Road Trip! - Scenes Along The Way

My son Matt and I hit the road at 7:30am yesterday; headed for David Thompson country.  Both of us watched for that first glimpse of the mountain peaks.

I love that area; always have and always will.  It is simply amazing to be able to drive that highway and see such an abundance of wildlife, wildflowers, greenery and the majestic mountains in the distance.

I've driven this highway many times and it is a new adventure each day.  I have to say that so far, yesterday was outstanding.  There is so much to tell that I have to do it in chapters.  Today it is scenery along the route that we took.

We were traveling to Fish Lake, west of Nordegg for our first pit stop.  The mountains ahead of us were snow covered.  I've never seen them with that much snow at this time of year.  It does however add something to their beauty.

The trees along the roadside created a pallet of varying shades of green.  It was raining in some areas and the water droplets enhanced those greens.  So beautiful!  As we got closer to Fish Lake, a yellow carpet of dandelions covered the ditches; creating a natural buffet for the numerous bears that we saw.

Fish Lake has not changed.  It is still the same peaceful spot that it has been over the years.  We used to camp at this site quite often.  The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and you can fish off the shore.  It's a great place to spend a camping vacation if you are looking for peace and quiet.

There is a nice little hiking trail that meanders along the lake and then loops back into the evergreen forest.  The fresh air and the smell of the wet pine needles is the best aromatherapy ever.




 



After a short visit with cousin Michael who was camping there, Matt and I continued our journey west.  The next stop was Landslide Lake.  A prescribed burn happened there in 2009.  The forest is rejuvenating.  The bark is peeling off the burnt trees.  Young little aspens are shooting out the soil.  


 

 

Wildflowers are creating a colorful carpet.  Dandelions, northern bog violets, purple avens, and field chickweed could be seen alongside the trail.  Fireweed is abundant but is not yet in bloom.

Local aboriginals use the area for a ceremonial ground.  As you walk through the forest you can catch a glimpse of colorful prayer flags tied around tree trunks.  A sweat lodge could be seen in an open area.











 

We left Landslide Lake and continued west to the Mistaya River Canyon.  When you pull into the parking lot, you can hear the power of the water rushing through the canyon.  We were lucky that the rain held off long enough for us to get some great shots of the river.

A previous visitor set up an Inukshuk along the water's edge. The traditional meanings for these untouched stone sculptures is "Someone was here." or "You are on the right path."

I do believe we were on the right path.  It was a long drive for a single day trip but it was so worth it.  Mother Nature did not disappoint and I enjoyed every minute of the adventure.