There is a feeling of excitement, comfort and home being in the Rockies. Something about the fold and thrust belt, its ragged ridges, bedded cliffs and aprons of pines. It really is hard to get enough. A delicious taste of eye candy lay before us from the slopes of Marmot Basin on New Years day. This is a great ski hill that gives you an expansive view of the Athabasca River valley. The lifts are fast fast and the terrain highly variable. Leaving Jasper was not so difficult because we were heading down the Ice Fields Parkway. First we had to say goodbye to our friend Anne Williams who works as a naturalist in Jasper. We haven't seen Anne in 9 years so there was lots to catch up on. Funny how it didn't feel like 9 years and it was nice to see that Anne is still Anne with her bright, friendly smile. Hopefully it's not another decade before we share some time again. The drive south towards Lake Louise on hwy 93 was truly spectacular. Some of the nicer slopes were carved by skiers and well-worn trails lead to towering ice climbs. Snow avalanches were dispersing their way down the banded cliffs, which added to the excitement. I think the real excitement for Sofia and Sullivan though was stopping at the Candy Store in Banff. I love that place and I love how it hasn't changed one bit since I was a kid. The jaw breakers are still enormous and the assortment of candies by the 1/4 pound bag is dizzying. We pulled into Okotoks and the grand parents house yesterday evening. We have a week here to take care of business and visit family before heading to Nicaragua. It has been a great start to 2013.
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| Taking in Marmot Basin and the Athabasca Valley |
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| A quick farewell skate ski with smiling Anne |
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beautiful photos of a exciting travel.
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