Day 14

Once again we awoke to a cool, overcast day. We did have a few spots of rain but nothing that stopped our trekking.

As we did not have eating facilities it was a walk across the road to "Smittys". Here Vince had the 5 pancake stack while Margaret had the day's special, 3 stack with blueberries and cream.

Next on the agenda was to walk off breakfast, which was not a problem.

First stop Athabasca Falls. This was about 30 minutes walk visiting the upper and lower viewpoints of the falls. We did see three rubber rafts launch from the lower area to travel downstream through the rapids. The flow of water over the falls cutting through the rock is phenomenal. The whirlpools created as the water flows makes interesting features in the rock wall. The path to the lower viewpoint is through an area where the water had previously flowed.

Day hikes around Jasper are in different areas. We headed for the area known as Edith Cavell. Once again several choices of walks with views of Edith Cavell Glacier, mountains, valleys and lakes.

We chose the 7km Cavell Meadows Trail. Once again 50% uphill climb. On our way up we saw several marmots ducking in and out of the rock wall created by the glacier centuries ago. They are about the size of a cat and blend into the rock brilliantly. You really have to look closely to see them once they stop moving.

As we climbed we heard a thunderclap and saw a large piece of the toe of the glacier fall away into the lake below. We heard this twice more but were unable to see what section broke on these occasions.

On the way back down we came across a little creature called a Pika. This is the size of small guinea pig. A local, we spoke to on the track said they are also known as ground rabbits. One in particular was not perturbed by all the passing foot traffic and munched away on the moss beside the track. Occasionally breaking off a big piece and darting it back into what must have been its burrow in the rocks.

We then saw a chipmunk. Whilst trying to coax it for a close up photograph it decided it wanted to check out Vince. Slowly scampering closer to him it climbed onto his boot then stretched itself up along his trouser leg before turning around and scampering off.

It was now around 4.00pm and we headed back towards town and out the other side to Maligne (pronounced Maleen) Lake. On the outskirts of town were two elk grazing by the far side of the road. Like many others we pulled over to take some photos. As we were about to drive off we saw yet another elk, this one grazing about 10 metres from the road on our side.

The drive to Maligne Lake was pretty but the sun was not in the right spot for taking too many photos. Maligne Lake itself was lovely and we managed several photos, taken in the late afternoon light.

Heading back to town we took a few side roads in search of wildlife. We did see two deer but by the time we pulled over and got out the camera they had retreated into the brush.

Back to town and a beer for Vince and red wine for Margaret at the Ded Dog. As nothing appealed to us on the menu we headed off to Famosa, Neapolitan Pizzeria. (Mike our tour guide on Vancouver Island had recommended this pizza chain). Pizza for Vince and pasta for Margaret. (Margaret having made the better choice of meal). Whilst waiting for our meal we downloaded the day's photos onto the laptop.

Internet not working well so we did not get to post any Blog or pictures