It's catch up time!  Over the course of the past week I've been to Jasper and back, shoveled 16cm of snow off the driveway, watched the birds and deer in their feeding frenzy, attempted to repair the bird feeders that have been damaged and tried to rest enough to get rid of the lingering laryngitis that I've been fighting.

The weather in Alberta can change in a matter of minutes.  The wind gusted and sections of the highway on the way to Jasper had snow blowing across.  In the town site of Jasper it was melting.  Water ran off the roof tops like a hose that had been turned on.  This created some treacherous areas in the hotel parking lot.

The first day there was the best for a visit to the skating oval at the Jasper Park Lodge.  The surface was smooth and the ice was thick and clear.  Snow covered peaks provided a relaxing landscape to observe.  It was a great way to enjoy some fresh air after spending 4 hours driving.

The temperature was well above zero.  It was cloudy most of the time but it was perfect to spend some time outside.  

On the morning of the 12th, Pyramid Lake was the destination of choice for some snowshoeing.  There were many people enjoying the mountain air in an assortment of ways; on skates, on fat bikes, on skis or snowshoes and on foot.  An hour was spent trudging through the snow on the lake surface and through the trees.  The smell of the evergreen sap was the best aromatherapy next to the smell of a campfire.

A tour of the Maligne Canyon was booked for the afternoon.  The tour company provided the ice spikes to participants so people could maneuver through the ice and snow on the canyon floor.  

I've been through the canyon previously but there is something different to see each time.  The ice never freezes in the same formations.  This time I found an ice sculpture created by Mother Nature in the shape of a forest elf.

There were a couple of tall 'frozen falls' that ice climbers were scaling.  The largest one was a beauty.  One could walk directly behind it and come out the other side.  Water trickled from the springs that found their way through the rock.

The guide taking the group through the canyon was in no hurry to return.  He took his time explaining things along the way and answered the many questions asked.  Participants in the group came from Australia and the United Kingdom.

Rain fell through the night of the 12th.  It felt like a summer rain storm.  It had stopped long enough on the morning of the 13th so more mountain air could be enjoyed.  The walk around Lake Annette was scenic and peaceful.  It was also very slippery where water covered the ice patches on the trail.  

The woodpeckers were busy searching for food.  A pileated woodpecker flew into a tree top and a black backed woodpecker was searching underneath the bark of a fallen spruce tree.

Rain began falling on the drive home.  The temperature was above zero for most of the time.  The wipers began freezing up close to home.  When I pulled into the garage, a layer of ice coated the vehicle and the doors were frozen shut.  I had to push a few times to break the ice seal so I could get out.

On Feb 14th, I woke to 16cm of snow on the driveway.  The rain had turned to snow overnight.  Big fluffy flakes covered everything.  It took quite a while to clear the snow; not because of how much there was but because I was enjoying it.

I was hoping to take in the Pigeon Lake Sled Dog Races during my time off but didn't make it out there.  I opted for rest to try and rid the last bit of laryngitis that has been hanging on.  This has been the best day in more than three weeks for not going hoarse.  I'm looking forward to having my voice back 100%.  I'm also looking forward to getting out on the trails with my skis this week.