Columbia Icefields

We were jumping for joy or at least to keep warm in the Columbia Icefield today, on the way to Jasper in the Canadian Rockies. Its the largest icefield south of Alaska, shimmering glacial ice and snow cover some 325 square kilometres. The on-going accumulation of snow continuously feeds eight major glaciers including the Athabasca, Dome and Stutfield glaciers, which are all visible from the Icefields Parkway. The drive from Lake Louise to Jasper was like driving on another planet, especially for foreigners like us who are not used to all that snow, ice and fast flowing rivers. What a treat to drive through this gorgeous landscape on our way west towards Vancouver!

Banff...

This morning we arrived at The Banff Centre, surrounded by the Rockies, which has provided professional career development and lifelong learning for artists and cultural leaders in performing, literary, new media, and visual arts. Their work is showcased throughout the year in public concerts, exhibitions, and events, culminating in the Banff Summer Arts Festival. Tonight we saw an incredible Jazz Concert showing off some of the best young musicians this place has to offer. Tomorrow we have a day to explore the place and do a mountain walk. On Monday we are conducting a Paper Playback Workshop for the Banff Leadership Program. This inspiring place seems unique and it offers every combination of arts of every kind, leadership and a conference centre all inside the Banff National Park.

The Canadian Rockies

Arriving in Canmore, in the Canadian Rockies, from Calgary this week was an incredible surprise. The beauty surrounding the town is extra- ordinary, with snow covered mountains, fast flowing rivers and beautiful sunshine. It's the ideal place to take off time from the fast pace of the city and regenerate one's creativity. And that's just what we did before grabbing the Greyhound for Banff today...