Ketchikan to Banff National Park

Hi All,
I'm still behind but trying to catch up!

My last post ended in Ketchikan. From there we had one more ferry ride which took us to Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Yes, we were no longer in Alaska. If there was one disappointment about our ferry rides, it was we didn't see any marine life. While on shore I saw one seal that I was only able to make out with binoculars and heard and saw a whale blow a few times but again it was so far away I wouldn't have known it was there if not for the sound. That being said, if you have more time to explore Alaska than the standard one or two week cruise, we would highly recommend using the ferry to get to all the islands in Southeast Alaska and stay several days in each place. There are staterooms on the ferry if you have an overnight passage. It's not going to be as luxurious as a cruise but you'll be able to stay as long as you like at any stop.

A lighthouse seen from the ferry on the way to Prince Rupert

Once back in Canada I was feeling a bit down about the Alaska part of the trip being over. So we went back! From Prince Rupert we drove to Stewart, BC and then crossed back into Hyder, Alaska. Hyder is not really accessible any other way. There isn't even a US border crossing, you just drive over to Hyder with no customs or immigration stop. There is Canadian customs when you come back though. In Hyder there is a bear viewing boardwalk where bears come to feed on salmon in the stream. That was something we had to do and were rewarded with another up close look at a black bear.

Bear Glacier, on our drive from Prince Rupert to Stewart

Where the bears go to feed on salmon, you will usually also find eagles

Despite the fact there were salmon within 10 feet this one wasn't interested enough to get one

From Stewart / Hyder it took us a couple of days to drive to Canada's Jasper National Park. Besides this year being the 75th anniversary of the Alaska Highway, it is Canada's 150th birthday. To celebrate, all entry fees for the national parks in Canada are free this year. Happy Birthday, eh!

I'm starting to not feel so bad about leaving Alaska

Mountain Goats in the parking lot of a natural hot spring

Big Horn Sheep along the road in Jasper

Moose cow and calf along the the shore of Maligne Lake in Jasper

After a couple of days in Jasper we drove south to Banff National Park. We stopped at Sunwapta Falls at towards the southern end of Jasper.

The drive from the town of Jasper, in Jasper National Park to Lake Louise in Banff National Park may be one of the most beautiful drives in all of North America

Tangle Creek makes a nice waterfall on the side of the road

Wow

Should you ever find yourself in the vicinity of Banff / Lake Louise, do yourself a big favor and don't miss two places. First, visit Baker Creek Mountain Resort. If you don't stay there, at least have a meal at the Bistro. You will not be disappointed. We chose the Bistro to celebrate the true end of a chapter of our lives. We have sold Good Morning Vietnam. Within days of moving her to Deltaville, Virginia we had an offer. There have been many twists and turns but the deal is now done. It was a great experience that we would not trade for anything. But it is also a relief to have the boat finally sold.

This bear has his dinner for the evening

I'm not sure if this one is sneaking in or sneaking out

The second "must do" while in the area is to visit Morraine Lake. Having seen both, Lake Louise pales in comparison to Morraine Lake. Unbelievable.

From the rock pile at Morraine Lake

Here's our route since getting off the ferry in Prince Rupert.

The truth is, we're now back in the lower 48. But as I said, I'm behind on posting. We'll be in Yellowstone National Park the next couple of days so I'm not sure when I'll be able to post again but I'll try to get caught up soon.

Take care.

Brian