Wotae: 21.09.2018
As soon as we got on the Icefields Parkway, we spotted the first crowd of cars on the side of the road. By now, we knew very well what that meant: bear alert! And there it was, in the little forest by the side of the road. Well camouflaged, but still recognizable and this time not so far away. I would say the drive is off to a good start! Just as we were wondering who always discovers these well-hidden bears and how many we might have unknowingly passed already, a black bear crossed the road right in front of us. Right in front of our car, we've never been so close! Just an amazing experience.
We hadn't been on the road for long, our first destination, the Athabasca Falls, was only half an hour away from the Jasper Skytram, but already we were treated to sights that simply left us in awe. Huge mountains, beautiful landscapes, occasionally intersected by rivers, it was simply breathtaking! This promised to be the best car ride of our lives.
We were not disappointed by our first stop either. These waterfalls pretty much embody what Canada is all about for me. In the background, the forest, the mountains, and a bright blue sky, in the foreground, the roaring waterfall. Here I took the picture that personally encapsulates a complete description of Canada for me. Granted, it was far from quiet here, many people were bustling about, but the beauty of the natural spectacle made up for it. If you followed the paved path a little further along the river, you could be impressed by the color of the river, which was fed by glacier water. Just one word about that: stunning!
Already totally amazed, the journey continued to the next attraction: the Sunwapta Falls.