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When my
second daughter required assistance, she sent tickets for Bill and me to fly to Calgary and
look after her three boys aged 10, 3, and 1. It presented an opportunity for us to explore the
four awe-inspiring parks that collectively constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We
had previously visited the more renowned Banff and Jasper parks on the
Alberta side. Kootenay and Yoho National Parks, located on the British
Columbia side of the Canadian Rockies, were merely 3 ½ hours away from their residence.
These parks
are all linked to Calgary via a segment of the Trans-Canada Highway, one of the
lengthiest national highways globally, spanning 5,000 miles through ten provinces
from the Atlantic to the Pacific. We explored Kootenay and Yoho on separate
weekends. On the third weekend, we revisited Banff and Lake Louise, which were only 1 ½ hours away. The finale was a visit to the recently opened Glacier Skywalk on the Columbia Icefields between Banff and Jasper.
Despite having driven along this highway numerous times, I anticipated each drive to be routine. However, during the initial journey, my attention was caught by a sight that stayed with me through all eight drives to and from Calgary. There was a solitary red car, ascending on the road, heading straight towards a massive white mountain. I scrambled for my Nikon camera frantically, hindered by the strap tangled around my foot.
I made a
decision to stay vigilant, constantly seeking another opportunity. This change was welcomed by Bill; I was no longer the indifferent passenger. Later on, another opportunity arose, albeit lacking the magical essence. On the following Saturday, we found ourselves on the same road again and encountered another fascinating sight! The mountain appeared more majestic, but the car was white, vanishing into the mist.
Feeling frustrated, I yearned to orchestrate the same scene! My husband reminded me of the plethora of other beauties surrounding us. I was elated to witness a colossal yellow truck silhouetted against the gray mountains. White fluffy clouds danced around the snowy peaks, creating a mystical ambiance. A brightly painted train contrasted with the Rockies’ terrain. Serpentine pedestrian bridges interrupted the monotonous highway. The landscape was dotted with the common sight of RVs in various shapes and sizes. Occasionally, a red-roofed log cabin added vibrancy to the greenery. The Canadian Rockies truly are a remarkable place. However, upon returning home, I felt somewhat empty-handed.
During the last few days, a snowstorm was predicted. Nevertheless, we proceeded and stayed overnight in Canmore, the town preceding Banff, hoping for improved weather. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Despite my dislike for the cold, we persisted on our final weekend. The path to the Glacier Skywalk through the Icefields proved to be unfruitful. As we ascended to the highest elevation, surpassing 6,000 feet, endless queues of frosted evergreens bestowed upon me a delightful Christmas… in June! Would this be my saving grace?
However, on our
return trip, fate granted my desire. Although the car wasn’t red and low-lying clouds obscured the mountain, the road’s gentle incline replicated the enchantment I witnessed initially. As we continued the journey homeward, we competed with each other to devise titles that I could use when submitting the photo to Viewpoint’s Photo Show: Into the Mist, Into the Clouds, Into the Unknown. I was certain that my photo would receive favorable reactions due to its ability to evoke a myriad of emotions: the reasons why we venture beyond the mountains, beyond the mundane, beyond the evident.
The number of times I revisit the same location doesn’t matter. Nor does driving along the same familiar road. Something new will capture my attention. I am free to heed whatever my heart whispers, even if it’s just the pursuit of a photograph.
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