I headed out early this morning in the car to go get provisions in Jasper and see some sights along the way. The day turned out to be pretty close to perfect. I first stopped at Athabasca Falls which was a big tour bus picture photo op so the path to the falls and the overlooks were filled with old people and Asians with their cameras getting the obligatory shot before filing back onto the bus to head to the next stop. I wonder why they don't just buy a pack of postcards. Suddenly I spot this hippy picking up trash and cigarette butts and realize "hey, I know that hippy". It was Mark and he had stopped to pay his respects to his fathers ashes and police the area. We were happy to see each other and he led me off the trail to the secret places away from the tourists. It really is a beautiful place.
After leaving Mark I stopped at a campground that had showers and was greeted by this gal when I came out feeling clean and fresh. A little later I ran into Mike on a bike and we stopped and I made us coffee and breakfast which I had put off figuring I might run into him. I remembered he had told me how much he enjoyed good coffee and I just barely saw him pulling back onto the road so all the delays made the timing work out perfectly.
After stopping in Jasper for gas, socks underwear and groceries I was hanging in front of a Tim Horton's using their wifi to Skype with Kimberly and along comes Mike on a bike. He stopped and skyped his wife and then we shared a pizza and gelato. Something tells me I haven't seen the last of Mike on a bike.
Maligne Lake southeast of Jasper. Actually, I think this is hidden lake on the way to Maligne lake. I'm told the road there is always good for a bear sighting.
Hey little guys
Come say hello little buddy.
Gimme a kiss
These were triplets with their mother but I never got all three cubs in the frame together
I thinks someone spilled a coke on the road
On the way back to camp it started to get rainy and I was on the alternate icefield parkway road and all of a sudden I spot this monster in the bushes ripping and tearing through the vegetation. He was moving quickly snarling and eating as he went. I was about 8 feet away and snapped some good shots while he seemed to ignore me. I didn't think quickly enough to get some video but this guy was a brute and just devoured the brush as he went.
Another rainy end to another gorgeous day on the Icefield Parkway. God I love this place. I shall return.
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