Johnston Canyon with the Wahl Family

Yesterday was a full day adventure with the Wahl family (unfortunately, minus Robert who was diligently studying for a cadet exam) out to Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park. It is a beautiful mountain canyon hike with two sets of waterfalls, now frozen with the winter temperatures. Summer and winter, both, are absolutely breathtaking.

We hit the road around 9:30 am, and arrived at Mount Royal College in Calgary to pick up Rebecca and see her flight simulator room. The crowd split in two for the drive, girls in the van, boys (plus Joanna) in the car to arrive at Johnton Canyon around 1 pm. We ate a picnic lunch, and hit the trail head by 2 pm.

We were all awed by God's creation. The fresh snow was heaped upon each tree branch. The canyon was silent, encased in ice and snow. In a few places, the water was still open as the stream bubbled over rocks not yet allowing the ice to form. Behind the massive icicles of the waterfall you could see water still running behind a thin veil of ice, but the thundering summertime waterfall was nearly silent. It is awesome to behold the power of a rushing river that carved such a deep canyon in the earth's surface, become nearly stilled and nearly silenced by winter.

Enough of the scenery. :) The real adventure was with the family!

Everyone on the catwalk at the Upper Falls.

Rebecca, Eryn, Philip, and Joanna.

Rebecca, Eryn, Jessica, and Joanna.

Strong man Philip!

At the Lower Falls.

Rebecca and Mom.

Philip

Joanna's Snow Angel.

We all experienced the fun of slipping, sliding, and climbing over one another to get to the top of the hike, and then back down again.

Dad and Joanna saved us from certain death...

By the time we got back to the vehicles around 4:30 pm, we were ready for some hot chocolate, a snack, and shortly after hit the road for home. While the ladies got supper pulled together (fresh home made bread and chicken-something-or-other in the crock pot), the kids and dads played bowling and tennis on the Wii, and looked at some of the pictures taken during the hike.

The evening ended in fun and laughter, and a general agreement that we need to do some more hiking in the summer. Bring it on!!