Fall travels - part 4c (Jasper)

Following Banff and the Icefields Parkway, we settled in Jasper National Park for a few days. We took in the town and some nearby attractions, such as Maligne Canyon...

...and Beauvert Lake. The lake provides a beautiful setting for a lodge and golf course. A path leads around the lake and affords great views of the surrounding natural beauty. Sometimes you have to keep a sharp eye out though; I nearly passed right by an elk, a mere 10 feet away.

Not the least bit concerned by the presence of humans.

We didn't have many days this nice.

A tree hugging.

Once, on the way to town from the campsite, dad-in-law and I spotted a crowd of vehicles on a side road. We headed over to see what the deal was. Good thing too, as we were rewarded with an epic battle to the death!

Okay, not really. It was strange how careful these two were, as if they knew that if their antlers locked and got stuck they'd be in real trouble. As if they didn't want to hurt each other. As if they knew they needed to put on a good show for the tourists. So while it seemed halfhearted and not at all fast-paced, it made for some great shots. Thanks elkies!

A few days of Jasper, and it was time for Carrie, Lily and me to head to Edmonton to visit my brother Richard and his family. On the way, we stopped in at Miette Hot Springs. The hot springs consists of four pools of increasing temperature. They also, that day, consisted of a whole lot of very loud tourists. Not to single out a demographic, but can't certain people just tone it down a bit? Y'know, be considerate and all that?

On the way to Miette, we had to avoid a few sheep sharing the road with us. And at Miette, right in the parking lot, they just lounged about and made us treat them like an obstacle course.

What is that look on her face? She seems to be busy yanking out a wedgie.

Off to Edmonton! Or close -- Richard lives on 20 acres west of the city.