OH CANADA! June 1 & 2

It was without incident we passed through Canadian customs and inspection at the Carway, Alberta station.  Canada doesn't seem as fussy about who they let into their country.

With the mountains west of us, the landscape was rolling hills with lakes and streams.

BANFF AND LAKE LOUISE - June 1 & 2
Mid-afternoon we arrived at Tunnel Mountain Provincial Campground in Banff.  Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, Banff is a popular tourist town with 2.5 million visitors each year; in the summer for the scenery, and in winter for the skiing.

Village of Banff has a ton of restaurants and shopping opportunities.

One of most scenic areas north of Banff is Lake Louise.  

Ice still on the lake.  

Victoria Glacier above Lake Louise.

Canoe rentals!

The color and clarity of the water makes this lake a real gem.

Sitting on the shores of this jewel is the Chateau Lake Louise.

The bride is setting up the shot and directing the groom for a selfie photo shoot.

The groom has a remote to click the camera.
He seemed to take directions well from his bride and did what he was told to do.
He already has this marriage thing figured out.

HIGHWAY 93 NORTH - THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY
One of the most scenic drives in North America is the the route between Banff and Jasper in the Central Rockies.  This year Canada is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Provincial Park system, and to celebrate they are providing complementary park passes! 

In addition to fences along the highway, landscaped skyways were built
 over the Parkway to allow wild animals safe access to the other side of the busy highway.

Weeping Wall Waterfalls
Melting snow finds its way through cracks in the rock resulting in a series of beautiful waterfalls.

Columbia Ice Field
The glaciers visible from the Parkway cover 241 square miles.  

Late afternoon we checked into the Jasper/Pocahontas Provincial Park.  After getting settled we drove a few miles up the road to relax in the Miette Hot Springs.  Several pools are fed with water flowing out of natural hot springs.  The temperatures varied between pools with the warmest at 104 degrees and the coldest...really cold.

A popular place to hang-out and relax.