The mountains are calling and I must go. ~ John Muir
It wasn’t only John Muir who felt called by the mountains. I felt the call in September of 2021. Many people who like being with Nature are drawn to spend some time in the presence of these towering giants. My trip was a conducted tour which started in Calgary and lasted for five days. Talk about a true mountain-top experience!
There’s something special about being in the presence of so much natural beauty. I like being able to reflect on my “smallness” in their presence when I’m in the mountains – to feel awed by their size and grandeur. It’s also a time to be reflective and meditative about life.
It’s possible to visit some of the most awe-inspiring mountain scenes in the Canadian Rockies. Lake Louise (above) is one such place. It’s one of the most visited sights on any journey to Banff and Jasper National Parks. It was also fun to dine at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise with a friend. The view was spectacular and we had a wonderful time.
“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain.”
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“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than what we could learn from books.” – John Lubbock
The above quote is so true. The lessons we learn in school are so different from those we learn when we are in the presence of the natural environment. There’s a going within that happens and the learning is so much more about our inner selves than it is about the acquisition of knowledge. This is true for me anyways.
I thought that sharing photos would give a much better idea of my trip than giving lots of narrative which can easily be found in travel books and guides. Apart from spending lots of time in both Banff and Jasper National Parks, the visit to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, British Columbia was wonderful. See some photos below.
Last, but not least, are the photos of Maligne Lake and our visit to Spirit Island. The boat cruise and the sights along the way and back were spectacular. Perhaps, one of my favourite sights on the trip.
Hope you all have a chance to visit the Canadian Rockies sometime. You will not be disappointed.
“Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb. And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.” – Khalil Gibran
If you prefer to see the ebook for this, please find it at this link: