Jasper National Park

Kristine and Caleb made the trip to Edmonton from Lloydminster (approx 2.5 hours) where Caleb joined Riley & Bailey in the water park inside West Edmonton Mall for the day. Playing the dumb Aussie tourist, Bluey managed to get Caleb in for free as well (Gena was proud). As the boys ran from water slide to water slide, only resting to go into the wave pool every half hour, Kristine showed Bluey & Gena around the massive mall. What was to follow was great news for all 4 intrepid travellers. Krissy was taking Riley & Bailey back to Lloydminster for a few days, whilst Gena & Bluey were going to Jasper NP. I am not sure who was happier, but after living in each others pockets for nearly 2 months, it was to be a welcome time apart. Around 6.00pm, the boys were on there way, whilst Gena & Bluey stayed on in Edmonton for another night.

After a good nights sleep, Gena & Bluey set off on the 4 hour drive to Jasper. As they had borrowed camping gear off Kim & Rhonda, it was just a matter of finding a camp ground and setting up camp - or was it? Finding a camp ground was certainly not a problem, but the infestation of mosquitoes that Jasper was experiencing was another matter all together. To call this place the mosquito capital of the world would not be out of place at the moment. As we were setting up the tent, they were almost carrying Gena & Bluey away. Therefore, everything was done super fast and when finished it was a matter of locking yourself in the tent and start killing all of those that made their way in. From this point a plan was hatched. Part 1 - When going from the car to the tent, synchronize, get out of the car together, run to the tent, close it and kill all of the mosquitoes. Part 2 - Spend as little amount of time at camp as possible. Part 3 - When going to the shower block, take off at the same time and run hard. On return dive into the car until run into tent can be synchronised. Part 5 - Spend as little amount of time at camp as possible. Part 6 - When there is no chance of doing anything at camp, find a Pub and go for a drink.


Did I mention that Gena and Bluey spent 5 hours at the Whistle Stop Pub on that first evening, therefore if the mosquitoes were silly enough to bite them, they wouldn't be able to fly straight afterwards.

Day 2 started well, mosquities not as bad as the previous night (after it had rained all night long) and we set about doing the activities that our Slovakian bartender had suggested to us the night before. We headed up to Maligne Canyon, which made the whole trip to Jasper worthwhile. Photos will be added, but unfortunately the video that was taken cannot be added just to show the pure ferocity and power of the water travelling through the canyon.

The drive from Maligne Canyon took us up to Medicine Lake and then on to Maligne Canyon. The drive was spectacular and I will show you some of the wildlife as well as the amazing scenery along the way - almost postcard worthy.

 This Black Bear picture was taken from our car window

 These guys were holding up traffic 

Note how close this deer and her baby got to our tent.

 Gena in front of Medicine Lake

Spectacular

and again....

This is the middle of Summer?

Naturally, after a busy day of travelling and then returning to mosquito central, we had no choice but to shower up and head back to the Whistle Stop. 

Packing up the tent was a pleasure as well today. I swear I was getting lifted up and carried at times. Then there was the 6.5 hour drive back to pick the boys up and then return back to Baldwinton for a bit of a rest before our next adventure. I think we have a wedding to attend on Saturday night - I hope they are ready for Bluey's moves on the dance floor?

~Bluey