Day 36: Jasper, AB to Mc Bride, BC

Day 36: 6/3/15

This morning we got ready to head out a bit early but on the way to the dumpsters and bathrooms, we found our way obstructed by two mama elk and two babies slowly munching their way through the camp between the facilities and us. We watched for 20 minutes or so then a fifth elk showed up as well and after a few more minutes (including elk #5 cornering a camper in the restroom) then decided to put our trash in a different dumpster, broke camp and headed for the town of Jasper.

We walked around Jasper, BC for an hour looking at various shops and restaurants. We did find a daypack for Mary and some odds and ends for the RV.  As we were returning, we noticed that a long passenger train had just pulled into town and unloaded a zillion tourists – time for us to head west on 16.

We quickly dropped several thousand feet as we left the Canadian Rockies behind.  Shortly after we crossed into the Pacific Time Zone, we came upon a picnic area along Yellowhead Lake at the foot of Mt. Fitzwilliam.  The double tracked rail line from Jasper to Prince George ran along the opposite side of the lake and we saw 3 100+ car freights go by as we had our lunch.  Really busy line.

About 2:30 we arrived at the Bearview RV Park near McBride, BC. After securing a riverfront site for the night, we headed for town.  McBride is a friendly place with a pretty fair number of small businesses that mostly cater to ranchers in the Robeson valley.  We bought groceries and with a few people in the store.  The young meat cutter was especially enjoyable; he had never been out of the valley and was curious about everything we had seen on our trip.

Back at camp, we did two loads of laundry before settling down for a night along the river. Beautiful night in a beautiful campground.

Odometer: 81395 Miles Today: 110  Total Miles: 4195

Day: 35 Lake Louise, AB to Jasper, AB

Day: 35 6/2/15

 

Bow Lake

We broke camp and headed for the Icefields Parkway (Hwy. 93) to Jasper.  It was rainy and foggy but this just added to the eerie atmosphere around these mountains. Bow Lake, the source of the icy blue river that flows through Lake Louise Village appeared first in a day destined for spectacular sights. Ice still covered much of the surface.

 

Digging for grubs

A brown bear digging for grubs would alternately dig, root and stand but I couldn’t get a picture of him standing.

 

Another beautiful glacial lake

Still another beautiful lake appeared from the mist as we ambled along.  A good thing about the drizzling rain was the very light traffic that allowed us to set our own pace.

 

The Weeping Wall

The “Weeping Wall” is an interesting waterfall where the water emerges from the rocks in the face of the cliff instead of just pouring over the top.

 

Richard's beary close encounter

Pulling into a rest stop to photograph another waterfall, I stepped out of the RV only to be greeted by a black bear just 20 feet away – Mary assures me that I broke a speed record jumping back into the truck. 

 

Across from the bear

I shot a couple of pictures of the bear through the window before he ambled off and I got to approach the waterfall without thoughts of becoming a bear snack.

Columbia Glacier

The Columbia Glacier was our next stop (my only disappointment of the day) as it was large but not much to look at – sort of like a big sheet of pie crust rolled out.  Just goes to remind me to keep my expectations in check.

A couple of big horn sheep munching alongside the road just stood around as we watched them and our 5 mountain goats a few miles further along were the final big wildlife treats of the day before arriving at the Jasper campground about 3.

 

Fantastic 5

We setup camp, including the (mostly) mosquito proof screen tent, cooked some brats and settled in for the evening.  Another great day.

Odometer: 81285 Miles Today: 147 Total Miles: 4085

Day: 34 Lake Louise, AB – Lake Moraine

Day: 34 6/1/15

 

Lake Moraine

Today, we decided to go to Lake Moraine, similar to Lake Louise but hopefully, a little less crowded.  It is a bit further up the mountain via a narrower 2 lane highway that is closed in winter.  We arrived to smaller parking lots and fewer people – thanks to the smaller parking lots.  Lake Moraine is in many ways bore beautiful than Louise. 

The snow and Ice are much closer and the lake even had a few mini-icebergs floating on it.  The canoe/kayak concession was not open so the lake looked much more pristine and the water level was down a bit so we could walk the shoreline.

 

Lake Moraine Lodge

We considered lunch at the lodge but a big meal didn’t hold much appeal today so Mary suggested that we purchase some of the Salmon Pate’ and build a light gourmet lunch back at the campground. A quick trip to the grocery store for cream cheese and the liquor store for IPA for her and Amber Ale for him and a look through the pantry delivered: Cream cheese and Salmon Pate’ on toast with artichoke hearts.  Great lunch followed by a walk along the Bow River that adjoins our campground.

 

My Bear Friend

Another great day on the road comes to and end.

 

My best friend!

Odometer: 81138 Miles Today: 40 Total Miles: 3938

Day: 33 Baniff to Lake Louise, AB

Day: 33 5/31/15

We took the scenic 1A highway to Lake Louise Village this morning.  Two lanes winding and beautiful, it sure beat the Canada 1 interstate.  The campground at Lake Louise wasn’t taking advance reservations so we headed there first to secure a place to stay for the next two nights.  Leaving the campsite we found a post office (open on Sunday no less). We had not been able to send any cards since Yellowstone and were glad to get caught up.

 

Visitor Centre

Next up Lunch!  If you haven’t eaten at a restaurant in Canada lately, you will probably be shocked – a typical lunch for two will cost you $50-70 Canadian.  The postmistress told us about her favorite place in Lake Louise and the bookseller next door also named it so we decided to follow their advice and try Bill Petro’s Café in the village.  The food and service were excellent and the price was very reasonable. Give it a try if you are ever in Lake Louise.

 

Bow River in Lake Louise Village

After lunch, we drove up to Lake Louise (the lake).  It was absolutely stunning, the color was a pale milky blue.  (We discovered later that limestone dust from glacier activity is what gives it this color.)

 

Lake Louise Lodge

As with Miniwonka Lake in Banff, we found all the commercial venues and mobs of tourists to be a detriment to an otherwise spectacular place.  We were really surprised to see things this crowded 3 weeks before the “Season” officially begins.

Odometer: 81098 Miles Today: 30 Total Miles: 3898

Day: 32 Baniff – Johnson Lake

Day: 32 5/30/15

 

Johnson Lake

We got an early start 9:10 (for us it is early) and headed for nearby Lake Winniwonka but saw a sign pointing to Johnson Lake and decided to go see it too.

 

Friendly fellow

Johnson is a cold clear mountain lake with a 1.5 mile trail around it.  We hit the trail and seemingly at every turn, we encountered another beautiful view of mountains and lake – clicking on, I took some pictures of a woman fly fishing from a float tube.  She was the only fisherman on the lake and I was envious. (We met her in the parking lot later and she had caught a few brookies.)

 

She told us she got Saturday morning to fish

About 2/3 of the way around the lake were 2 red Adirondack chairs on a high hill above the lake – of course we had to sit awhile and contemplate the beauty around us.  It turns out the Canada Parks system is placing chairs like these on beautiful spots throughout the country.

After our walk, we continued to Winniwonka and while it was beautiful, it was overrun with people and lots of commercial boat rides, power boat rentals and just didn’t have anything like the wilderness flavor we had just experienced at Johnson Lake.

 

Even old people like to hold hands

Tonight, the weather was great and I broke out my griddle for the gas grill and whipped up a batch of my famous (to Mary at least) cranberry pancakes.  YUM!

 

Just like a mirror

Odometer: 81068 Miles Today: 22 Total Miles: 3868

Day 31 5/29/15 Canmore, AB to Banff, NP

Day 31 5/29/15

Elk in our campground in Banff

We had critters visiting the two adjoining campsites last night, they left stuff outside and it was scattered far and wide. Dumped tanks and did a thorough rinse out of the black tank as its sensor has been indicating at least half full for a week or so.  Now it is indicating empty.

We left our camp at about 9:30 and stopped at the store on the way out of town – needed a new stove lighter and a couple of other small items. Then off on the short run to Banff, NP and the Tunnel Mountain RV Park.  Surprise, it was nearly empty so we booked a spot and took the bus into the village.

Banff (the village) is styled on a Swiss Chalet meets trendy modern motif.  Lots of restaurants, bard, trendy clothing stores and a few brand outlets occupied the main street through town.  We were fortunate to find the Banff Brewery and decided to quaff a few local brews while sharing a Canada Burger (Alberta beef, cheddar and bacon) and a Buffalo Chicken sandwich along with shoestring fries served in a cone.  Waddling was in order afterwards.

We saw 7 Elk in the campground when returning from town about 4pm.  Mary crashed for a nap while I headed for the showers.

Odometer: 81046 Miles Today: 27 Total: 3846

Day 30 Black Diamond, AB to Canmore, AB

Day 30 5/28/15

Heading for Banff NP, Alberta

We left Black Diamond around 9:30 after finishing breakfast and headed for an RV dealer in Alberta – the fridge still will not work on Propane and we decided to try again to have someone look at it.  The RV dealer didn’t have the time to mess with us but did direct us to a smaller independent RV servicer a short distance away, they had an experienced Pleasure Way tech who was familiar with our model and its installation. He said it was only one of three relatively minor parts (recommended replacing all 3) but the fridge had to come out – a significant 3-4 hour job in this model.  He didn’t stock the parts (our unit is 13 years old) and it would take several days to get them. Sigh.

The view in Canmore

Back on the road to Canmore and our stop for the night.

View from our campground.

Odometer: 81028 Miles Today: 105 Total: 3819