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Published: September 20th 2006
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After leaving Whistler we did a short two night stop at Clearwater, in Wells Grey Park about half way up Highway 97 towards Jasper.
We stayed at a KOA campground and enjoyed our first cooked breakfast since leaving home : )
They also gave free internet access which is like gold dust as everywhere else, people seem to charge. It gave us the time to update our blogs and contact friends and family.
We didn't do any sight seeing here, which was a shame as the park has many trails, lakes and is famous for its waterfalls. The one thing that we would say about the place is the great hospitality we received from the staff, who were really friendly and helpful (told me where i could get my haircut!!)
So onto Jasper, we arrived mid afternoon and after quite a long drive we weren't mentally prepared for what awaited us at the tourist information centre. It was somewhat of a scrum with blue rinses everywhere fighting to use the free telephones to secure a bed for the night. Jo sent me in and after a couple of handoffs and a patient wait I called up our
Mount Robson
This was on the road to Jasper a landmark that lets you know you're entering the Rockies. Even covered in cloud its clearer than a road sign!! lead only to find the room had just gone. But as luck had it the women had a friend that could offer us a room and after speaking with a Mexican named John we were on our way to see what the room was like.
We (I) soon realised that our new Mexican friend was a pint sized Italian and even with Jo's giggle fits, he still rented (paying cash only of course, I think he was Sicilian) us a lovely double room in a homely basement conversion of his house.
After dumping our bags in our room we wrapped up warm (Jo wore her entire wardrobe) and headed into town for some dinner. After a couple of 'discussions" we opted for a romantic 'Smithies' special (I think we call it Wimpey!!) But it was budget friendly and with us rounding our meal off with syrup and icecream pancakes I think we did pretty well!!
The next day saw us awake to snow!! wicked, until you realize you have a clothes selection out of Miami Vice!! Anyway we layered up with shorts and T shirt's and our trusty Kagools (Check out the pictures of Joey!! "Michelin" Nuff
Patricia Avenue
Our home for a couple of nights said!!) and headed for Athabasca Falls.
Athabasca falls is the most powerfull flow to be found anywhere in the Rockies and hence carves through the rock quickly. It was pretty impressive and well worth the visit.
We then headed up to Mount Edith Cavell & Angel Glacier. The mount was named after an English nurse who had cared for numerous soldiers on both sides of the 1st World War and had also helped over 200 allies to escape. Unfortunately she was found out for this and promptly shot by firing squad. In her honour this place was named after her and I think she would have been pleased. We spent quite a bit of time here as the views were just unreal, I even got to lick an iceberg!!
Next up we set off for Maligne Lake & Canyon and by this time the snow was coming thick and fast. But that didn't deter our Jo, oh no!! quote unquote (after reading poor roads condition signs a few miles back) 'pussies!' as the vehicle infront did a U turn. How right they were to turn back as when we eventually got to the lake the view was
Jasper Town
View of ? mountain!! obscured by thick fog and it was freezing. After a quick snow ball fight (which I won!) it was back into the TRUCK (sorry, apparently I've been spelling that one wrong!!) and headed for the final stop of the day, Maligne Canyon.
The Canyon is somewhat of a mystery to geologists as no one knows how old it is or how it was formed (Water mate!). The Canyon is 50 metres deep and in winter it freezes so you can walk the length of the gorge. The canyon was great but was somewhat spoilt by the click of cameras from the coach loads of tourists which came soon after we arrived.
After suffering temperatures of minus 4 we were in need of some hot food and having noticed a sign for 2 for the price of one pasta dinners at the local italian we were like rats up a drainpipe through the frontdoor for bang on offer time, 5pm ; )
The waitress turned out to be the toll operator we had twice asked for directions going in different directions along the highway trying to find the attractions. She was pleased to see us yet again and
must of taken a shine to us as after dinner she gave us two tokens to the freak show down stairs! By freak show I mean the huge aray of stuffed animals they had in the basement. All shot by some numpty named Gay somethingorother in the space of a weekend back in the early 60's (the good old days!). Oh! nearly forgot, back at dinner sitting opposite us was this very old (that old that their white hair colour blends with their skin colour)Japanese/ Chinese gentleman who was dining alone. Jo felt sorry for him : ( But we were soon in stitches as he started to photograph everyone and everything in the restaruant, including his dinner!! and as he left he gestured a big OK with his hand, what a cool dude.
And that brought our stay in Jasper to a close and on reflextion we had seen some of the best natural scenery the Rockies had to offer, the sort of stuff we had hoped to find when planning this trip and what definately makes it worthwhile.
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Suzanne
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Jasper Wasper
Your shots of Jasper look fantastic. What a place! Absolutely p***ed myself reading about the freak show in the basement, so most of Yell have heard that story now! Look how you brighten lives many miles away with your stories! Oh and Benny, please don't bully Joey about her clothes or with snowballs! Take care. x x x