Day 2 and 3

This elk (not sure????) was hanging out in our campground with her baby.  They were beary friendly and were happy just to chomp away at the grass.  The rangers tried to get the elk back to a more natural area using hockey sticks with streamers attached to scare away the elk.  It kind of worked but we often saw her in the campground.

 
My roommates woke us up early today to take us to a place called Maligne Lake.  The drive to Maligne Lake was beary pretty in fact some of my animal friends were on the road.

This guy was happily walking along the road.  Not scared of cars at all.

You have to look hard to see the Pine Marten but he is there.

The hike was beary scenic.  The clouds were out and we got rained on many times but when you could see the mountains they were amazing.  The lake had a nice blue-turquoise color in it.   

Mountains on Bald Mountain trail - Maligne Lake

Malgine Lake

Maligne Canyon

Of course Maligne Lake flows into the Maligne Canyon (our next stop coincidentally).  A Belgium missionary had trouble trying to cross the river in the 1800s and named it Maligne River, which apparently means wicked in French.  Ben, have you learned this in your French lessons yet?

 My roommates treated us to the good life.  We were allowed to visit the Fairmont Jasper Lake Lodge.  It was beary relaxing, a fox could get used to this lifestyle.  Of course the cheapest room was $499.00 a night so I think it's a little out of my price range.

Fairmont Jasper, Front Entrance

Off to the Ice fields.  We had to leave all the nice animals in Jasper and start heading down to Lac Louise.  The drive was amazing (of course it would have been even better if I could have driven).  So many mountains to the left and right.  We did the touristy thing and took the ice fields bus and it was on Canada day.  Everyone was beary patriotic and had lots of Canadian flags, pins, and t-shirts.  I asked the tour guide if I could drive the ice bus….no luck…perhaps if I had a Canadian T-shirt on she would have let me.   Anyway, we tasted water right off the ice and enjoyed cooling down on the ice.

 

Next stop was Wilcox Pass.  It was a nice hike and get this.  Halfway up there were chairs for people to relax on.  We met some aggressive goats (I hid in the backpack with Monkey) but eventually they let us through on the trail.  It was worth the encounter with the goats, the view was amazing (one of the best on the trip).  Remember all that rain in Jasper, well apparently it helped clear the sky.  It was worth it for the views.

Canadian Rockies....here we come!!!!!!!

It’s Summer, Yipee.  We are off on a trip to the Canadian Rockies.  No we aren’t going to visit Sandy….sadly he lives too far out of our way.  Day 1: We (i.e. my roommates) packed up the car and started driving.  Who would have guessed it rained on the first two days, but it did luckily Monkey and I have an adventourous spirit. 

 If you have never been to Canada before it's worth visiting, right Sandy?  It's a big country and the provinces are beary big.  Still driving (day two).  I kept my eyes open for the Canadian Geese that land near our house in November but I haven't seen any of them...I wonder where they are?

We made it!  This is Jasper, Alberta.  Jerry and Ben there are trains traveling through all the time....you two would love it here.  Here I am in front of the school in Jasper, I was hoping the Canadian flag would be easier to see.  Where is Monkey you say?  He's taking the picture of course...my roommates went off to look at souveniers. 

 I hope my roommates are getting me some Maple syrup (to share of course).  This picture is what I was hoping for in regard to the flag.  Canada has a beary pretty flag, it has a big Maple Leaf on it. 

Since we have been driving and exploring Jasper, I think it’s time to get an accommodation for the night.  Monkey and I prefer first class.  I am starting to worry, whenever I ask my roommates what Fairmont Hotel (beary nice and expensive places to stay in Canada, eh) they always change the subject to the weather or what Ben might be cooking at the moment. 

Oh uh, this doesn’t look good.  I think this is our accommodation for the night.  I had a frank discussion with my roommates and they said this was going to be our accommodations for the entire trip (7 days).  I hope it’s waterproof I muttered under my breath…..

Day two: Time for Breakfast and a hike.  My roommates wanted to try this Canadian Food, Tim Hortons.  We don't have it in my part of the USA.  Monkey and I split a strawberry muffin for breakfast....almonst makes up for the tent last night....almo

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