7th Day (Golden - Jasper National Park)

The breakfast here at Whitewater Lodge is an absolute dream. No plastic dishes or plates, a cozy dining room with long tables and homemade frittatas. In addition, fresh fruit salad and homemade jam. With 10 guest rooms, the property is relatively small, but attention to detail counts here. The rooms are relatively small and without a television, but there is a common room where you can meet other guests (if you like) or use the refrigerator if you prefer something cold to drink in the evening.

At 9 o'clock we tear ourselves away from the delicacies as planned and drive towards Yoho National Park of Canada, where a little off the Trans-Canada Highway, the Natural Bridge - a transition of rocks over the Kicking Horse River - and the beautiful Emerald Lake are located. The latter is overrun by a horde of mainly Asian tourists, but it is hard to surpass in beauty. Its emerald-colored water and the mountain formations in the background create a play of colors with the green trees that you cannot resist admiring. The pictures look like paintings, and almost unnatural, everything fits together here.

After driving back to the TC Highway, we reach the junction towards Jasper National Park, called Highway 93 or Icefields Parkway. The route is considered one of the most beautiful roads on earth - and it lives up to its reputation. You can't stop as often as you want, and the views are always magnificent. Snow-capped peaks, forested mountain slopes, and deep blue lakes or a light blue river in the foreground. The cars line up almost like a string of pearls along the road, but progress is relatively smooth, unless a rather underpowered motorhome breaks down on a mountain slope. After several breathtaking stops and incredible insights, we arrive after about 1 hour of driving and a quick gaining of altitude on a view of "The Big Bend," with another incredible view of the unique valley landscape - this time from above. Parking is not always easy because the spaces are limited.

Shortly thereafter, the actual Jasper National Park begins, and after another half an hour, we reach the Columbia Icefield with the Athabasca Glacier. After a short walk up the mountain, you can see this glacier up close, and numerous signs remind you that it has been retreating further and further. Buses drive into the glacier from above to offer interested parties an even closer look - we decide not to participate in this rather questionable endeavor. Instead, we admire this natural phenomenon from below, and of course, we wonder how long this glacier will still exist.

Afterwards, we decide to turn around because the entire distance has to be driven back - there is no circular route back to the lodge. But even if you drive the same road again, you have many new impressions from a different perspective, and about 8 hours after our departure, we reach our starting point again. Once again, I can't believe what a miracle nature has produced and later lie in the hot tub, reviewing the day. Today was one of those moments that you don't forget so quickly: the drive on the Icefields Parkway through Jasper National Park. If you have the opportunity to do this, you should not miss it. A dream!