Way from Jasper to Louise Lake

7/5/11
This morning we had a scrumptious breakfast. Mom cooked sunny-side-ups, fried the toast in the pan, and I made several cups of savory hot chocolate with a little bit of milk. We each ate a sandwich and drank two cups of hot chocolate for breakfast. It was a very tasty meal, which I enjoyed thoroughly.

After breakfast we tidied up and packed our luggage, for we were going to check out. I reviewed the whole structure of our cabin again, lit a few matches that were placed on the beautiful mantel, went to the restroom a few times, and then left for Jasper National Park, where we went to Sunwapta Falls first. We had to trudge through the muddy trails with pebbles of different sizes etched in it. However, the scene was worth it.

Along the road we often stopped to take pictures of the opal-colored river. Though the view was beautiful, it would be stunning if there weren’t so many particles in the river that made the water look milky. The clouds resemble cotton candy, and the sky is such a lovely shade of blue that it’s a pity the water did not look clear.

After the waterfalls, we drove to Banff National Park. It was linked to Jasper National Park with no visible borderline. Suddenly, Mom told Dad to halt; Tangle Falls was at our right, across the road. What made it so magnificent was that the water caught the sun and sparkled, yet we could see the dark, shiny stones behind it. Some of the rocks jutted out, creating a chaotic look. It was absolutely a feast for our eyes.

We stopped at Columbia Icefield next for its clean restroom, but we also took a few pictures of the glacier. Though it is still quite thick, I think it is receding, which is a pity. The ice covered with rich brown dirt looks delicious; it resembles ice cream cake dusted with chocolate powder.

Dad stopped at Parker Ridge next. Though the guide says that the trail is short, we focused on the words steep and 2.5 kilometers (one way), and decided that it was beyond our hiking ability. The mountain with patches of green and white and brown look magnificent, reminding me of mint ice cream with chocolate chips. However, due to our lack of hiking abilities, we quickly drove on, and saw the Weeping Wall next. It was a black wall with water flowing on it, but unlike Tangle Falls, the wall was flat and curving gently, instead of rocks jutting out here and there. Though it does not look chaotic, it looks grander than Tangle Falls because it is larger. There is a cloud that makes the Weeping Wall look as if it were piping hot.

We continued taking pictures of the Athabasca River now and then. Suddenly, we saw a black bear beside a clear brook. Many people were surrounding the animal, and we weren’t excluded. We took many pictures of the mammal. The way to Mistaya Canyon was so exciting that in no time we arrived. There were flat pieces of rocks (probably limestone) lying here and there above the river, creating a disorderly yet picturesque sight. With tall firs beside it and a rainbow between the rocks that were beside the river, it was very impressive. Some people who didn’t fear death sat at the edge. I like the rainbow best of all. It fades and grows bright mysteriously, depending on the water and the sunshine.

The four of us went to Bow Summit to see Peyto Lake next. The walk is only 10 minutes long, but it is so steep that I was out of breath by the time I got to the summit. There were many people there. The pastel-blue color of the lake looks waxy, and because it is did not catch the light, it looks quite unreal. It is not as beautiful as I remembered.

We went to Num-ti-jah Lodge next. As usual, we went there for its restroom and bought a few things in the gift shop, but the view there is also brilliant. The lake looks so clear and serene, and the reflection of the mountain and the sparkly water took my breath away. In order to enjoy the view even more, Judy and I skipped pebbles into the water.

We arrived at our hotel, Paradise Bungalow. Our cabin was slightly cramped, with two bedrooms and a kitchen and bathroom in between. We cooked instant noodles with a can of tuna and some lettuce. It was delicious. After dinner we went to Louise Lake. It was, like two years ago, green. However, the lake in the picture looks blue; nothing is real.