That I Might Not Be Silent

On the last day, Brian and I took it easy and relaxed in the beautiful town of Canmore.

 



 

We enjoyed walking along the scenic river trails which seemed to never end.

 

 

We wish we brought our bikes.



 

 

The trails were paved.





 

I loved seeing the different wildflowers!

 

 

These ones were my favourite.

 



 

At the end the trail led deep into the forest.

 



 

Squirrels could be seen and heard chirping for joy.

 



 

May we be like God's creatures and not be silent. May we sing praises and give thanks to Him forever!

 

"That I might sing praises to You

and not be silent, O Lord my God,

I will give you thanks forever!"

Psalm 30:12 (NLT) 



How The Mountains Would Quake!

Even though mountains represent strength and stability in our world, they would quake at the mere presence of God.

 

"Oh, that you would burst from the heavens

and come down!

How the mountains would quake in your presence!"

Isaiah 64:1 (NLT)

 

On the third day Brian and I stayed in Canmore, we again went to Banff to climb up another one of God's mountains---Sulfur Mountain. This hike is rated as strenuous, but Brian and I felt we were up to it.

 

 

Our sons had now gone home, so it was just the two of us. As we hiked up this mountain, the Gondola brought people up to the top the easy way.

 



 

It took us one and a half hours for us to reach the top by keeping a reasonable steady pace without stopping. We started with two young adult girls who boasted they were soccer athletes, and beat them by fifteen minutes. They hiked at a faster pace, but kept stopping to catch their breaths. They would pass us and then we would pass then. Near the end the passing stopped all together. When we bumped into each other again at the top, they avoided eye contact. (I guess their inflated ego deflated.)

 



After the hike, Brian and I stopped to view Bow Falls, and then walked through all the different stores in the town of Banff.

It was again a beautiful day to enjoy God's majesty in creation!

He Sends Forth Springs

"He sends forth springs

in the valleys;

they flow between the mountains."

Psalm 104:10 (NASB)

 

The Cave and Basin, located in the town of Banff, is one out of nine sulphurous hot springs formed on the northeast side of Sulphur Mountain.

 

 

Banff National Park was Canada's first National Park.

 





 

And in 1981, the Cave and Basin was declared a National Historic Site.

 

 



After Brian, I, and our sons explored the Cave and Basin, we hiked along one of the nearby trails which bordered along the beautiful turquoise waters of Bow River.

 





 

Bow River was named after the reeds that grew along the banks because these reeds were used by Native Americans to make their bows.

 

  

The Rocky Mountain peaks are jagged and some are spectacularly sharp as pyramids.

 



 

Then there is Alberta's National Flower, the Wild Rose, still in bloom and displaying their bright pink petals and fragrant smell.

 



 

Who May Climb The Mountain Of The Lord?

On the second day, my husband, our sons and I hiked the Grassi Lakes Trail in Canmore.

 

 

On the trail my youngest son Matthew spotted two trees his height apart, so he decided to climb both of them at the same time. (He doesn't like boring pictures, so he can get quite creative.)

 

 

As we got closer to the top of the mountain and looked back, the view was spectacular.

 

 

However, it wasn't comparable to the beauty that laid before us. 

 



 

A large waterfall cascaded down the mountain slope.

 



 

And finally at our destination, the Grassi Lakes revealed the majestic beauty of waters coloured sky blue, turquoise and lime green.

 



 

As we circled the second lake, my youngest son Matthew again posed for a picture when he spotted a small cave on the side of the rock cliff. (I have to admit, he can be entertaining.)

 





 

Hiking in Banff and Canmore, my family and I experienced the joy of climbing several of God's beautiful mountains. However, one day we will climb the most beautiful mountain of all and stand in His holy place!

 



"Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?

Who may stand in His holy place.?

Psalm 14:3 (NLT)

From Beginning to End, You Are God

While Brian, our sons and I hiked the Plains of Six Glaciers Trail, we came across many points of interest.

 

 

Our son Matthew noticed this large tree and wondered what was still holding it up.

 



 

Then we came across rock climbers. (I hate heights, so I couldn't watch them for very long.)

 





 

Not far from the rock climbers we also noticed a large gap between the rocks where the mountain split and separated---a small canyon! 

 



As we continued our climb up the mountains, we spotted a pretty stream with small waterfalls.

 

Later when we looked back, Lake Louise and the famous Fairmont Hotel could be seen from a distance.

 



When we reached our destination, all six glaciers could be seen.

 

It was truly a beautiful hike!

 





There was even a  Log Cabin Tea House at the end where we each enjoyed a raspberry lemonade to refresh ourselves for the climb back down.

Before any of these beautiful mountains were born, God existed. From beginning to end, He is God!

 

"Before the mountains were born,

before You gave birth to the earth

and the world,

from beginning to end,

You are God."

Psalm 90:2 (NLT)

Enjoy What You Have

Chunky chipmunks roamed freely in Banff National Park, surprisingly approaching people without reservation.

 



 

These tame chipmunks were obviously used to being fed by humans.

 

 

They begged for food and weren't afraid to get close.





 

Like me, my son Matthew delights in animals, so he enjoyed their presence.

 

\

 

Unfortunately, most of the chipmunks were overweight.

 



 

It is tempting to feed the chipmunks human food, but isn't good for them.

 





 

These chipmunks no longer enjoy what God has provided for them in nature. They now desire more---what they didn't have before.

"Enjoy what you have

rather than desiring what you don't have.

Ecclesiastes 6:9a (NLT)

God Prepares Beforehand The Path

Saturday of last week, Brian and I, and our three of our sons, Daniel, Timothy and Matthew drove to Banff, Alberta to hike for a few days some of the popular trails in Banff and Canmore. We have lived in Alberta for over six years and have never been to either places.

 

Our first stop was Lake Louise, where we started our hike up to the Plains of Six Glaciers.

 

Lake Louise is the most photographed lake in all of Canada.  I can understand why! It's magnificent turquoise waters against the jagged glacier mountains is beyond belief! The memory must be captured by camera.

 

I envied the people who were canoeing or kayaking on this heavenly lake.

 



 

To add to this paradise, wildflowers of  all colours bloomed along the shore.

As we began our hike up the mountains, the exquisite Fairmont hotel which is situated on the shores of Lake Louise could be viewed from afar like a fairytale castle built against blue skies, rugged mountains and tall Alpine trees.

It was a beautiful day for a hike. The air was clear, the temperature was warm, but not hot, and a gentle breeze could be felt against our skin.

 

 

As we followed the path laid out for us, I was reminded that each of us are created in Christ Jesus for His workmanship to do good works which God has prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

 



"For we are His workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand

so that we would walk in them."

Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)