Friday, July 4, 2008

Rocky Mtns National Parks Trip

Just back from my trip to the Rockies.  This was a last-minute trip that resulted from Horton not continuing on the CDT.  I was all set to fly to CO to crew Horty but then plans changed and my Dad wanted to go west - I HAD to oblige...

We flew from Toronto to Calgary and then blitzed the Rocky Mtn National Parks...wish I could have spent more time in each but I'm very glad to see all that I did.  We went to the Canadian National Parks of Banff, Jasper, Yoho, Kootenay & Waterton Lakes.  And we also visited Glacier & Yellowstone in the U.S.A.  It was a trip we'll not soon forget.  All in all, we saw 5 Grizzlies, 4 Moose, a Bald Eagle & Great Horned Owl, 2 Coyotes, 1 Black Bear, and too many Marmots, Pikas, American Bison, Deer & Elk to count.  In addition, we saw Grizzly cubs, Elk calves, Bison calves, & Moose calves.

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I won't even attempt to describe the beauty of each area but the Canadian Rocky Mtns are especially magnificent (and I'm not writing this just because I am Canadian!).  Glacier N.P. in the U.S. provides a little taste of what the Canadian Rockies have to offer.  Furthermore, the north-of-the-border Rocky Mtns are some of the most inhospitable mtns I've seen, perhaps contributing to their astounding scenery.  In addition, the lakes and rivers run a bright blue-teal colour I've never seen elsewhere.

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Just amazing!