Rocky 3 - Maligne Canyon/Maligne Lake.

Quote of the day - "I think we have just won the lottery".
We had just been amazed by Maligne Canyon - with its thundering, powerful water gushing through the narrowest of canyons..

Handy place to do your washing!

We had taken a hike along the river to view the five bridges.

Bridge 3

The much Maligned Canyon

Bridge 5 in the distance.

And we were on our way to see the picturesque, if somewhat frozen Maligne Lake

 No cruises on Lake Maligne yet, they might interfere with the ice fishing!

When we had the best view of the day......................

"A Black Bear and her three cubs" -  the Movie   (Some of us could bearly contain ourselves!)

"A Black Bear and her three cubs 2" -  the sequel, scary!.

And to finish off a great day - we had a delicious celebratory meal at the Olive Bistro and lounge and would you believe it - Jodie won $100 on a scatchie.

Just another one of those outstanding days in the Rockies.................

Jasper - the pot-belly bear. 

Rocky 3 - Jasper - Retail, River, Rove and Roast.

On reflection a wonderful view in the morning.

Always something to do in and around Jasper:
Shop till you drop.
Laugh while you raft..
Hike all you like.
More and more "smores".

Retail

Nothing sheepish about the shops in Jasper.

Rafting

Looks like the trees coming for a raft with us.

I thought you said you were paying?

At least we wont be up the creek without a paddle.

Roving

If we pose long enough we get a rest on our hike around Cottonwood slough

Our cabin by the lake.

Roasting

When making 'smores' - you have to watch the marshmallows very carefully.

Another classic Canadian delicacy "Smores".

Rocky 3 - Icefields Parkway and Columbia Icefield

http://www.icefieldsparkway.ca/ 

If highway 93 isn't one of the most spectacular drives in the world my name's Wayne Gretzky!
Every bend, crest and parking spot was jaw-droppingly awesome - pristine lakes , rugged rivers, spectacular mountains, ancient glaciers and the wildlife, don't get me started!
Although a picture can say a 1000 words our pictures really do not do justice to this stunning environment.

Which one shall we climb first?

Tangle falls.

A "sweep" of mountains.

Athabasca Falls

Columbia Icefield:

I was trying to get a picture of the ancient Athabasca Glacier and these two Ice Maidens popped up.

As usual everything in Canada is BIG - this was the bus we used to go just two kilometres to the glacier!

 Wildlife:

Our first Black Bear.

I just asked were Yogi was and she walked off!

This is what happens when you give your daughter the camera!!

A rather more dignified view.

Our first grizzly.

He chose to ignore my question about Winnie the Pooh.

Our first "Bear Jam" - worse than the Yellow Head through Edmonton - but a much better view.

And after a hard day sight seeing what better way to end the day than with an attempted swim in the beautiful, but appendage-shrinkingly ice cold Patricia lake followed by a Canadian BBQ.

Mum and Dad by the "seaside".

And this is how you grill bear steaks

And can you believe it, we only did half of the parkway!!!!
Gee, are we ever glad we are going back in July to look at the rest

Rocky 3 - Jasper here we come.

May Long Weekend - chance to catch up with the eagerly anticipated visit to Jasper.
Those in the know had suggested we would really enjoy this part of the world -  our first glimpse did not disappoint.

The top of the mountains matched my knuckles - especially with Jodie as a back seat driver!

Talk about Grizzly motorists

Once we arrived in Jasper we checked out the Jasper Tramway to get an overview of the area. The view from  the cable car and top of Whistlers Mountain was amazing. We were surrounded by an Alpine environment with views to the other peaks and valley below.

I'm glad we didn't have to walk.

Guess where this is going Dad?

Another cheesy photo!

Spraggs atop Whistlers Mountain  (2277 meters).

We finished off the day with a beverage or two and a wonderful walk around Pyramid Lake.

Product placement - I am  hoping for endorsement by Molsons.

 

Sunset over Pyramid Lake - with beauty spot!

Ladies of the Lake.

A Canadian cultural icon - the Cabin by the Lake.

Canadians have many icons; the Maple Leaf, the Mountie, Hockey, the Moose, the Rockies, the Beaver but one cultural icon which will live long in our memory is the "Cabin by the Lake". I cannot find an official number of lakes in Canada but there are reputedly 100 000 lakes in Manitoba alone. (Over 9% of Canada is covered by fresh water.). There may even be more lakes than Tim Horton outlets - although that has not been officially confirmed. 
Not every lake has accommodation on its shores, but many of the lakes we have encountered have dozens of cabins (or chalets, houses, trailers, shacks, huts, two storey mansions).
Hanneke and Jodie were fortunate enough to visit a cabin by a lake courtesy of our wonderfully friendly neighbours, Eugene and Elaine.

Chitek Lake is about 21/2 hours North East of Lloydminster.
The ladies successfully navigated their way to this delightful spot for an overnight adventure on the lake front.

Typical cabin by the lake activity - looking for pirates.

It was obvious, after just two short days  why so many Canadians love this form of relaxing and recreational escape.

And with so many lakes, types of accommodation and activities to chose from we could be visiting a cabin by the lake every day for the rest of our lives and still not leave Saskatchewan. 

Elaine and Jodie waiting for Excalibur.

The ladies patiently waiting for table service.

Tight rope walking squirrel has some incentive for success.

A week to be blown away.

When the wind blows........it blows. All week we have put up with more easterlies than Eva Longoria's hairdryer. But is hasn't been an entirely ill wind, it did blow our daughter, Jodie, over from the UK for her first visit to Canada.

Jodie has found a friend in Canada already.

And another awesome friend.

world's largest Elk paper weight.

"Dad, this is how you burn the snags"

Naturally we had to visit West Edmonton Mall and see the world's largest indoor amusement park, including the world's largest indoor tower ride. 

Look out above!

Look out below!

On Saturday Lois, a former Canadian exchangee, kindly organised a visit to a Hutterite colony in Warburg. We stopped off at Stony Plain to view the many murals around the town and visit the historic and very interesting Multicultural Heritage Centre.

Lunch at Stony Plain Multicultural Heritage Centre - home made soup, bread and pumpkin pie - yum oh!

Our kind Hutterite tour guides.

 We were blown away by the friendliness, generosity, devotion and work ethic of these devout Christians.
A huge thank you also to Lois, David, Carolyn and Francis for their wonderful hospitality.





Naturally any visit to Edmonton would not be complete without a visit to the special "Elk Island National Park" to watch the bison play soccer, another delicious home made lunch and a wildlife walk.

Canadian soccer team in training.

No Bears picnic.

Sasquatch must be here somewhere!

And finally Hanneke was blown away by the thoughtfulness of the Bishop Lloyd staff who generously sent her a get well basket full of goodies.

How am I going to eat all this with one arm?