THE MOST SCENIC DRIVE IN THE WORLD

The drive from Jasper south to Lake Louise and Banff is called the Icefields Parkway (AKA highway 93) and is considered the longest and most scenic drive in the world.

Views that rival any we've seen in the Tetons and the Himalayas. Lakes, canyons, whitewater, glaciers, wildlife, vistas, snow peaked mountains …

(Mistaya Canyon above and The Weeping Wall below)

Now, when it comes to global warming, I am confused and admit to being on the fence. I cannot literally “see” the big picture and come to terms with the whole global environment, ecosystem and warming thing BUT … I can tell and show you what we have just seen with our own eyes here on one of the largest remaining ice systems in the world.

Again, we will let our pictures tell the story. Each marker shows where the Athabasca Glacier extended to from the Icefield over the last 120 years.

(The Abathasca Glacier is approximately 1/50th the size of the Icefield itself)

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED

Before beginning a journey of 1,000 miles, ask yourself ... "Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good. If it doesn't, it is of no use. Two paths ... one has a heart, the other doesn't. One makes for a joyful journey as long as you follow it. The other will make you curse your life. One makes you strong, the other weakens you...”

Carlos Castaneda

CAUTION! Problem Cougar suspected in the area

Just outside of Jasper National Park, who would suspect such a warning? I thought "cougars" were only a problem in the big city (- :

Now I've been called alot of things in my day ...

Wildcat, yes! Sly fox, yes!

Sweetie "deer", yes! Honey bear, yes!

But a "problem cougar", NEVER!!!

Heading in to Jasper National Park tomorrow morning. No cell phones, no wifi, no electricity ... just God's natural wonders made manifest in nature. More to follow when we emerge. Stay posted.

"DON'T TOUCH MY BAGS IF YOU PLEASE, MR. CUSTOMS MAN".

“Don't touch my bags if you please, Mr. Customs Man” was all I could think of crossing the border into Canada. We heard horror stories of strip searches (which made us a bit nervous) and confiscation of opened bags of dog food which made Fritz “pawsitively panicky".

When we pulled up to the gate we were asked 3 questions. “Do you have any firearms? Do you have any alcohol? Do you plan on selling anything while here in Canada?” Now, visions of Arlo and Alice's Restaurant ran through my mind. “I cannot tell a lie, Officer, I put those envelopes under that pile of garbage”. I thought of the 70+ pair of cowboy boots and the 50+ western shirts and I said “No, officer” and left it at that!

WATERTON / GLACIER INTERNATIONAL PEACE PARK.

Words on the stone say "Waterton / Glacier International Peace Park permanently commemorating the relationship of peace and good will long existing between the peoples and governments of the United States and Canada. Dedicated July 4th, 1936".

WATERTON TOWNSITE

When was the last time you were able to camp in a national park and walk into town and see a new hollywood release (Sex and the City 2) in a restored historic theater complete with crushed red rose velvet seats and solid oak carved arm rests and floral wrought iron side posts followed by a hand dipped double scoop of home made ice cream and then walk home with your flashlight hoping not to fall into one of the several thousand gopher squirrel holes that were as plentiful as the newly budding wildflowers for which the area is famous??? (breathe, Rochelle)

Out of Waterton, back on the road up to Jasper National Park, we chanced upon a prelude to the annual “Cowboy Poetry Gathering”. Who would have guessed that Cowboys were known for their poetry?

Out of Calgary, we decided to take the “Cowboy Trail” up to Jasper and leave the Interstate behind. Highway 22 has been billed as the Cowboy Trail since it passes through a lot of ranch country. The highway is considered by many to be among Alberta's most scenic, as it follows the picturesque eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains.

You can see cowboys ropin’ cattle, experience small town rodeos, country fairs and rich ranchland where quarter horses still reign. The proximity to the Rockies means you’ll also witness a great diversity in wildlife and scenery. From deer and elk to numerous small town rodeos — the Cowboy Trail is full of geographic and historic gems.

POST SCRIPT:

Dear Abbey,

I have created a monster. When we first started out on our journey West my husband would frequently shout out “Look honey, what a great place to hike”. Now, since he has discovered the profitability of buying and selling vintage western wear, I often see a glazed look in his eyes as we head down the road and I hear him exclaim “Honey, I wonder if this town has a thrift store?” How can I deal with my husband's new found cowboy boot fetish??

Signed, Fit to be tied in Canada

LEWIS & CLARK CORNMEAL SCONES

Inspired by several nights of cornbread and canned baked beans … Here is a yummy and healthy alternative that satisfies those of us that are “bakery window challenged”.

¾ cup cornmeal

1 ¼ cups oat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon baking soda

6 packets sugar substitute

¼ teaspoon salt

1/3 cup cold butter, cut in small chunks

2/3 cup + 1 Tablespoon vanilla flavored rice milk (or other)

1 egg yolk, beaten

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients then add butter. With a fork, work dry ingredients together until crumbs form. Make a well in the center of crumbs and add 2/3 cup rice milk. Stir with wooden spoon until dough forms. Divide dough in half. Pat each piece into a ball and place both on cookie sheet. Pat down to ¾ inch thickness. Cut through each circle of dough like a pizza to create 6” wedge shaped scones per circle.

Beat egg yolk and 1 tablespoon rice milk in a bowl and brush on tops of scones.

Bake 10 minutes until golden brown. Remove, press down and cool. Enjoy around a campfire singing Home Home on the Range, On Top of Old Smokey or just howling at the moon.

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR TALKING

If you are not a fan of my passion for Cowgirl/boy boots then skip this part. We buy as we travel and West is the Cowboy Boot Mecca. These are some of our recent finds from S. Dakota and Montana. If these boots could talk they might tell of dance hall nights and stampedes and kicking up dust and kicking some _ _ _ and kicking up your heels and riding the range and campfire circles and NOT being buried in them.

LIONS AND MOOSE AND BEARS, OH MY!

Checking in at Glacier International Peace Park, we learned of the dangers of cohabitating with the wild creatures … mountain lion, black and grizzly bear, longhorn sheep, rattlesnake and moose. We learned that dogs and bears don't mix and that they are not allowed on the hiking trails. We learned that the MOST dangerous of all was a momma moose with a cub.

We secured our site and began getting dressed for a night out. We heard there was a singer/songwriter playing at the lodge so we decided to hike the 1 mile to the concert (I was having music withdrawal symptoms). We put on our cleanest dirty clothes, thrift store finds we gathered along the way, and headed down the road. On the way we encountered several "warnings" about bears and moose cubs and lions OH MY! Half way down the mountain a car slowed down and a young woman stuck her head out of the window and whispered to us … “There is a moose cub just ahead”. We turned around and tucked ourselves in for the night. My Grandma always told me that there are three things to be thankful for … “A gift, an invitation and A WARNING”. Who is to say … was it intuition or paranoia? We may never know, but at least we are alive to ponder the question.

(Can you find Yogi in the picture to the left?)

The next day we decided to hike the road again in broad daylight with Fritz. All of a sudden Fritz leaps forward and goes nuts. I see a big black bear crossing the street just yards ahead. He sees us too. A moment and a life flashing in front of me, we slowly turn and go back to our RV and lock ourselves in once again. Later, we venture out into the campground one more time only to come upon a huge momma moose with her cub walking right into the campground. Home again we lock the door. Now, I would love to see a Mountain Lion … perhaps through my windshield window. Crossing the border into Canada tomorrow. Wish us luck at customs. How do we explain the 70+ pair of used cowboy boots and 50+ western shirts we have in the RV ???

Volksmarch hike to Crazy Horse

Once again, we were at the right place at the right time ... the ONLY weekend of the entire year that the public is invited to hike the world's largest mountain carving in progress. The annual Crazy Horse Volksmarch happens the first weekend of June every year. We joined about 25 thousand people in the 6.5 mile pilgrimage to the top

Pilgrims of all ages from around the world ... some well into their 80's. The people standing on the ledge below his face gives you a size perspective.

A view of a lifetime.

When you get to the top it is all worthwhile.

Standing on his extended arm looking into his eyes ... up close and personal.

This carving started in 1948 with a vision and a dream. Here is the small scale replica against the actual monument in the background. They say it will take many lifetimes before the monument is complete. The face began in 1948 and was dedicated in 1998.

We encourage YOU to put this on YOUR bucket list!

Dr. Fritz's debut at Mt. Rushmore

From Nashville we drove and kept driving until we reached Mt. Rushmore / Crazy Horse Monument in South Dakota. Fritz had his "debut" hike to Mt. Rushmore as a registered Service Dog. All of his training paid off ... he has found his purpose in life! His behavior was exceptional and we are very proud of him.

Getting started ... the Florida Folk Festival

It is May, 2010 and we are on our way to the Canadian Rockies ... one more experience to check off the “bucket list”. (Norm came within miles when he crossed the border in 1971 but he hitched back home instead thinking that his semester was about to begin. He was wrong so this trip is going to right that wrong.)

Two of our highlights at the Florida Folk Festival this year included Veronika Jackson singing the song she wrote for our son Adam called “Adam's Song”. She sang every set that weekend. She had a hard time getting through the song at the Gazebo and sang it again from the heart at the Tower Stage. She really "got" Adam.

Another highlight was jamming with Jubal's Kin at our campsite and watching these young musicians come into their own on the Amphitheater Stage as featured performers at the 58th Annual FFF.

Billy Dean, one of the headliners, told the audience to go to Nashville and spend some money to help with the flood recovery. We took his advice and were rewarded with a serendipitous concert ... Neil Young performing live at the Ryman Theater (original Grand Ole Opry) Tuesday night. He still got it at 64!!!