Incredible Icefields

              Driving to the Columbia Icefields was the most scenic I have ever taken.

Majestic Mountains carved by glaciers.

Rivers and Lakes with turquoise water from glacier silt, were astonishing.

The glacier advances.

We took a bus to get to ice explorer .

The Athabasca Glacier

We had 20 minutes to walk on the glacier.

I'm glad I didn't miss this.  The projection is no more glaciers by 2030.

The scenic drive back was so enjoyable.  I took video of the scenery.  Later when I watched the video I heard myself say: "I can't believe it!  I can't believe it!" It's so beautiful

This is the landscape!

I say good-bye to my friends in Jasper National Park and head to my campground in Lake Louise.

Banff, Big, Beautiful

I arrived at Banff National Park Campsite A50.  I have a beautiful spot overlooking mountains and a scenic pullout!

A German Tourist Bus was camping below me.  A most interesting way to travel.

                            Lake Minnewanka in Banff.  A beautiful Lake and a cool crisp day.

Pictures could not capture the beauty of the place.

I arrived early at The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel to get a parking spot.  What a huge grand hotel.  I easily got lost wandering around the hotel.  It was cloudy and not a good day for pictures.  Winston Churchill stayed at the Banff Springs hotel in 1929 and painted outside his room window.  The picture still hangs in London.  I thought of Pauline and all of her room paintings!

 Bow Falls in Banff, I tried to sketch but mosquitos were after me.  Rain was also threatening!

Cascade Gardens was started as a work project in the 1930's.  I loved it.

 Banff Art Centre was the spot with free wifi but it didn't always work.  I did discover this art museum. They had an exhibit titled "Pleinairsm".  It had work by contempory and conceptual artists.
The idea was outdoors influences their art.  What a concept!  I didn't see too much I liked.

These Bighorn Sheep were along the road.

20 minute painting.  It needs another 10 minutes.  Ha! Ha!

20 minute painting outside.

The weather was always changing.

                                                      On to the Icefields and Lake Louise.

Across the border to Waterton National Park, Alberta Canada

Cameron Falls in Waterton National Park.  I rode my bike to visit the falls, also rode all over Waterton.

I took a boat tour on Waterton Lake.
                      It was a beautiful sunny day.  The guide said they have 3 good days a year.      Ha! Ha!

View on Boat tour of Waterton Lake

The guide said Waterton is the windest place in Alberta, Canada.  I enjoyed the day, and was able to sketch on the boat ride.

The Prince of Whales Hotel over looks the town.
They were serving tea when I checked out the lobby.

I have a great campsite right by Waterton Lake.  It has electricity, showers and a bike path to stores and restaurants.

I kept turning my chair to find the best view but they were all wonderful.  I love the sun rising and setting on the mountains.

I love it!  Waterton has free Wifi in the park!
I think every park should have it!

Carol on a beautiful day at Goat Haunt in Glacier National Park.

I stopped by the park this morning to finish my breakfast and publish my blog.  On to Banff

Watercolor Workshop With Montana Gals!

Birds Nest Cabin

 Glacier Institute
 I am staying at Birds Nest Cabin by myself.  I decided this would be my subject to paint for the workshop.
     Our instructor  is Karen Leigh.  She is a wonderful artist and person who teaches at the Flathead Community College.  It sounds like things are going well for their College and Art Department.  I liked Karen immediately.  She was a good teacher.

Birds Nest Cabin

Karen Leigh painting.

 Painting outside, I liked my picture in the shadows.

Little Cabin in the Woods
My first painting in the workshop.

 The next day we did 2 paintings in a timed period of 20 minutes for each painting.

We went to Fish Creek Picnic Area for lunch and to sketch.  We were going to paint there but the wind came up and was relentless.

 The Montana women and one Southern California girl.. They were wonderful women who liked to drink wine, fly fish and Paint.  Diane and Maureen, from Montana, hosted a wine and cheese party on Sunday night.  I liked these women, they were lots of fun.

Fish Creek, a picture for a painting.

Karen demonstrates!

Tips from Karen for my Painting Friends!
1. Paint the dog before you paint the fleas.
2. Keep the whole painting going!
3. 3 Value studies before painting..
4.  The more you paint the better you get.

 She has taken workshops from almost everyone including Skip Lawrence.  She really likes Josesph   Zbukvic.
WE have heard it all before, but I like the way she presented techniques and it was fun to meet the Montana Artists.  It was a great time.
On to Canada tomorrow!

I'm In Heaven at Glacier National Park

Two Sketches of Mountains at Logan's Pass.

 This is Heaven's Peak on The Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park.

I took the Red Bus Tour on The Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Emily was the driver and tour guide for Red Bus 90.  She could drive and talk at the same time. The original Red Buses were built in 1936 for the National Park.   Ford  re-did them in 2003.

Of course we waited for construction.

                                                       I sat in the front with Emily.

                                                  It was quite a ride!

Quick Sketch!

Quick sketch!

Glacier is called the Swiss Alps of North America.  The motto of The Great Northern RailRoad was: 

See America First!

I really enjoyed The Red Bus Tour on Going-to-the-Sun Road.

The ride back was thrilling. We saw three Mountain Goats grazing in the Alpine Meadow.  One Mother and  baby. No, I didn't get a picture or a sketch.

I needed a little red paint for this sketch.  Onward to Glacier Institute and Watercolors.

The spelling and spacing mistakes are the fault of the blogger.com or whatever.  It couldn't be me?