Helly Hansen

How to look Canadian -- The Matrix meets snow gear. I'm only missing the black, square-rimmed glasses and black turtleneck.
















Just for you, Miguel. Merry Thanksgiving and a Happy New Year!

Canadian Rockies

These bridges are NOT for traffic, but for wildlife. Rather than than get hit, they can take the scenic route. And evidently have learned to do so.

Banff National Park. A textbook version of plate tectonics at work or play. Razor sharp edges.
Can you see the frozen waterfall in the center of the picture? The little green spots above it and to the left are small forests of 40' pine trees. Gives you an idea of the size of these "hills."

Light cloud cover rolling into the Powder River Valley upon our return to Calgary. A setting sun -- at 4pm.

Lake Louise II

Another view of Lake Louise. Several tourists there. I thought I heard a little Spanish so asked the young ladies where they were from. One was from Mexico City and the other from Michoacan. Both quite happy to find a Spanish speaker and someone from "close to home." They were on a four day tour of the Rockies. A wee bit colder than southern Mexico.

This is one of three giant lights at the chateau beside Lake Louise. Three maidens are holding up antlers holding up lights. You really can't see their faces from this perspective, but I found it interesting.
A view from the restaurant inside the Chateau. They were serving "tea" but we didn't partake.

Lake Louise

Interesting peak along Canada's Hwy 1. The main cross-country road. In some places on two lanes.

Louise and I. Lake Louise that is. Just beginning to freeze over. A nippy 10F. Not quite the awesome green of the summer pictures but an incredible sight. The remains of the glacier that formed it are over my right shoulder. It it about 5 miles back to the Victoria Glacier.

Banff National Park

Wednesday noon was at Banff National Park. These mountains are sharp and beautiful.
The Banff Springs Hotel opened in the late 1800's. Massive but well designed.
The view off the Hotel's back patio. The Powder River flows through the golf course and towards Calgary (about 60 miles to the east.) Back in the 1920's, motel patrons would spend three months in the summer. For a measily $50,000.

Unique Sign

Not sure if you can make out this sign from the Wal-Mart parking lot.
"Expectant mothers and parents with small children" It was up front next to the handicap spaces. Canadians take off their shoes once inside the house, so I needed a pair of slippers and found some flannel pj's too.

From here we at the Crying Tiger (sirloin and chile peppers), Pad Thai and the Coconut Trout for supper!

Bill & Donna Smith's

My first three nights in Alberta I spent with Bill & Donna Smith. Long-time friends
from Colorado and later Tomball, TX. We had lunch Tuesday at the River Cafe.
Buffalo Brisket with Saskatoon berry sauce, chickpea fries and creamed kale. Apricot
sorbet for dessert. This was my abode for the three nights.