Day 11: Happy Canada Day - the Grizzlies came out to play!

What3words: refuted.averaging.wings

We were up and out early this morning, we had a lot to cram in to our day.

Athabasca Falls were our first stop. The falls are only about 75 feet tall, but they are really powerful and you can get so close to them. (What3words: computer.life.marvel)

From there we went on to Maligne Lake, with a stop on the way to photograph a couple of grizzly bears who were happily grazing by the side of the road. Because we stopped, so did lots of other cars, and I am constantly amazed by the silliness of some people, calling out to each other 'oh look bears' - don't they know that a grizzly can run the length of a football pitch in less that 6 seconds? That would not have given them enough time to get back in their cars before becoming lunch....

The trip on to Maligne Lake was worth it, (what3words: super.wove.sucking)

We were mesmerised by a guy who loaded up his boat with everything he could possibly need for the day, including his german shepherd dog and off he went..... what a life!

but even prettier was Medicine Lake (what3words: opening.banker.rhythm)

You cannot really see on the pics, but all of the trees on the mountain on the right are all dead - burned in a fire, huge swathes of dead trees, very sad, but they will regrow new ones - we could already see some new growth.

We met this guy on the road back down

We also visited Maligne Canyon, (what3words: redesigned.talking.munched) the deepest canyon in the Rockies - you just cannot see from the pics, but it was REALLY deep. We only walked in as far as the second bridge ~ there are 6, it was pretty, but essentially a huge crevice carved out by the water

From there we made our way into Jasper for the Canada Day celebrations. We bought hot dogs and found a super spot right where the Parade would start. (what3words: almost.plan.architect)

We had a great view and the one thing I would say is that everyone was very happy. The number of times I heard people wishing each other 'Happy Canada Day', it was so wholesome. The highlight for me was that the Mounties marched at the start of the parade - led by retired Mounties in full uniform, followed by little kids in Mounties Uniforms and attached to fake horses - SO cute!

I also really liked the Dinosaurs - not sure what they had to do with Canada Day, but they had signs that said 'Canada, you are TRexelent'.

The Mayor also rode into town - literally, rode through on a horse. Not like a UK Mayor with a big chain and robes - just a cowboy hat and a sash!

After the parade and a mooch about Jasper - finding some really cool independent stores that played Country Music (Emily was in her element) we scooched up the mountain to visit Pyramid lake and Patricia Lake. Pyramid was busier and had its own beaches, but Patricia was prettier - sadly, trying to add pictures to this blog may just break the very weak wifi signal for the whole hotel!

We are going back down the Icefield Parkway tomorrow, our next stop is Golden.