Tonquin Inn Jasper

... arrived. Although unconfirmed, I would guess some wind gusts topped one-hundred-and-ten kilometres per hour; the tent barely survived -- but many trees around us where broken or ripped from the earth. The next morning, the sun was shining so we had a leisurely breakfast, took some pictures of the surrounding mountains then headed toward Athabasca Crossing for a two night stay. <br><br>Tree damage was evident everywhere along the trail; we pitched ...

... the station to buy my tickets. There was no queue at all so it was nice and quick. I even bought my ticket from Jasper to Vancouver. It was 60% off and is fully refundable and exchangeable. I wandered back to the hostel and relaxed until it was time to head back to the station to get on the train. I shared a taxi with Matt and Caitlin, it is a 20 minute walk so a taxi seemed a good idea. <br><br>As I was travelling with Matt and Caitlin the train crew ...

... Athabasca Glacier and got to walk on the ice. Reminded us of our driveways in winter. Near there, on Snow Dome, is one of only two triple divide points on earth , the other being in Siberia. Its waters flow into the Atlantic, Pacific and Artic Oceans. However, there is a controversy. If Hudson Bay is part of the Atlantic Ocean Snow Dome is the triple divide point. If ...

... each other for our attention!!! Where Paul was quite confident and outspoken, Howard was very soft and emotive. The conversation kind of went like this: PAUL (whiney, but strong West Coast accent): actually, if you want to get to Montreal from Toronto you could get the train...it runs every day...it costs this much.....the scenery is really stunning and... HOWARD (also very strong accent): you know, we have a double bedroom you can stay in and you'll have complete privacy with ...

2/10/08 - We got up early, we had planned to hike the 8100ft Whistlers Mountain located rite behind the hostel. We had breakfast and were out for 10ish, our bags prepared the night before, the trail head rite behind the hostel, we headed up the peak. Although 8100ft, its prominence is less than Ben Nevis, only some 1200m of ascent. We started climbing on a good trail through mixed woodland, full of birds and squirrels. We were nervous and jumpy, folk ...

... suddenly froze and went quiet whispering errr bear. I thought oh dear and shoved the oat bar into my mouth (best place for it was in my stomach!). I stood up expecting the bear to be a few metres of the mound a couldnt see over whilst sat down. Fortunately it was about 100m away. I was shocked at how big it was! The leaflets advise that you make loud noise so the bear knows you are there and so you dont startle it so I spoke loudly and we hurried on. We were too shocked and scared ...

... was feared by the Stoney Indians as it is fed by underwater springs and during the summer months the lake mysteriously drains away (as the springs from the glaciers dried up during the warmer weather) and the Indians could not understand why the Lake would refill itself during the winter months. Needless to say due to the warm weather the Lake looked pretty much like someone had pulled the plug out of it ...

... everyone, and of course a parade. Is it strange that the pooper scooper behind the horses got the most cheers? · I had a lovely chat with an "old-timer" at Canada Place in Banff. One of his stories that really stuck with me was the one about the Saskatoonite (Saskatooner?) who hated Banff because she felt so claustrophobic with all those mountains surrounding her. She needed to get back to the wide open prairies where she could wake ...