Day 6 Thur 22 May Sun Peaks to Jasper

Another perfect day! Rain has been forecast every day but the sun continues to shine on us. Morning tea was by the lake at Clearwater which lived up to its name. Very pretty peaceful spot. After a long drive through most of the morning we get to Blue River for lunch - a choice of buffalo burgers, local salmon or prime beef steak. Then, on to a River Safari in flat-bottom aluminium runabout dinghies that seat about 12 and have high powered motors for some hairy zipping about up the river, which leads go a large lake. All these waterways are fed from nearby meltng snow and glaciers.

Sighted a young bear in the forest at the edge of the lake as we cruised along looking for wildlife. An hour in the fresh air enjoying the beautiful scenery on Mud Lake - no more animal sightings though, and then back on the bus. 

We are now truly in the Rockies! There is plenty of snow on the peaks and they are as spectacular as the brochure says. Thank goodness for digital cameras, we all keep snapping away.  And just when you think you have enough pics of snow capped mountains,you go round a bend and there's another aspect to capture.

We stop off at the hospital to drop off a passenger with a painful recurrence of gout , then another stop for the traditional group photo. 

We don't arrive at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge and Resort, a sprawling cabin-based luxury resort beneath (the other) Whistler's Mountain, nestled around Lake  Beauvert  until 7pm. It is one of the few nights we have to organise our own evening meal. The resort is 5km from town and the last shuttle left hours ago so the only real option is one of the resot dining areas. They certainly know how to charge -  our shared meal of 1 soup, 1  serve of chips, 12 small chicken wings & 2 glasses of wine came to $65.

The resort is very spread out and deer, elk and oher smaller animals like squirrels and gophers roam the grounds. The staff use golf buggies to deliver bags to your room.

i'm struggling a bit with living out of a suitcase and the routine of  a group tour. Even though we stay in most places two nights we always seem to have to be at breakfast at 7am and on the bus by 8.15am - it's like being back at work! 

Tomorrow I get to sleep in -I dont have to report for my activity till 9.30 am. Poor Greg has to report at 8.20 . I chose a ride on a Harley Davidson because it sounds like fun; it doesn't involve getting on a bus and it only lasts an hour. I' m looking forward to some quiet time for myself and to sort out the suitcases which have got out of control.

Rafting on Blue River

A perfect spot for a glass of wine, ot two ... the Jasper Resort lounge

Humming birds at a feeder near Mt Robson