Alberta, Canada – snow, ice, and a rest stop

Alberta, Canada was one place where we really wanted to go.  Banff National Park is located there and I have often wondered how it really looks up close.  The pictures that I often see in books and magazines, I feeI, does not really convey the magnificent feeling of seeing it up close.  It is extremely popular that a few million people visit it each year and has contributed immensely to the economy.  The history of the park goes back to the 1800’s and it has gone through a lot of changes since then.

Calgary, Alberta to Banff
Apple Maps. Calgary, Alberta to Banff.

We were awake before the break of dawn.  I sense some apprehension with my travel companions and, I suspect, that it might be because of the weather conditions.  Weather changes can severely affect driving conditions.  I was excited though because I might be able to do some real winter mountain driving.  A totally different driving experience that I haven’t ever done. 

The darkness of dawn gave way to streaks of light across the highway.  Sunlight illuminated the splashes of multiple colors of fall on both sides of the road.  Landscape, sloping and strewn with rocks, interrupted the tree line.  Glimpses of flowing water from roadside creek and river can also be seen.  At certain points, wildlife crossing can be seen and it is heart-warming to know that wildlife can safely cross roadways without ending up as roadkill – a common occurrence back home.  The distant mountain range has started to tower higher as we drove closer.

I had to ask for a restroom stop since I could not hold my water anymore.  Road signs, indicating the availability of washrooms (toilet), were visible a few miles back.  I couldn’t see any washrooms though as we drove by.  Finally, we stopped and I searched for the washroom.  It was then that I found out that it did not look like the way I expected to see it.  It was an outhouse – an open pit dug in the ground with a commode on top and a structure surrounding it.  I saw the same outhouse when we went to Drumheller but I thought it was only because we were at Drumheller.  It made sense though.  The cold temperature here would have created a lot of plumbing problems.  Well, it was good enough to relieve my need and decided that I had to be wiser in controlling my liquid use.

The road to Banff, Alberta
The road to Banff.

I was requested to drive.  I couldn’t be more happier but also apprehensive.  Anyway, the road and the weather looked clear and I shouldn’t worry.  Vehicle traffic was sparse and the speed limit was slower.  The drive went smoothly with everybody settling in. It was when we started to go uphill that the weather suddenly changed!  Dark clouds thickened and the temperature dropped!  The side of the road and the treetops turned white with snow and the road became slick with forming ice!  The greatest danger that I anticipated was slipping on the icy road from sudden deceleration.  I focused on maintaining my speed and keeping my distance from the next vehicle.  This went on for several miles then it disappeared.  We just drove through a storm!

Mountain and ice. Banff, Alberta, Canada
Mountain and ice

The next stop cannot be more picturesque! The road was clear and without a trace of snow or ice, the trees were vibrant with color, and the mountain range capped with snow at a distance were clearly visible!  The weather change was certainly remarkable!

Lakeside view of the mountain, Alberta, Canada
Lakeside view of the mountain

The final roadside stop was more familiar to me.  A place with a restaurant, a novelty store, a small grocery, and a real restroom.  We took advantage of the amenities available.  A significant observation was the presence of busloads of tourists.  I figured we were all heading in the same direction and each busload was a guided tour.  We had to compete with them to secure our place in the food line, the restroom, and the grocery store!  We even felt envious when we found out that they actually had a reserved room for dining!

The drive continued towards our final destination.  It was a slow drive but the changes in scenery came by fast.  I missed a lot of opportunity to take pictures and I regret it.  Alberta is indeed remarkable!  Hopefully, I will have the chance to come back and take it slower.  Sink in the view better and take more pictures!

 

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