Monday June 16th- Day14

Jasper national park view
Road into Banff National Park
Water fall in Jasper national park.
Glacier in Jasper National park
Big Horn Sheep in Jasper nat park
Close up of Big horn sheep.
Mountain goat you can see its baby behind it.
Bears do shit in the woods!
I think this on is standing up and peeing in the woods.

Today was a very fulfilling and exiting day. I left my new Canadian friends in Olds Alberta Canada, very nice people, we had such a good time, I had a little head ache this morning. I did not really have a set itinerary, but I decided that ofter the fun time I had navigating through Calgary the day before, and on a Sunday to say the least, I would once again opt for the road less traveled, I thought I would make a short day of it.

I stopped in a little mining town called Nordegg, and the lady in the visitors center told me that I just had to go through, Banff and Jasper national Park. It was a little out of the way, and drove some extra miles, but was it worth the trip. It was one fantastic day. I would put these parks up against Yellow Stone and Glacier any day of the week. The scenery was out of this world. I saw more wildlife in one day then I had scene on the entire trip. The Canadians have a way of laying out their parks better than we do in the states. There did not seem to be nearly as much congestion, and it was much easier to navigate and get off the road when you wanted. Couple that with the Canadians driving habits and it was without a doubt the best day of my trip so far.

In the middle of the park was a town named Jasper, I thought I would stay there but it turned out to be a very upscale little town, much Like Aspen, I was really tired and did not figure I would get much enjoyment for the money. Outside of Jasper about 20 miles I found at little camp area, they had a covered table, and rather than putting up my tent, I just rolled out my sleeping bag on the table, there was know one else around. At least not of the 2-legged variety. I had eaten in town, and had no food with me at all, however apparently the bears know this area as easy pickings for left over tourist food. 3-different times I was awoken by bears prowling around, the second time, I opened my eyes and here was this bear face about 5 feet from mine. I turned my headlamp on and it scared him off. I finally took a Valium and said the hell with it. I woke up in the morning and there were a bunch of tracks around, but no problems, they were just looking for food. I am sure my snoring helped to keep them at bay!

I am looking to put on big miles tomorrow as I am shooting for Dawson Creek and the official start of the Alaskan Highway.

Tim