Canadian Rockies

I could not believe how gorgeous this part of the world is. It is a hiker's dream. Once again I was off for a quick trip and jam packed schedule, trying to see as much as possible in a few days. And again traveling off season when weather isn't alwyas best. It rained for the vast majority of my time which unfortunately limited the number of photos. But to be honest if not I probably would have had way too many pictures becuase I wouldn't be able to stop myself!
Flight into Calgary and Banff National Park is just about an hour north. My first activity was caving in Rat's Nest Cave. I have never done anything quite like this. We put on complete coveralls and had to remove everything from pockets. Meaning no cell phones or cameras and therefore no pictures! It is because some of the spaces we had to navigate through were so tight anything you had would be broken. This is not for anyone claustrophobic. I am not but still found it quite difficult - both physically at times and mentally. We were inside the cave, which we entered by a small hole and sliding down a rock (which we later had to climb to get out!) for about 2 hours. Most of the time you are upright and walking, it's quite large inside and there are stalagmites and stalactites. It's dank and a little wet. But at least 10 times we passed through really small areas. I was both happy I did it and happy when it was over!
I also visited a dogsled kennel. It was too early in the season for any rides but I was able to meet some pups and learn how they are trained. Really interesting. These dogs are treated well and clearly love what they do. And then the hiking. We did a 14K hike in Lake Louise, in the pouring rain. It cleared for a few minutes and I snapped a couple photos.
We drove by Takakkaw Falls and Peyto Lake. Did some more hiking near Emerald and Moraine Lakes.
Going a few more hours north on the Icefields Parkway heading to Jasper National Park the scenery was incredible. And from the vehicle I spotted several moose. Then we arrived at Athabasca Glacier, a 10,000-year old sheet of ice. We put crampons (ice cleets) on our shoes and walked across.
Downtown Banff is picturesque with lots of hotels, restaurants and shopping.

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