My highlight this year probably has been my solo trip through the west of Canada ??. I did the classic road trip, driving from Vancouver via the ski town of Whistler, the farms of Kamloops, Jasper, the iconic Icefields Parkway, Banff (all three in the Rocky Mountains), the little ski village of Revelstoke, the ugly industrial giant that is Kelowna, the little fruit towns around Pentincton, via the ‘pumpkin road’ in the south to the town of Hope and all the way back to Vancouver Island in the very west.
It wasn’t an off the beaten path or anything of the like, which is usually my wheelhouse. But Canada is just so immensely wild there’s no need to make things complicated, plus not all the roads were accessible anymore. You can find quietness and outdoor adventures all around.
Strike a pose ↑
When I arrived in Jasper from the west, a huge snowstorm had already locked in the little town on both the eastern and southern side. It wasn’t possible anymore to drive the famous Icefields Parkway (known as one of the most gorgeous highways in Canada) to Banff. Plus temperatures had already dropped to -15 C at night. In September, say whattttt!
I got slightly nervous because of that, as I wasn’t really prepared myself either for a very Canadian winter. Usually, around this time of year, the Rockies are still experiencing an ‘indian summer’. Nevertheless, in the end I was so so happy that I didn’t I didn’t miss out on the many snowy views. As autumn was still around as well, many mountains were both covered in foliage and snow. What a lucky bastard I was.
Mommy and me style, I though this was my cutest shot ↑
Although the small city of Banff in the south of the Rockies really was like a small fairytale due to all of the snow, I preferred the town of Jasper in so many ways. It felt way more real, if only because the town seems to have such a connected community.
I stayed a small week in Jasper and despite many trails were being closed due to the snowfall, the hikes I was able to do were just absolutely gorgeous (stay tuned for my favourite hikes!). I had the feeling there was no one around on the trails. The only disadvantage of that being that I had to sang for days on the top of my lungs, just to be sure I wouldn’t ran into any bears. Quite tough if you’re hiking up a slippery mountain.
Baby moose munching on at twig ↑
I had way better luck on the wildlife side, especially if I compare it to my days in Banff. I moose have had a bit of luck as I saw many of these fellows below too.
As I’m currently also making a selection with my best Jasper pictures for another photo gallery I realize I just can’t include all of my moose pictures. But heck, it’s my blog parteyyy, so that’s why I’m posting this very article right now, dedicated to my favourite Jasper-animal.
A little wary, but stepping out of the forest to reach a new bunch of yummy leaves ↑
I think I saw something like twenty to twenty-five moose. Some of them probably also were the same. I sat in the snow for hours observing them (causing a bladder infection on the side, but the pictures were worth it), and I figured they just have this very intelligent look. I have the feeling they’re even smarter than horses, just because of the way they were cautiously watching me as well. Their behaviour is slightly wary, which is kind of adorable too. Especially the little ones are both curious and cautious when they see a human. Also, the babies have the cutest expressions when eating.
So here you have it; an abundant collection of these long-legged beauties in Jasper! May they roam the grounds forever.
On the right side again a baby moose. The mother is licking the salt from the ground, that’s why you sometimes see them close to the road
Just like yoga; a downward moose position
The little one is always staying close to momma moose while looking at me
Here’s one inspecting me as well
The last rays of the day were bouncing off some orange hues in the lake when this baby moose stepped into the scene. Not the perfect shot, but a wonderful moment for sure!
This one was walking for a bit along the road before it daring to cross it
Cuckoo!
Two-for-one downward moose
Another beaut popping up
At the end of the day, these two are looking for easier ways to cross the forest
The babies are always keeping an eye on me, even tough the mom seems to care very little
Such a darn cute expression of this baby
Munching on the last leaves
Look at that little one, secretly licking the ground in the back
And one more of this beautiful long-legged beauty.
Here’s where I spotted all of them in Canada!
