Right on cue with the weather forecast, the clouds rolled in overnight and today was dark and cloudy and more wet than not. So it was a good thing we’d done our big hiking day yesterday. On deck for today: the Icefields Parkway that runs through Banff National Park and adjacent Jasper National Park. Along the way it passes peaks with glaciers perched upon them, including the massive “ice dome” that is the largest glacier outside of the poles, and produces runoff that feeds into the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans.

As per usual, the scenery was spectacular, and as tempting as it was to just enjoy it all from the warmth of the car, we nevertheless girded our loins and ventured out into the elements. The glacier was by far the most fun with strong winds, sideways rain, and great that kept us warm and dry. At the end of the day we can back to the hotel, put in our best outfits and treated ourselves to a delicious fire course dinner in the dining room of our hotel (which is apparently also one of the best restaurants in town).

Herbert Lake

Bow Lake

Peyto Lake Viewpoint

Waterfowl Lakes (or rather, the river between them)

Howse Pass

Big Bend Viewpoint

Athabasca Glacier

Tangle Creek Falls

Dinner at the Post Hotel