Banff to Jasper

		They advertise the Ice Fields Parkway as "The most beautiful highway in the world." Well, I haven't been everywhere in the world, but I have been to many places in the North American Continent, and haven't found a reason to argue yet. There may be a particularly beautiful area on a lot of roads, but for the most spectacular 200 or so miles I have seen, this is it. All of these pictures were taken in 2002, in September. There was no traffic at all. Even in the most popular overlooks, as judged by the size of the parking lots, we were pretty much alone. Banff is a typical tourist town. Lots of condos, shops, and inns, all with stunning views of surrounding mountains. Lake Louise in the sunshine is one of the most spectacular sites I have visited. The lodge lends a classic human presence on the downhill side, and the glaciers which separate the sky from the towering mountain precipices grab the eye to the uphill side. The lodge is a bargain for several hundred dollars a night, maybe one day. From Lake Louise to Jasper, take lots of film. There isn't anything much but the most variable and unique mountains one may ever see unroll before them. The view changes with the shadows of the clouds and the progressive angle of the sun, and each mile traveled both hides and reveals. For this visit, skies were variable, winds were negligible, and temperatures were cool (60's days, near freezing at night). I can't wait to see all of these sights again.