Leavinf Calgary mid-morning on Dec. 28, 2005. Calgary is a city of autoroutes, overpasses, big loops and MANY hills, from the tops of which you can always see the Rockies. *

As we leave the city, the countryside becomes more gently rolling. *

The mountains on the far horizon are less than an hour's drive from Calgary. *

As we move into the foothills, we encounter stands of conifers. *

Typical foothill country east of Banff. *

...and always the mountains, growing larger and larger as we drive west. *

*

*

Some of the most beautiful alpine scenery in Canada - and these are NOT the higher Rockies! *