ALBERTA & BRITISH COLUMBIA – “An Ascent to Appreciation”

For years I heard the Canadian Rockies were even more spectacular than the stretch through the USA. It’s no secret that the Canadian provinces of Alberta (A) and British Columbia (BC) provide an amazingly scenic and adventurous outdoor wonderland. Brochures with evergreen-blanketed mountain passes and majestic snowcapped peaks casting their images in glassy glacial lakes are readily available on the internet. Tourists from all around the world book bus tours promising awe-inspiring panoramic views and a chance encounter with wildlife. I figured my time had come to brave the crowds and bear country and take my very own ABC road trip.

THE DESTINATION

After a 6-hour flight to Vancouver, I set off in my rental car towards the mountains etched along the eastern skyline. Eventually, the distant horizon transformed into a magnificent tapestry of green pine, white snow, and granite rock that stretched across my entire field of vision. I rolled down my windows to breathe in the sweet pine wood and its refreshingly clean needles. The asphalt road was draped along the undulating topography like a tangled silken grey string. My eyes were repeatedly drawn from the road down to the churning rivers pushing through the crowded mountains that towered above the reach of my windshield. Occasionally, I caught glimpses of locomotives darting in and out of tunnels like steel needles stitching wooden track through mountainous fabric.

Icefields Parkway, Alberta

Just when I thought my appreciation for the Canadian Rockies was at its capacity, it was exceeded when my legs and eyes found its trails. The soundtrack of babbling streams and song birds was matched with the ever-evolving landscape that unfolded with each kilometer I hiked. The reflections cast in the placid glacial lakes appeared to use an enhanced spectrum of colors beyond nature’s palate. The pines whispered for me to come closer and further explore the paths into their wilderness. Snow covered mountains dared me to negotiate their summits, and rewarded me with expansive views of adjacent valleys. I eventually stumbled upon black bears foraging through meadows and big horn sheep communing along roads in search of salty treats.

Moraine Lake, Banff National Park

THE JOURNEY 

It can be challenging to find moments of silence and reflection when traveling through crowded destinations. There were several occasions during my trip where busloads of iPad selfie-taking tourists spilled onto the paved pathways leading up to notable viewpoints. And although it’s taken hundreds of thousands of years for nature to sculpt and paint her masterpieces, some travelers only wish for a fast-food travel experience. So much emphasis is placed on affordable and easily accessible travel, yet so little is spent on appreciating its value and meaning.

The further we wander from the well-worn paths and viewpoint decks, the closer we find ourselves to discovering our surroundings. As the murmur of the crowds grows fainter, our ability to focus our senses and become mindful of nature grows greater. These moments of clarity can serve as catalysts to better understanding ourselves and the world of which we are apart. Travel transcends from simply being a list of destinations, to a journey of introspection and understanding. Eventually, you realize some of the most enriching travel experiences can be found within your own mind.

-Don

Plain of Six Glaciers Trail