The ice field Skywalk

The previous post in this series is here..

After the visit to the glacier and back, we were told that the ticket includes a ride to the skywalk and back. So we went in a larger bus to the skywalk bus stop. From this stop it is a half mile walk to the Skywalk.

San actually did a great job taking that picture given the crowd! I am a very proud photographer hubby..

This is an engineering marvel !! A U shaped piece of projecting steel and glass above the abyss. You are walking on glass and it is scary to walk on. The thing still shakes a bit in the heavy winds and that scared me a little more. 

We saw a family of mountain sheep under the bridge. These sheep were amazing movers on near vertical surfaces! The baby was extremely cute!!

We read through the engineering details of the bridge, quickly walked through it (it was way too crowded) and got back on the next bus. 

This is a must visit place. I think this will be even more beautiful when the mountains facing the skywalk have snow on them. Right now the river and the waterfalls are beautiful but not obviously visible.

A video of the Skywalk..

When you see a place like this.. you are proud to be an engineer. Heard a kid walk before me and say "this is just engineers showing off. They really didn't need to build something like this.. but they went and did it anyways!"  I walked behind laughing. 

What is more amazing is the engineering that is there in those sheeps soft padded feet that can grip any shape of rock as they go up on those vertical rock faces.. 

On the return to Banff, we stopped by a waterfall first and headed to stop by two lakes.

Will post that next..

When engineers try art..

Volunteering at daughters school for the Art program this year. Today was the first class from the masters to the wannabe art instructors.

It was interesting. The only downside was a two hour delay going to work and that made work way too hectic.

At first there was a short introduction to the artist and his particular type of art. Then all the parent volunteers were given an hour to try the concept themselves.

Our work then went up on the wall for the kids to see.

The artist ? Henri Mattisse
The art type ? gouaches découpés (painting with scissors)

No pencils were allowed. We were given a glue stick, some scissors and a range of colored paper.

We had to cut shapes and stick them on the paper to create art.

Some of the parents who are doing this for the third or fourth time came up with really good work.

This was daddy narayanan's first attempt..

It did get a few looks and positive comments for the rainbow concept. Some parents did point out that the rainbow colors were not in VIBGYOR order and I beat the ability to circle the ring behind the saturn to death by putting way too many saturns.

Told them that it was artistic license!

For more on the amazing Henri, please go to this page that is a great resource on the man and his art! 

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