Jasper

This morning, it was breakfast at the hotel and a walk into downtown Edmonton for a couple of supplies before setting off on a 4 hour drive to our next destination. Jasper national park, or at least the Overlander Mountain Lodge just east of the park gates, will be home for the next couple of nights.

Our first real view of the mountains, just west of the small town of Hinton

After check-in and finding our room at the lodge, it's time to check the place out.

View from our balcony.

Strolling around the lodge.

 A chat with one of the lodge's neighbours suggests we take a short drive to check out the Miette Hot Springs. The views along the Miette mountain road are spectacular.

A photo op along the Miette road.

A short hike leads us to the hottest natural spring in the Canadian Rockies 

Maybe not the best shot I've taken, but the sulphur smelling water emanating from these rocks is said to be 52 degrees celsius. All I can say for sure is I couldn't hold my hand in it for more than a couple of seconds.

The view as we hike back from the hot spring.

Penthouse Camping? I guess at least you are up off the damp ground.

Our dinner destination along the Miette road. Simple and tasty fare provided by the Greek owners.
From veal cutlets with gravy and mash, to moussaka with Greek salad.

After dinner, we decided to venture further down the highway toward the town of Jasper itself. Along the way, we are treated to seeing some of the local residents. 

These guys did not seem the least bit concerned about our very close proximity.  

Beautiful Elk

The smallish elk in the photo above, meandered lazily along the road until he encountered this huge fella (photo below), along the way. The big guy put on quite a display of bravado, already having head butted a Dodge Caravan that stopped too close, before audibly trumpeting his displeasure with the situation.

The ladies in our vehicle weren't too interested in sticking around to see how the scene unfolded and whether these two beauties were about to "lock horns", or simply stroll off together. All I can say is that as we drove off, there seemed to be a serious staring competition taking place between the two of them.

Huge and majestic

 More to come from Jasper tomorrow.