Backing up here. Last night, I finally got to bed at 1:00 am. After getting the new that our court date was successful the day before, I was thrown. I suddenly had so much more to do. I had to prepare packages to mail to the girls, while we are on our trip and many other small jobs, being as I am gone for the next 2.5 weeks!
At 4:45 am I was woken feeling restless. Knowing I was intending on getting up at 5:45 anyway and the day was already getting bright, I felt compelled to get up and start hustling. We always pack a good basket of foods to save eating take-out on the road. We usually take cereals, snacks, fruit, and buns. Then we eat a make-do breakfast on the road, stop by the side of the road later to make meat and cheese buns. This saves us a fortune!
It didn't take me long to get the kids up, dressed and then they popped in and gave their daddy a goodbye hug, before we hit the road at 6:20am. I like to start early before the sun is up and I have the road to myself!
Packed and Ready to Go
After getting my necessary Large Decaf Mocha from Tim Horton's, we were on our way. The day was bright with a hint of yesterday's heat still hanging over the early morning hours. It looked to be a great start!
Before long we were approaching the sign for Mount Robson and Dane called out that we needed to stop and get a picture. Well, Mr. Summer Boy, was already stripped down to his shorts, and Briton had no shoes on - but, what the hey! Out they all jumped and obliged me with a pose.
Before long, we were crossing the Alberta border, and Cassidy said to me, "I didn't know we were going to a different state." STATE? Are we American? *laugh* Yep, we are going to a different province. I have not told the kids what is happening on this trip, so everything is a surprise. Austin asked me if we were heading out to visit Cousin John and Margaret. Nope, they live in California. Time to get those kids a map, so they can follow along!
What follows are some of the amazing pictures of the Rocky Mountains. We made a turn onto the Jasper Parkway. The boys did not know we were heading for the Columbia Icefields.
A short while later, we saw a number of vehicles parked on the side of the road. Slowing down to see what they were looking at, I cried out, "Camera! Get my camera. Quick!" We are used to wild animals taking off when they see people, but the animals in the Jasper Parkway seem very accustomed to people.
A Skinny Little Bear Out of Hibernation
This was just the first of many animal shots where I was able to get within 15 feet of the animals! And it was not because of a good zoom. My camera only has 3x zoom on it! The boys were amazed at all the animals they saw.
Out of nowhere, we suddenly saw this animal on the side of the road. I stopped my car quickly on the side and then crept up slowly. I was pleased to see that it did not mind how close I got. I was then able to get out the window and take some neat shots!!
I got very good at pulling my van to a quick halt on the road, straddling the edge of the road, double-parking, or sliding up beside another car, to get the best shots. What I noticed was how cooperative everyone was. I guess there were so many tourists out doing the same thing we were, so they displayed patience! Because of this we were able to get a lot of amazing pictures!
We pulled over here and Dane took this shot. He was learning how to frame pictures and not just 'shoot'. While he was out of the car, he noticed how incredibly steep the 1000' drop was! Following is a shot looking down from this mountain-side.
Ludicrous Drop!
Here is an incredible waterfall we saw on the way down Highway 93. When we got to the Icefields, the first thing the boys noticed were these amazing Snow Explorers, with 5' wheels! "OH, cool!! I'd like to go on those!"
*That's* why I love to keep the events a secret. I told the boys we were doing a lunch stop. They had no idea we were stopping for a ride. They watched the large city buses taking people up the mountain and figured the Snow Explorers were not being used. What they didn't know was that there are only 23 of these machines in the world and 22 of them belong to this company. The United States Government owns the 23rd one. Isn't that something!
What they didn't yet know, was that they were going to ride one of those coaches up the mountain for eight minutes and then embark on one of the Snow Explorers out on the Icefields.
After we had a quick lunch in the van: buns, cheese, meat slices, puddings, cookies, and fruit - all pulled together in minutes - we headed up to the main building to check things out. The boys quickly figured out what we were doing. They were each given their new sunglasses, and we bought our tickets.
We hung around waiting for our bus til 3:00 pm and while doing so took a few fun shots.
It was cute cause a Japanese lady took a picture of our five boys. I couldn't figure out how the time had gotten away from me and it was already 3:00 pm!!! Later, I clued in - we had a time change and had lost an hour! *laugh* Part 2 to follow
Briton was totally overwhelmed by it all and so big brother rescued him, but the other little boys loved it.
Happy Birthday Dane! Our crazy, spontaneous, fun-loving, nutty, loving, son. We love you!
