Jasper (AB) – Banff (AB) | 500 km
It is often said that retracing your steps is synonymous with boredom and monotony. Here, it is quite the opposite!
We head back toward Banff, crossing the national parks once again (entry fee of $19.60). We take our time, as the vistas are once again impressive. This “forces” us to make multiple stops to capture a few memorable shots.
For lunch, we enjoy a picnic facing the majestic Columbia Icefield. I had visited this place in 1984, and the transformation of the area is incredible—especially the striking retreat of the ice. The melting is so rapid that the glacier has receded several hundred meters since my last visit. It also appears much smoother, with fewer deep crevasses. It remains a staggering sight nonetheless.
We continue toward Banff, arriving around 17:00. Fortunately, we had booked the night before. Even if some hotels still show availability, I strongly recommend booking in this kind of tourist zone: a late arrival often means having to pay a premium for the last available rooms.
The town is very lively, but in a very… touristy way! It is a true bubble where Germans, Spaniards, Italians, Asian travelers, and, of course, many Quebecers cross paths, all packed onto the sidewalks and the few terraces.
To save a bit of money and enjoy the beautiful weather, we decide to have an outdoor dinner in a park. Finding a nice green space by the river only takes a few minutes. Finding the food is more complex. We eventually opt for sushi. After a 45-minute wait and a bill of $45 (so much for the savings!), the feast is ready. All that’s missing is a good bottle of wine found at the Liquor Store.
We settle at a picnic table with a view of the river, determined to savor this near-final evening.
One small oversight: we hadn’t realized that other creatures were also looking for a feast… and that the prey would be two Quebec tourists! Scarcely had we settled in, unpacked the sushi, and served the wine, when we were invaded by an army of hungry mosquitoes. Despite our attempts to swat them away, it was impossible to stay put. After five minutes, we had to flee to a slightly more hospitable location!
