Day 317. June 19, 2014. Wildlife in Jasper!

LOCATION:  Jasper National Park in western Alberta

WEATHER:  Beautiful. Sunny, highs in 70s

We hiked on one of the trails in the park.  The trail followed a series of emerald-colored lakes.  We encountered two bears while hiking.  This was the first time we've been up close to a bear without being safely escounced in the car.  It was a little scary, but they were more interested in eating grass than us.

Then we drove to a picnic spot along a roaring river.  George had a peanut butter/honey sandwich.  I kept a lookout for bears who might have picked up the scent of honey.  George climbed down the rocks to fill our water jugs with the fresh mountain water.  He looked like he was going to fall in, and be swept away.  

In the afternoon, we drove to another hot springs.  It was so nice to soak in the pools surrounded by trees and mountains.  A lot of Europeans were there.  On the road near the hot springs, we saw lots iof big-horned sheep, and this big moose nonchalantly chomping on grass, not bothered by cars and people.

On our way back to town, we stopped in the Jasper Fairmount Lodge.  Like the hotel at Lake Louise, it is very high-end.  We met a couple this AM staying there.  They said it is $600 per night, but they got a "deal" at $400.  We had a drink on the patio overlooking the lake.  Really luxurious feeling

This little guy dined next to us

Back at the campground, George built a fire in the picnic shelter and cooked some sausages.  These shelters are so nice.  We relaxed and had an appetizer of wild boar pate which George bought in an unsupervised moment when we were at the gourmet food shop in Lake Louise. 

As we were eating dinner inside the camper, this herd of elk wandered into our campsite.  They were about 2 feet away from our door.  Amazing!

DINNER:  Jambalaya with some of the grilled sausages.  I added the rest of the  bell pepper and onions to use them up.  Quite good!