Today was our big road day. When LB got up, we all got up, got ready and headed out. We had about a two and a half hour drive up the the Columbia Icefield. We got there a bit later than I'd hoped-due to some construction on the road. When we arrived, we grabbed sweatshirts and headed to the ticket booth. We made the bus that was heading to Athabasca Glacier by about 1 minute. It was a regular motorcoach bus, but then we got to the place where we got to ride in the "snow bus" as LB called it. These are specially designed busses that drive out onto the glacier. There were only something like 30 of them made and all but one are at the glacier, the other is in Antarctica and used to shuttle people from the airport to the science station.

We boarded the giant bus and headed to the glacier. So LB got to stand and walk on a glacier. He really enjoyed it, but it was VERY VERY cold. We were up there for about 15 minutes and then the bus (called an Ice Explorer) headed back to the base station and then the regular bus took us back to the starting point. We hung out there for a while, and then it started raining. We headed to the car and decided to go to the place where we could walk to the toe of the glacier and eat lunch. After lunch we decided to give the toe of the glacier a go. It had stopped raining for the time being, so we headed out. It was cold and windy and steep. We all made it to where the path leveled out, but LB complained that his ears were cold (and I don't blame him, mine were too) and wanted to head back, so we headed back.

We got into the car and headed back the 2.5 hour drive. This time, we timed it so that he would sleep in the car, and nap he did. Got just about 2 hours!! (of course, let's not talk about what that did to bedtime)

The drive, both there and back, was unspeakably beautiful. I couldn't even hope to describe it, and the pictures won't do it justice either. Every time we came around a turn or saw some new view it was just amazing. It was also interesting to see how different things looked heading north vs. heading south. Either direction was just amazing though.

On the way back, it rained off and on, but nothing too bad. We made it back to the condo, futzed around a bit, went for a short walk and then had dinner. Then Phil and LB went to the hot tub and I went to the supermarket to pick up a few things that I thought we'd like. And now LB's asleep (I think/hope) but getting him to stay in bed was tough.

And I think that sums it up for tonight.