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Published: September 3rd 2013
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Jasper Way Inn
View from our room August 31, 2013 – North Vancouver to Clearwater, BC
Arrived in Clearwater at around 5pm this evening after a rather long drive (about 6 hours) from North Vancouver. The weather was good and the drive, beautiful, but it was longer than expected thanks to nightmare traffic around the Langley area. Probably partly due to the inevitable summer road works and partly it being Labour Day weekend and no doubt for a lot of people, a last chance getaway before school begins next week.
Gradually the traffic eased as we got further away from Greater Vancouver and the rest of the way was easy driving. Stopping very briefly in Merritt for a late lunch and then again briefly for food for a meal later we finally arrived at a beautiful spot.
We’re staying just the one night at the Jasper Way Inn on Dutch Lake. The accommodation is fine, nothing special, basically just a two story motel but its location is rather special. Included in our nightly rate is free use of a variety of watercraft and before long the boys are out in a pedalo and Steve and I are in a Canadian canoe. Matthew has had a
Dutch Lake
Abandon Ship!! quick swim and I’ve been in up to my waste. The temperature is surprisingly good (not exactly warm but edging that way). It’s a glorious, very warm evening on the lake and it’s rather nice to end the day like this after having spent most of it in a car. The alternative was a motel in somewhere non-descript like Kamloops so this is much better.
September 1, 2013 – Clearwater to Jasper (Patricia Lake)
Putting aside the paper thin walls (just quiet voices thankfully but why oh why can’t these places put in some sound-proofing?) Jasper Way Inn proved to be a rather nice place to stay.
I was woken early by the call of a sole loon and was grateful he had because the view of the early morning lake was glorious. The sky was once again a clear blue, reflecting onto the serene lake with a fine layer of early morning mist moving slowly and eerily across the still water.
The boys took to the water again in the rowing boat, taking along our small, pretty useless fishing line and a pile of dry bread. It was the only thing
we had but of course it didn’t work. Still, I’m not sure they really want to catch anything – they just like the idea.
Steve and I sat on our little balcony for a while, enjoying the warm sun while watching the boys and then, piling everything into the car (except my bloody sandals! Discovered too late into our onward journey to do anything about) we headed on towards Jasper.
It was another 3 ½ hours of driving today but it didn’t feel like it at all. We kept stopping, enjoying the scenery all the way and, best of all, got to see a wonderful, large and beautiful black bear as he crossed right in front of us on the main route near Blue River! We had to slow to let him cross so were plenty close enough for a couple of decent pics.
A couple of stops at some lakes and waterfalls where we managed to spot a Chinnock Salmon trying his best to leap up the rapids. He was a fair old size, which wasn’t surprising as apparently (according to an information board) to be this far up the river meant he had proved his
strength (and no doubt sheer willpower!)
We arrived in Jasper with time to grab our first box of timbits since arriving in Canada. (It has to be done and frankly I’m amazed we held out this long). And then onto our next stopover at Patricia Lake Bungalows just 5 minutes out on Pyramid Lake Road.
Unfortunately when booking this accommodation some time ago we had to make do with two different types of accommodation for the two nights we have here. So tonight it’s just a large room with two double beds and tomorrow night we have a little cottage. The room for tonight is fine (although wifi doesn’t look too reliable so when exactly I am able to add photos to this and post it is anyone’s guess).
The resort is on Patricia Lake and another beautiful lake it is too. The boys attempt a swim but only make it up to their waists. It’s not Pacific Ocean cold but it’s not Dutch Lake warm either. Perhaps tomorrow….
A little wander around Jasper later on and I feel things have moved on since we were last here over 20 years ago. The town is alive
Black Bear
near Clearwater, BC with tourists and I sense many of buildings and public areas have been revitalized over the years. It’s certainly a more vibrant and generally nicer place than I remember it.
Not able to cook tonight thanks to a lack of kitchen we go for a KFC family bucket. Oh dear. Major hike tomorrow me thinks…..
It’s a gorgeous evening and Matthew and I wander down to the lake again and take some pictures as the light fades leaving behind a pink hue that spreads out over the mountains, lake and the canoes all pushed up onto the beach. Beautiful.
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