Day 2 - Great Falls, Montana to Banff National Park, Alberta

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The border had very light traffic. Having a Passport, while not required yet, made the procedure a whole lot quicker. Alberta , home of Banff and Jasper National Parks and the Icefields Highway, is still one of my favorite provinces and the province we have visited most often. Later in this trip I visited the Yukon for the first time. I grew to really love the Yukon as well. Boston Pizza is a large chain in Canada, with over 400 restaurants. Michelle and I usually try to have lunch at this one in Lethbridge. While it is probably just another chain restaurant to Canadians, we really like their menu. . This barn, just south of Calgary has caught our attention each time we have passed it. I have also seen it in a number of travel brochures. I thought we would finally get our own picture. I found it really easy to get my horizon off on photos when taking pictures with my helmet on. It was something I really tried to improve upon as the trip went on. Great Falls, Montana to Banff National Park, Alberta In getting off the main road to a more rural route, I stopped right beside this group of horses It didn't take long for this pair to become interested in me. Thoughout the trip animals seemed to notice me on the bike more than they did other vehicles. It didn't take long for this pair to become interested in me. Thoughout the trip animals seemed to notice me on the bike more than they did other vehicles. Soon I was no longer interesting Then another pair came over, but they tried to appear disinterested Somehow they still needed to look This group no longer cared at all, or they just thought their profile would make a better picture This animal was really disturbed by the people who kept getting ever closer for photographs. People will stop in the middle of the highways in Canada, whenever there is a wild animal. The photographers are much more dangerous than the animal. The beauty of traveling by motorcycle is that I have a very small profile and can pull to the side of the road and take pictures without ever leaving the bike. All of the following photographs are backlit by the late day sun Then she was curious what was going on behind her. While she appears to be looking at me, I think she was interested in the 18-wheeler behind me. Eventually she went back to grazing Another large motorhome got her attention Then she gets spooked again by more 'photographers' getting closer and closer The velvet on her antlers was very pronounced with the backlighting One last shot This is the beginning of the Icefields Highway. Still my favorite motorcycle ride in North America. I haven't traveled this road this late in the day before. One of the pulloffs we usuallly visit at Bow Lake is closed. I am told it is because of lingering snow. Usually a bright turquise, the late sun and lingering ice make this shot of Bow Lake look more like winter than the beginning of June. Usually a bright turquise, the late sun and lingering ice make this shot of Bow Lake look more like winter than the beginning of June. Usually a bright turquise, the late sun and lingering ice make this shot of Bow Lake look more like winter than the beginning of June. Usually a bright turquise, the late sun and lingering ice make this shot of Bow Lake look more like winter than the beginning of June. Here is one of my favorite shots of Bow Lake taken in mid-July, 2004.