Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (August 13-14, 2008)

Vancouver is a port city in southwestern British Columbia, surrounded by water on three sides, and nestled in the shadows of the Coast Mountain Range. The native Coast Salish people lived in the area for thousands of years before Captain George Vancouver first explored the Burrard Inlet in 1792.

In 1858, a gold rush on the Fraser River east of Vancouver drew thousands of prospectors, and European settlement of the region began in earnest. The development of the cross-country Canadian Pacific Railway during the 1880s brought additional immigrants and further boosted the economy.

Today, Vancouver is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a spectacular natural backdrop. Vancouverites like to brag that at the right time of year, they can ski in the morning and then relax on the beach in the afternoon. Because of its international population, the compact city also boasts a diverse cultural scene and a mouthwatering variety of ethnic restaurants. With all it has to offer, it’s not surprising that Vancouver consistently ranks among the world’s best places to live.

A water taxi carries passengers across English Bay from downtown Vancouver to nearby Granville Island. Overflowing with unique galleries, shops, restaurants and a bustling Public Market, Granville Island is a wonderful place to while away an afternoon.

Children enjoy the water park at Granville Island; the island also has a huge covered market with toys, books and activities just for children

One of Granville Island's more than 50 independent arts-and-crafts studios and galleries

Granville Island's famous Public Market, where shoppers can find fresh produce, local seafood, homemade products and a tempting array of snack stalls

The Capilano Suspension Bridge, built in 1889, stretches 450 feet across and 230 feet above the Capilano River in north Vancouver

On the Road from Alberta to British Columbia, Canada (August 7-13, 2008)

I spent a week traveling along Canada’s Highway 1 from Calgary, Alberta to Vancouver, British Columbia, with stops in Banff, Alberta and Sun Peaks, British Columbia. For the most part, the Trans-Canada Highway was a simple two-lane road through beautiful wilderness areas. The scenery ranged from wide open plains in southern Alberta to craggy, snow-covered peaks near Banff; and from dry, scrubby hills in southwestern British Columbia to green coastal forests near Vancouver. Here are just a few photos from the road:

Endless bales of hay on the road north to Calgary (Highway 2)

Driving through the impressive Canadian Rockies; the Rocky Mountains span more than 3000 miles from British Columbia, Canada in the north to New Mexico, U.S.A. in the south

Scenic Highway 1 passes through Banff, Yoho and Glacier National Parks; these three parks, together with Kootenay NP (adjacent to Banff NP), comprise the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site

This train along Highway 1 near Cache Creek, British Columbia seemed to stretch on forever. Two national railways - the CPR and the CNR - laid tracks here in the late 19th and early 20th centuries; the Trans Canada Highway, however, wasn’t completed until 1962.

Not as worrisome as the "Prison Area; Hitchhiking Prohibited" sign I passed in Nevada, U.S.A.!

More Photos (III) of Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (August 8-10, 2008)

Purple wildflowers color the mountainsides around Lake Louise

The view over Banff NP from the top of “Big Beehive”

Here I am at the top of Big Beehive, with Lake Louise far below

Crystal-clear Lake Agnes reflects the blue sky above

Lake Agnes Tea House was first built as a rustic shelter in 1904, then converted into a tea room in the 1920s; it has been a popular day hiking destination ever since. Tea and biscuits: a most civilized way to end a hike.

Storm clouds begin to roll in over Lake Louise; 30 minutes later, it was hailing!

More Photos (II) of Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (August 8-10, 2008)

The milky emerald waters of Lake Louise; the color of the water comes from rock flour deposited in the lake by the melting glaciers above

Looking down on Lake Louise from the Plain of Six Glaciers

Canadian-style cairns, or inukshuks, on the trail

Hiking out to Victoria Glacier

Another view of Lake Louise, surrounded by mountains on all sides

The historic Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, built in 1924, serves homemade treats baked on a wood stove – and of course, tea – to hungry hikers

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (August 8-10, 2008)

Banff NP, established in 1885, is the birthplace of Canada’s national park system and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1883, Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers discovered hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Soon thereafter, a reserve was created around the springs – primarily to attract wealthy patrons of the railway – and businesses began to pop up. In 1888, the Banff Springs Resort (at the time, the world's largest hotel, now a Fairmont property) opened its doors, thus ensuring Banff’s status as one of North America’s most popular resort destinations for years to come.

Today, Banff encompasses 2,564 square miles of land, stretching from the town of Banff in the south to the Columbia Icefield in the north, with the popular Lake Louise in between. While the park attracts many visitors because of its resort-style comforts and accessibility, it’s the stunning natural scenery that keeps people coming back.

Pristine glacial lakes, swift rivers, green meadows, thick forests and the massive Rocky Mountains make for an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. The park maintains a wide variety of trails, for everything from hiking, biking and horseback riding in summer, to skiing and snowshoeing in winter. And, after climbing a mountain in the morning, hikers can trade their muddy boots for ballet flats and enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea at one of the posh Fairmont resorts. Banff may indeed have the best of both worlds!

Famous Lake Louise, with the equally famous Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise on the eastern shore, for those traveling in luxury

My humble (and borrowed) tent – only slightly less luxurious than the Fairmont

Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Banff Springs is a decadent affair

The spectacular view from the Fairmont Banff Springs over the Bow Valley

A not-so-subtle warning to campers in Banff

A small bunny is much better to find in one’s campsite than a large grizzly bear

More Photos (III) of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Montana, U.S.A and Alberta, Canada (August 5-7, 2008)

On the trail beside Josephine Lake, near Many Glacier. Apparently, I walked right past a black bear not far from this spot.

The beautiful Grinnell Lake, with Grinnell Glacier high above

Another view of Grinnell Lake from above, with wildflowers blanketing the mountainside

A closer view of Grinnell Glacier, one of the largest glaciers in the park

Big horn sheep congregate near Grinnell Glacier

Swiftcurrent Lake, with Mt. Gould in the background

More Photos (II) of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Montana, U.S.A and Alberta, Canada (August 5-7, 2008)

The “Garden Wall,” a knife-edged ridge (known as an arete) along the Continental Divide, was formed by glaciers on either side

A mountain goat and baby walk along the snow near Hidden Lake Overlook

Here I am at Hidden Lake Overlook. The trees in the background are surprisingly tiny, but they’re actually hundreds of years old; entire elfin forests exist here, stunted and twisted by the harsh alpine environment.

The other side of Hidden Lake; the lake sits in a glacially carved basin

The double-decker St. Mary Falls

St. Mary Lake, surrounded by peaks on the eastern side of the park, is almost as long as Lake McDonald