July 2002
Spirit of Chicago boat cruise off of Navy Pier
We took our first vacation with Cooper. It certainly was not as relaxing as a pre-kid vacation but it went well. Cooper was very good. Firsts for Cooper on the vacation include: first airplane trip , first time out of the country (we went to Alberta and British Columbia in Canada), first National Park visits (Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks), first time on a glacier, and first time in outdoor hot springs.
We took Cooper on a 7 mile hike up to Lake Annette on our first full day in Banff National Park. The lake sits beneath a 1,000+ foot rock face capped with a glacier. Cooper rode in the backpack looking over my shoulder the entire time so he didn't miss any action. Whenever we crossed a creek or river (which were running fast) he giggled at the water. We hiked with another couple we met at the trail head. Hiking in groups is encouraged on this trail because a grizzly bear lives in the area. We talked with them most of the trip. Whenever our conversation let down a bit Cooper seemed to 'talk' a little more.
After hiking to Lake Annette we drove to Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peak to sight see. Unfortunately, the temperature started dropping and never really recovered during our week in the Rockies. The glacier-fed lakes have an amazing greenish-blue color which only partially shows in these photographs. The color is due to the particles in the glacial run-off that feeds the lakes.
Cooper at Chateau Lake Louise with Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier in the background. We took a stroll along the right side of Lake Louise to the back end of the lake. Fortunately, we were able to keep Cooper in the stroller because the baby pack back really didn't work very well. When Michelle and I got engaged in 1997 we stayed at Chateau Lake Louise.
We drove out onto the glacier in this snow coach. Before hitting the ice, we drove half-way up the glacier along the lateral moraine. Then we got in the snow coach and drove out on top the ice. We are standing on the glacier.
Peyto Lake
Icefields Parkway
Cooper's first trip to outdoor hot springs. Michelle and I enjoyed these Banff hot springs in 1997 and we went back twice this week with Cooper. The 100 degree water felt great since the air temperature was in the 40's and 50's.
Town of Banff. We got engaged in Banff in February 1997. The peak to the left is Mt. Rundle. The road to the right of Mt. Rundle (across the valley) leads up to Banff's Upper Hot Springs.
Cooper and mom at Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park just west of Banff in British Columbia.
We visited the highest waterfall in Canada - Takakkaw Falls. The waterfall is located in Yoho National Park.
