Whistler's Inn Jasper

... tent alongside a clear, deep blue pond and had dinner at the campsite of a Miso based stew using my dried produce (mushrooms, onions, jalapenos and green peppers) plus extras just before another rain storm arrived -- the first of many. Took a neat picture the following morning once the rain cleared of Dragon Peak with its reflection in the clear pond. After a late start, we missed getting to Fortress Lake without our packs (but it kept our feet ...

... us seats facing each other, which was nice. The train crews have all been very friendly and helpful. Sleeping arrangements were debated, should I sleep in the luggage rack at the end of the carriage, or in the overhead rack? Ultimately I found a nice piece of floor and baggsed it for the night. The crew pass out pillows and blankets as the sun goes down so you can try to make yourself comfortable. I have had trouble trying to get comfortable enough to ...

... own bathroom...wouldn't that be nice? (smile) LOIS: gosh, it would Howard! thanks so much. We'll let you know.... PAUL: or you know what? You could get the train from Toronto up to Quebec...oh that's such a long way but my, it's beautiful, and then you could always...... HOWARD: you know what else we have at our house? LOIS: what's that Howard? HOWARD: pot! (smile) LOIS: Pot?? (I just thought pots, you know, that you cook with...why is he telling me he's got pots? Doesn't ...

... the hostel had mentioned a bear hanging around the lower trail near the hostel. We had read all that could be read on bear safety, I'm not wasting such an opportunity! We made noise, nevertheless our eyes wandering around all the time, especially when turning each new corner, the sound of falling leaves breaking the silence around us! We chatted as usual, Kell and I can chat for hours! We passed the level section near the middle tower of the cable ...

... even take a photo!! We werent sure where the trail went as you couldnt really see it ahead but we knew we werent far from the top. My legs were aching a lot but I tried to walk as quickly as possible. Its difficult when you are tired but you are aware that a bear is very close by!! We had seen how quick they move when we had seen the bears in the enclosure on Grouse mountain. We made it to the top where the tramway goes to and I was relieved!!! It had been a tough climb and we had ...

... left Medicine Lake and as we turned a corner, we were met by a group of Big Horn Sheep who were very curious and surprisingly tame (hence my good picture, for a change!) We reached Maligne Lake which was beautiful (again!) quiet and there were a lot of flowers and butterflies around which made us realise just how good the air was and lacking in pollution. We spent a happy half hour here walking and taking pics ...

... and see the horizon ... just goes to show that everyone has a different point of view; · To re-iterate an earlier comment Kevin made, it is great to reconnect with old friends ...we had a thoroughly enjoyable time with the Wickett family who we knew from our university days, as well as from our time living in Atlanta. Their spaghetti sauce recipe deserves special mention!...we have been eating quite well in the RV (perhaps even ...