of the large Angel Glacier we could see an Ice Cave,2 people where standing in the entrance,but it was so far away and only accesseble by climbing over the rocks.There was some rumbling and a large piece of Ice from the side of the Glacier brook off and crashed in to the Lake,causing a small Tsunami.We looked at the Cave again and both of us wanted to try to get there.We had to be very carefull where to put our next step,so we would not break an ankel.It was a long way,but we made it and we have a photo to prove it.But then we had to go all the way back. Well,the whole thing took us about 3 hours and it was 8.00 pm by the time we where back at the Motorhome,hungry and tired,but very happy. Tomorrow we start the Icefield Parkway.

Yellowhead Highway East

We left Steward and went to Hazelton on the highway 16. On the way we drove through a few Indian Villages to see the famous old origional Gitwangak Totempoles.In Hazelton we took a tour through the Historic Ksan Village and Museum.It is a Replica of the traditional Gitxsan Indian Village,which has stood at this site for centurys.There was also a very nice Campground next to it,where we stayed.Next day we drove the short way to Smithers,a very nice town.The Mainstreet has some Alpine themed storefronts.We found a swiss Butcher-shop and bought some Schnitzel,Coldcuts and Swiss Cheese.
Near the town of Smithers are twin Waterfalls.We hiked up to them,quite a steep trail,but a beautiful sight.We also found a Car and RV wash in town.By the next day both our vehicles looked clean again [for how long?] We will bypass Prince George,since we stopped there before and will be on our way to the Jasper and Banf National Parks.Rain is in the forcast for the next 3 days,well,we will see.

no WiFi.

Sorry, we did not have internet access for a quite a while, but will try to keep you all up to date.

The Cassiar Highway

We left Teslin and the Alaska Highway and took the Cassiar Highway #37 south. The first 30 miles of this hwy.was very,very bad, narrow dirtroad and no shoulder and some one line traffic.We eventually made it to Jade City. 75% of all the Jade in the World is found in the Mountains around here.There is a Giftstore where you can buy beautiful jewelry designed and crafted by the local people. We followed the highway 37 south ,found a couple of very nice campgrounds,one direct on a Lake and the other between snowcapped mountains.

We are now in Steward,which is right on the border of Alaska again.Bordertown there is Hyder,the most southern city in Alaska. Yesterday we went to watch a large Grisly Bear at the River catch Salmon for his Meal. Today we took a 6 hour trip on a small sailboat down the Portland Canal [Fjord].It was a nice trip ,only 4 passengers[a young couple from Belgium and us].Tomorrow we will travel the rest of the Cassiar Hwy and then turn east onto the Yellowhaed Hwy.16.There are several Wildfires around this areas.They need rain desperatly.

Our favored campground in White Horse