O Canada! Banff, Yoho and Jasper

After 6 days in Glacier NP we drove to Canada!  I'm grateful my passport was delivered to our home in Utah and my sister in-law overnighted it to us while we were in Montana.  It's so funny because when we were driving to Montana we stopped for lunch at Panda Express. These were our fortune cookies and we cracked up laughing, at that point it seemed impossible I would have a passport in time to go to Canada.  It was all meant to work out I guess!

This was my FIRST time out of the country and it was so exciting!  We stopped at the "Real Canadian Superstore" and we couldn't even get a shopping cart because we didn't have a loonie haha. We were very confused.  Thank goodness Eric's friend that lives in Alberta came to hang out and rescue us.

We set up camp at the Lake Louise campground and had the most amazing camping spot with the most beautiful pine trees.  We spent 5 days exploring 3 national parks there. Banff, Yoho and Jasper. I'm glad we went to Canada since we were already so close to the boarder, but this could be it's own separate trip.  There is so much beauty to see and explore.  Next time I want to camp in Jasper.

Campsite views 

Lake Louise 

Oh the famous Lake Louise.... We hiked 3 miles from the campsite to get here.  You would never know there are thousands of people standing shoulder to shoulder trying to take the same pictures. 

Moraine Lake

Yoho National Park 

Emerald Lake

Takakkaw Falls

  

Icefields Parkway

We spent a day traveling the Icefields Parkway to get to Jasper.  This was my favorite day.  We got the gypsy app and listened to the tour guide tell us where to pull over for the best sight seeing and so many interesting facts about the explorers who first discovered this area of Canada and the Icefields that are still there.  I didn't even know what an Icefield was!!  There are glaciers EVERYWHERE.  On one stretch of the parkway we could see and count 15 glaciers.  At the end of the parkway is Jasper National Park.  We explored their town, got some food and did some souvenir shopping. 

Athabasca Falls

Peyto Lake

Icefields & Glaciers 

These pictures may not look very exciting but you just have to see it in person
to fully experience and be 'wowed' by them.

Banff Village

Eric was realllllly excited to try poutine.  French fries with gravy and cheese curds.  I caught his reaction when he saw it for the first time hahaha.  He was actually really disappointed.  I did not try it. 

WILDLIFE

Seeing wildlife was probably one of my favorite parts.  All wildlife was viewed from the safety of our vehicle.  We watched this mama with her cubs for a good 30 minutes as they ate vegetation and berries.  At a spot on the Icefields Parkway there was a bear on the side of the road and sooooo many cars pulled over.  There was a large crowd gathered and watching outside of their vehicle, crazy people. 

Our time in Canada came to an end and we headed home. We stopped at Snowbird and caught the first day of a family reunion.  It was nice to take a shower easily and use clean, flushing toilets.  I miss this trip and camping, but I needed a break from pit toilets and mosquito bites.  I really do look forward to visiting Montana and Canada again!! I highly recommend going!