We slept in and decided to start the day by calling our dad's since it was too late to call when we got in last night. I love Google Hangout. You can make calls using wifi so there aren't international charges. Not to mention there is no cell service up here anyway.
Then we decided to walk from our hotel to the Athabasca Glacier before the crowds and bus loads of people arrived. It was a nice walk and felt good to stretch the legs. 
That's the glacier behind me.
As you walk up there are markers showing where the glacier was in different years. It is crazy to see how much has melted away. They say in 100 years this glacier will be gone.
We were able to get pretty close to it and had the whole are to ourselves this morning. It was really nice. As we walked down the tour groups were arriving. We got back to the hotel and packed up to head downstairs for lunch. Apparently this place (The Icefield Center) is an Asian sensation. Seriously, bus loads of them. The restaurant was delicious Asian food as well. Who knew in the middle of the Canadian Rockies?!
Then back on our bikes. We mentally prepared ourselves that we would start with a climb and then haves huge downhill. The climb wasn't bad at all today. I think we were both shocked by how fast it went by and how less steep it was. And then the huge downhill (2-3 miles). We flew down the hill. It was so much fun! We passed one cyclist going up the hill, I am so glad I was going down! At the bottom it was so windy again. It really felt like I was going to be pushed back up the mountain.
Pretty early in the day we left Jasper National Park and crossed into Banff Nation Park.
Us and our gear after th big downhill!
The rest of the biking day was pretty easy. Mike's knee is bothering him so it was nice that we only did 30 miles. Lots of downhills and small rolling hills today. And beautiful scenery of course. 
The weather has been amazing so far. Here's hoping we keep getting lucky!
We arrived at our motel, checked in and met another couple who are bike touring from Australia. There is a pub and restaurant I am sure we will check out in a while. Mike also pointed out there is a fitness room here. I readily told him NO!
We got some delicious Bbq and closed the night with a pint on the patio overlooking the mountains. I am pretty sure Canadian pints are larger than US pints.
Hahahaha. Oh Mike. "Erin, did you see there's a gym? We could sneak in some time on the rowing machine..."
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery and I bet the downhills were greatly appreciated. I'd never been to Jasper park but have driven across Banf many years ago. It is beautiful!
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