There are amazing national parks among the Canadian Rockies.
So when a couple I’d met on the internet in a writing class invited me to stay with them in their log cabin, how could I refuse? Especially when Elfriede and Mike offered to take me to the best spots in six national parks. Having lived there for almost thirty years, I trusted them to make our seventeen-day itinerary.
Leaving breathtaking Sedona, AZ, to fly to Calgary, Alberta, was a quick trip.
Rushing to catch the Banff Airporter, a shuttle that would take me to the Banff Park Lodge, I struggled to pull my fifty-five-inch and twenty-four-inch overstuffed suitcases down the never-ending halls, trying not to work up a sweat. My shuttle wasn’t scheduled to leave for two hours, but the kind phone representative had told me that if I was early and they had room, I could catch the earlier bus.
Tall, green-covered hills rose higher and higher. God sure had made a beautiful world, and these majestic mountains were proof. I’d seen enormous mountains in the United States, but nothing could have prepared me for the sight that greeted me after every turn. Beauty piling onto beauty. Dylan, the shuttle driver, expertly maneuvered the passenger van safely to the lodge, where Elfriede waited for me.
At her house, I met her husband, Mike, and their gorgeous Golden Retriever, Kansas, who greeted me with a sniff and a lick. Awesome! The impressive log cabin had outstanding views all around it. Every window opened to view the heavens.
A baby-blue river that followed the highway led the way.
At Banff National Park, I climbed and climbed before the turquoise water of Moraine Lake greeted me from the viewpoint. Daredevils climbed over the safety railing to take selfies. Longing to have that memorable photo, I considered it, but decided against risking my life. Instead, Elfriede took several pictures of me from the platform so I could live to share them, and they turned out fine.
Glacial melt made the water constantly change color. Today, the color was a glowing blue, reflecting the gray and beige mountains and clouds surrounding it. But when we returned a few days later, the water was a deeper blue, and more snow on the mountaintops made it easier to see the reflection.
Canada’s first national park did not disappoint, but I couldn’t see the bears on the side of the mountain everyone was pointing to. Elfriede used her expensive camera to capture the momma with her cubs and showed it to me later. They looked like ants in the photo. No wonder I couldn’t see them.
At our second stop, next to the parking lot, there were so many people at Lake Louise that I had to crouch down and squeeze my way through the tourists to avoid interrupting their phones snapping photos. It was beautiful, too, but lacked the impressiveness found breathing in the mountain air after the strenuous climb to view Moraine Lake.
The Toe of the Athabasca Glacier wasn’t impressive.
Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies. We mainly drove a long way through this 7,000 square miles of wilderness to see a glacier up close. At the Columbia Icefield Centre, we used our walking sticks as we hiked the dusty, rocky terrain up the hill to stand at the foot of the small, unimpressive glacier, where buses with massive tires drove tourists over the ice. As I shivered, it fascinated me to learn that glaciers grow and shrink—I thought because of global warming, that they only decreased in size. But that isn’t true.
Hot springs are everywhere in Canada.
Radium Hot Springs was our first stop in the five hundred square miles of Kootenay National Park. They offered warm or cool mineral water pools, but the cool one was closed for maintenance. It was too chilly, so I doubt anyone would’ve ventured into the cool pool. The price was a little steep for my budget, but an employee let me in to take a picture for my book since normally I’d need an appointment to take the tour. Several people looked very relaxed at the base of the beige-colored mountain in the vibrant, light blue water, but Iceland’s Blue Lagoon was a lot more impressive. After a few more stops at colorful lakes and viewpoints, we headed home.
Glacier National Park is one of Canada’s largest parks.
I conquered my fear of heights when we hiked the steep dirt trail and rock steps to an impressive 180-foot waterfall in Glacier National Park, where I made a video to share on social media. Bear Creek Falls was in a gorge between enormous tan rocks, pine trees, and the beautiful yellow birch trees of fall—what a great time of year to visit. A train whistled as it crossed over the top of the mountain.
Canada has so much natural beauty that I didn’t want my followers to miss seeing the beauty of God’s creation. As we drove down the highway, my iPhone’s camera captured a picture of Illecillewaet Glacier in the distance before we reached our next stop at the world’s only inland hemlock and cedar rainforest: Hemlock Grove Boardwalk. Trees had fallen around the trail, and I noticed where the chainsaw had cut them to clear the wooden boardwalk. The air smelled musky with hints of mint, and occasionally, water dripped onto my arms and head from the enormous trees.
Mount Revelstoke National Park, I’m coming for you.
On the trail through Giant Cedars Boardwalk, the ringing of my phone disturbed the peace of the forest. It was my son’s murderer, so I took the call. After I finished, I breathed in the deep earthy smell, and calmness surrounded me as I looked high into the sky, trying to see the tops of the cedars. More fallen trees covered the ground as we finished the steps leading to the end of the boardwalk.
Saying goodbye to my adventures.
I saw God’s power when he shared aurora borealis one night, and the sky danced purple and green. Breathtaking bright stars had danced over my head outside the window above my bed for the last few weeks, and I was sad to leave. But my husband missed me, so I packed my bag so it was ready to take to church with us the next day before departing for the airport shortly after communion.
My hosts, Michael and Elfriede Copple, gave me two books they had written: Calling From the Sky and Considering Wisdom. I’d already read two of their other fabulous books, and I knew these wouldn’t disappoint. If you want to learn about Jesus’ offer of salvation or the revelation of Jesus, check out their books at https://michaelcopple.com/books/. Michael has also written a romance novel and an adventure nonfiction book, if that’s more your style.
If you want to read about my other travel adventures, check out my latest book, Life Begins with Travel.
What trip has been your favorite? Please share in the comments so I can get new travel ideas.
