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Sunwapta Falls and Old Man Mountain

September 18, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

A torrent of plunging water not far from the Icefields Parkway, Sunwapta Falls is just one of the many waterfalls in Jasper created by hanging valleys.
Hanging valleys were formed when glacier ice receded 8000 years ago, leaving behind broad U-shaped valleys. Larger valleys were carved deeper than smaller ones and in places where the two meet, the smaller valleys “hang” at a higher elevation. This is an excellent place to find waterfalls. At Sunwapta Falls, the smaller “hanging” Chaba Valley and larger Athabasca Valley join in a spectacular stepping waterfall that has carved a deep limestone gorge out of the rock some metres below the footbridge.

Parks Canada

We made a quick stop at Sunwapta Falls … just another stunning waterfall in Jasper National Park.

Sunwapta Falls, Keeping With the Times
Sunwapta Falls, Keeping With the Times

Sunwapta Falls, Keeping With the Times

The result of thousands of tourists making their way down to the falls …
Now I’m just throwing in Old Man Mountain, Roche Bonhomme, or Nanabusho which is visible from the Jasper townsite as well as various places along the highway.

It struck us funny because the first night we were having dinner in a restaurant in Jasper, Don looked up and said “oh, there’s a face up there!”

We joked that it was Brian Mulroney, stern jaw and all …
Old Man Mountain

NanabushoSome aboriginals refer to it as Nanabusho: a teacher, a brother of humans, and a reminder of spiritual connection to the land.

Next stop … Yoho National Park and Emerald Lake Lodge … Heaven on earth.

Filed Under: TRAVEL Tagged With: canada, Canadian, rocky mountains, sunwapta falls, travel

Highway 93A – The Old Banff/Jasper Highway

September 16, 2015 by Barb 8 Comments

Backing up a bit here … rather than taking the Icefields Parkway (HWY 93) to Athabasca Falls, we turned off onto the old Banff/Jasper Highway (HWY 93A), which parallels HWY 93 and ends up at the falls. It was a last minute decision and one we were astounded that we hadn’t considered before. It was spectacular.

If you like to avoid major highways in Jasper National Park for the peaceful meander of a Canadian Rockies backroad, then Highway 93A or “the old highway” is for you. Part of the original Banff/Jasper Highway, it now sees much lighter traffic.

Jasper National Park dot com

It was such an unexpected and delightful drive … we met approximately 2 cars and saw an older couple on bikes …
Highway 93A, Canadian Rockies Getaway, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the TimesWhen we stopped to take a closer look at a lake peeking through the trees, this is what we were presented with …
Highway 93A, Canadian Rockies Getaway, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the TimesI haven’t been able to identify the mountains …
Highway 93A
hwy93A_canoe_barbbrookbank-copy
Highway 93A, Canadian Rockies Getaway, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times
Highway 93A, Canadian Rockies Getaway, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times

It was a dull, drizzly day so most of my photos turned out kinda dark … however, I used several actions by Linda Sattgast from the “Fix Photos Fast” class she teaches at Digital Scrapper.

Just a few clicks to adjust exposure, contrast, and shadows/highlights. Two more clicks … one to flatten layers, and one of my own actions to “save for my blog” … done, done, and done!

Thanks for stopping by today!

See Sunwapta Falls and Old Man Mountain for Part VI

Filed Under: TRAVEL Tagged With: Canadian, digital scrapper, Linda Sattgast, photoshop, photoshop actions, rocky mountains, travel

Athabasca Falls Jasper National Park

September 15, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

Our next stop was Athabasca Falls.

The 23-metre Athabasca Falls is not very high by Canadian Rockies standards, but the size of the river makes it one of the most powerful falls to be found in the mountain national parks. Pouring over a layer of hard quartzite, the falls have cut into the softer limestone beneath, carving intricate features, including potholes and a short canyon.

Parks Canada

Canadian Rockies Getaway, Athabasca Falls, Keeping With the Times, Barb BrookbankIt’s deceptively quiet at the beginning … and the whole area is misty with spray …

Canadian Rockies Getaway, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank… then eerie, because … people have slipped in and died here …Canadian Rockies Getaway, Athabasca Falls, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank Canadian Rockies Getaway, Athabasca Falls, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank Canadian Rockies Getaway, Keeping With the Times, Barb BrookbankIt’s positively thunderous …
Canadian Rockies Getaway, Athabasca Falls, Keeping With the Times, Barb BrookbankCanadian Rockies Getaway, Athabasca Falls, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank Jasper National Park, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank Canadian Rockies Getaway, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank … and magnificent.

See Lake Annette for part IV

Filed Under: TRAVEL Tagged With: canada, Canadian, jasper, rocky mountains, travel

Lake Annette, Jasper National Park

September 14, 2015 by Barb 4 Comments

After we explored Maligne Canyon, we stopped at Lake Annette (and Lake Edith … which I didn’t get a photo of … eek.) (This is Part III of our Canadian Rockies Getaway.)

Both are beautiful. Lake Edith seemed a bit rougher with private homes nestled in the trees (can you imagine?)

Lake Annette is smoother, calmer, and great for swimming, which is a bit of a rare find in Jasper due to the fact that most lakes are fed by glaciers (including Annette) … brrrr …

Lake Annette, Jasper, Alberta, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times
Lake Annette, Jasper, Alberta, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times

So, whoah … get a load of this guy … ;)

Lake Annette, Jasper, Alberta, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the Times

… sorry about the butt end but it was all he was going to show me on this particular afternoon and I was hiding behind a sign, using my telephoto lens … this guy was daunting …

The elk or wapiti is one of the largest species within the Cervidae or deer family in the world, and one of the largest land mammals in North America and eastern Asia

He had a few ladies on standby …

Lake Annette, Jasper, Alberta, Barb Brookbank, Keeping With the TimesSome people were standing so close to these animals, trying to get a shot with their phone (please do.not.do.that.)

I was talking to a ranger later in the day, and she told me that of all the animals in the park, elk are the ones she fears the most … she’s seen the injuries that have been inflicted by a seriously annoyed male.

... sorry about the butt end but it was all he was going to show me on this particular afternoon.

... sorry about the butt end but it was all he was going to show me on this particular afternoon.This is where I slowly walked to the left and hid behind a Parks Canada sign …

See Highway 93A for part V

Filed Under: TRAVEL Tagged With: canada, Canadian, jasper, landscape, travel

Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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