Day 15 - Banff to Jasper, Alberta. 193 miles ridden today. Total from Indianapolis - 2,732 miles.

Ron and Fred go over last minute directions to the airport with the valet attendant.

Mike's addition to the tour pack of his bike.

Pam in front of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.

After a wonderfully relaxing week in Canada, the final minutes of our time together were ticking down.  The vacation is soon over.  Today the girls would head home. 

Pam and Bonnie drove the rented cars from Banff to Calgary's airport.  The drive would be an easy one.   With red rimmed, tearing eyes the ladies said goodbye to their husbands.  Hugs and be safe wishes were exchanged between everyone in the group.  And they were off.

The six adventurers finished loading their gear on the bikes.  Leaving the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel they headed north along the Icefields Parkway towards Jasper.

 

When looking at scenery like this Joe calmly states, "You can't make this stuff up."

Fred riding along.

Big Horn Sheep 

David

Ron

The temperature is dropping, Fred, Joe and David stop to add extra layers for warmth.

They continued on.

Bear country to be certain.  Enormous signs along the road warn you of inherent danger.

Joe

Black bear sighting.

That sow had a cub with her!

   

Stu checked the water level in that lake.  It must have been a little low.

 The six arrived at the Columbia Icefield in Jasper National Park.  The glacier at the Icefield is actually sitting astride the Continental Divide.  This is located in both Banff and Jasper National Parks.
Mike points out the sign.
A nasty, sleety drizzle began to fall on the fellas.

 

 The glacier was at its greatest size when discovered in 1844.
 According to the information posted at the site it has shrunk significantly since then.
By the time the guys reached the glacier the freezing drizzle had changed to snow flurries.

After the Icefields the group arrives in Jasper.