Day 7 Jasper Park – Maligne Lake -- Jasper

Our morning excursion was a visit to Maligne Canyon. But before that happened, Steve and I were up before the sun and took and hour walk along the highway leading into the town of Jasper. The sound of the rushing river, the forest teaming with wild life, and a full moon over head made this a memorable experience. We were back in time to shower and eat breakfast (hey, guess what Debbie – they have oatmeal) before the bus left for Maligne Canyon. Along the way we again got great looks at elk feeding along the roadside. One young male with antlers must have been having a testosterone rush because he kept challenging two other males to a head butting contest. We stopped at two more lakes this morning, Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake.

By early afternoon we got off the bus in Jasper by the train station. We wondered d around until we found a nice restaurant where we had lunch and then just moseyed around this charming small town with as many souvenir shops as restaurants. The bus took us back to Jasper House where we rested up for the tough evening ahead. Instead of going back to the lodge restaurant, Steve suggested we get some take out food and picnic out in the beautiful woods right outside our cabins. That was a nice switch from restaurant dining. At 8 PM, our Caravan tour group gathered out on the grassy, park like center of the lodge grounds for a marshmallow roast. Roasting marshmallows and making somemores was fun but the best part turned out to be a complete surprise. One of our tour members was a brilliant musician who was on vacation from Israel. The owner of the lodge had an accordion that belonged to his wife who had passed away. He readily lent the accordion to Shlomo who played like the maestro he was and lead us in singing famous songs from all over the globe. What fun to sing our favorite songs while sitting around a blazing campfire with a full moon over head.


This guy is usually behind the camera and that is where he belongs.


Melinda along the Maligne Canyon Trail.


Two hot chicks.


Train station in Jasper


Melinda at Maligne Lake.


Canadian geese at Maligne Lake.


Stream leading to Maligne Canyon Falls.


Steve, Rick (tour guide), Margaret


Moutain view from Jasper


Marshmellow Party


Same as above.


Shlomo made this marshmellow roast very special with his musical talent.


This bear use to work as "Big Al" at Country Bear Jamboree in Disneyland. Since Disney decided to eliminate that attraction, he now works at Maligne Lake posing for pictures with tourists.