Awwwww!

Today was a sad day. It was to be our last day with Cam who had got himself a big money transfer to an app in Cyprus. He suggested a few places in the Jasper area to visit, and we decided to start with Maligne Canyon and Lake. First we needed some breakfast so we availed ourself of the hotels $12.95 buffet. One group of Indian guests decided to cut costs by having their own curry? Picnic outside on the patio. Good for them. There was also a bit of an altercation round the toast machine with some guests hogging it. I was having none of that and soon got mine browned. 

When we were ready Cam directed us to the road to Maligne Canyon. 'Lots of wildlife round here' he told us.  Not at this time Cam! The canyon was really deep, good waterfall, and relatively quiet at this time of the morning. 

We carried on to the lake, still no wildlife spotted. It was still pretty chilly so we decided against a boat trip and took a noisy walk (bears remember) to a spectacular viewpoint. 

I agreed to drive on the way back, leaving Ian as spotter and camera operator. 'There' he yelled on a quiet stretch of road. 'Bear, turn around'. I swung around and we pulled to a stop. Not only was it a mummy bear, but a tiny bear cub too! I wound the window down and Ian took loads of photos as they wandered down to the road. As they started to cross I wound up the window and set off sharpish. It was so exciting that I forgot to take a photo for the blog, but it did happen, honest. 

Cam took us back to Jasper, then out toward Miette hot springs. Although it was a highway the views were still spectacular of the mountains. 'Look out for wildlife' Cam insisted. We did, and saw Longhorn sheep, a mountain goat halfway up a cliff, and a coyote standing by the road. 

In the hot springs car park we spotted these fellas licking salt from under a bus. 

We had some lunch and an ice-cream, but the springs were heaving so we decided against a dip and set off back. 

We had a wander round Jasper and bought a few 'things'. That took all of five minutes. And, amazingly, the sun had arrived. Yay! So Ian sat on the balcony for a bit before we walked back into town for tea at a very pretty Italian. 

As we got back we had some guests on the lawn. 

Tomorrow we leave Cam to his new life and head off for Twin Peaks, or Sun City, or something like that. Five and a half hours drive west. All alone. We will be like pioneers. And we won't know a thing. 

Food watch

Ian - 7.5/10 chicken parmigiana. Enjoyed it. 

Jackie - 7/10. Spaghetti bolognaisse. Not bad, had better.