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Japser National Park.
After a rather uneventful drive all the previous day, although the scenery was still beautiful, we stopped for the night about 40 miles short of Jasper National Park. We set off about 11am, before Jasper however we passed through Mt Robson Park, Mt Robson is the highest point in the Canadian Rockies at just over 12,000 feet. Again this mountain stands out from those around it as it is completely white, however I must admit it doesn't actually look any bigger than them! After another hour or so drive we arrived at the town of Jasper. This is a picturesque little town in the middle of the park which reminded Mae of an 'old west' cowboy town. It is also the only place on our travels so far where wifi is not free...clearly we are getting into a more touristy area. After leaving Jasper we continued south for about 30 miles through the Jasper National Park...which is apparently a toll road and cost $19.60, until we reached Athabasca Falls. This is a really impressive waterfall where the water has worn away various different routes through the rock, some abandoned after another way became easier and eventually leaving a gorge in the rock. Whist walking along the side of the river at the bottom of the falls, Mae spotted a deer in the woods to the side. We were amazed at how tame it seemed as it stood there eating, quite unconcerned by us standing only a few feet away taking pictures. After watching the deer for a while we headed back to the car to continue on our journey for another 40 miles. We then reached the Columbia Ice fields which is a HUGE expanse of glaciers which cover the mountains. In some parts it is difficult to tell where the mountain ends and the glacier begins! I noticed that the ice field has receded about 20 meters since I was here 15 years ago. We then continued on leaving Jasper National Park and entering Banff National Park for our final stop of the day at Lake Louise, A beautiful lake located high above the mountains with bright blue water fed by a glacier on the mountain opposite. The contrast between the blue of the water and the green of the surrounding mountains is simply beautiful!! The lake is in such a location that the water from it actually drains to 3 different oceans...the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic. We then continued on until we stopped for the night just outside Calgary. We had taken nearly 270 photos today...it has to be the most scenic, interesting, amazing place we've driven through so far!!
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