THE ICEFIELDS PARKWAY - May 31st

"One of the Ten Most Beautiful Drives in North America"

We were looking forward to the spectacular beauty of today's drive. It was not to be. By the time we reached Jasper, we were thoroughly disgruntled. Don't get me wrong, it was beautiful even when partially obscured.

Nice day for a ride?

Bow River

We looked forward to the Icefield Centre. Lonely Planet praised the exhibits and explanations of glaciers. Parks Canada in the past has impressed us with their facilities. The RV parking was a quarter-mile from the building. When we saw that there was also a long, steep stairway to the building, we decided to park a little closer. It is early in the year and there aren't many visitors.

This was our first clue that all might not be well. Signs propped against the wall, a sign taped to the door.

We went looking for the exhibits. We found a row of agents selling - selling accommodations, selling rides on the glacier, selling gondola rides, lake cruises, dinners, ad nauseum. No exhibits. They were under renovation. No sign at the turn-off to let us know. No Parks Canada staff in evidence. There was a gift shop. You knew there would be a gift shop. It had awful, cheesy stuff with exorbitant price tags. We even heard one woman gasp when she saw the sticker.

They did leave a few signs. The center overlooks the Columbia Icefield and you can hike to the 'toe' of the Athabasca Glacier and walk on a small area of it.

The only exhibit. It, too, was commercialized.

Upstairs there were two dining facilities. One closed and the other jam-packed.

We regretted the time lost by stopping here but had a pleasant encounter as we left.

Coy and Cynthia

One last stop to see Sunwapts Falls. They were mighty.