Blogs from Jasper, Alberta, Canada, North America - page 2

Geo: 52.8736, -118.083Snorers! So apparently not all of the snorers made it into the cabins...... One rogue buffalo made it into the tent area and thus a fitful night ensued. However, on the upside, we had another beautiful drive ahead of us in our way to Jasper National Park. As we drove the black road, which cut through the landscape like a giant liquorice rope, we passed by brilliant turquoise lakes, set deep within curtains of pine trees, the few deciduous trees scattered amongst them having begun to change colour to beautiful shades of burnt orange, golden brown and deep yellow. We sailed past the Rocky Mountaineer, carrying its luxury passengers through the stunning scenery, their view as impressive as ours. On and on we drove through mountain passes - the jagged tops of multicoloured rock ... read more

Avid followers or insomniacs, we have now arrived in Jasper after the overnight Canadian train from Vancouver. Yesterday was spent circumnavigating (going round in circles) Stanley Park, one of Vancouvers premier tourist attractions. Plenty of things going on. Bowling (Chris variety), cycling, fishing. Very impressive gardens, brilliant sea life aquarium and a slightly less thrilling children's mini train ride (practice for future holidays?). I did consider a spot of totem pole sitting but we ran out of time. Perhaps just as well. However I did catch a fish - got photo to boot. But is it another Overton sized Whopper? Your call. After returning the hire car to the most obscure location in Vancouver - (no signs to direct us to the bowels of a posh hotel near the cruise liners dock), we boarded the train ... read more

I'm writing this in the restaurant at the top of 'The Whistlers' in Jasper. We got the sky tram up. Steph isn't happy at the moment aesthete is a huge family sat in the same area as us and they are talking very loud. It's hard to hear ourselves think! It's not helped by the fact that as soon as we went to sit down I put my sunglasses down on the table and one of the little kids came to steal them off the table!! The top of the mountain is very cold at -4 degrees. Our ski jackets, hats and gloves have come in handy although Steph forgot her hat and gloves so is now walking round like a proper tourist in a hat and gloves emblazoned with the word - Canada! We've wandered ... read more

Geo: 52.8736, -118.083If 'scenic' makes you weak in the knees, than the roadtrip from Jasper to Banff (in Alberta) particularly through the Columbia Icefields is going to be your number one worldwide choice with all other options vying for a distant honourable mention. Unfortunately it's not quite the undiscovered secret that it was many years ago, so both Jasper and Banff can be both crowded and expensive in the summer and winter seasons. We were trying to sneak through just after the ski bums had gone home and just before the Campervan Armada started their invasion. Jasper was a little busier than normal at this time of year but that was largely due to a number Fort McMurray fire refugees hiding out here until things are safe enough for them to return. It's further north than ... read more

We arrived in Jasper today. We decided to do a bit of grocery shopping and catch up on some laundry. The first laundry we went to was closed for renovations -- seriously, at the height of the season, it was closed! There we were standing on the sidewalk with our blue laundry bags wondering, "Where do we go now?" David took out his cell phone and thankfully found another laundry a couple blocks away. It has been some time since I was in a coin-laundry, and they've definitely upgraded. It was like a swanky little coffee shop where you could wash your clothes and catch up on your email. And, it only took a little over an hour to get all our laundry done -- it takes me hours (sometimes days) at home -- I might ... read more