Before leaving the Saskatchewan River Crossing lookout, I figured out how to get that sun roof open. (There were so many gadgets in that car!) I plugged in the driving tunes and off I went.
What a great way to spend a few hours; driving through the Rockies. I
marveled at the snow remaining on the mountain peaks. I'm a winter
person so just wanted to roll around in it.
Most of the traffic stopped at the Columbia Icefields so for the most part, the highway was mine. The scenery was amazing. I looked up through the sun roof in time to catch a glimpse of the Weeping Wall so pulled over for a closer look. I love the number of pull outs along the highway so one can stop to stretch your legs and enjoy the mountain peaks and valleys below.
The only wildlife before arriving at Jasper was a herd of mountain sheep. The traffic in front of me came to a grinding halt at a curve just before the Icefields. I couldn't see the reason for the stoppage until 15-20 sheep came running around the curve in the middle of the highway. When they reached the line of vehicles, the herd split and they ran past on each side of the car.
I got to Jasper where the convoys of RVs were arriving for the long weekend. Each of the campgrounds along the parkway had posted signs telling campers that the sites were full.
Just east of the Jasper town site, traffic was stopped again. This time it looked like an accident from where I was. I saw a bright yellow safety vest so immediately thought the RCMP were there. People were milling around and vehicles were pulled over.
Well, no accident at that time but there sure was the potential for one from the traffic as well as the fact that all the people were rushing to get photos of a huge bull elk. The safety vest was worn by a motorcyclist.
The elk was situated in the ditch. I couldn't see the top of his body but was able to see the enormous antlers that he was sporting. I could not believe that people were standing at the top of the ditch within 4 feet of that animal. What were they thinking?
The drive home was uneventful. The mountain range gave way to fields of ripening grain and yellow canola.
I arrived home at 3:30pm anticipating a hailed out garden due to a big storm that came through but everything was intact. It was great to get away for a mountain fix. The weather cooperated and the car that I rented was perfect for the long drive. That being said, there's no place like home.
Most of the traffic stopped at the Columbia Icefields so for the most part, the highway was mine. The scenery was amazing. I looked up through the sun roof in time to catch a glimpse of the Weeping Wall so pulled over for a closer look. I love the number of pull outs along the highway so one can stop to stretch your legs and enjoy the mountain peaks and valleys below.
The only wildlife before arriving at Jasper was a herd of mountain sheep. The traffic in front of me came to a grinding halt at a curve just before the Icefields. I couldn't see the reason for the stoppage until 15-20 sheep came running around the curve in the middle of the highway. When they reached the line of vehicles, the herd split and they ran past on each side of the car.
I got to Jasper where the convoys of RVs were arriving for the long weekend. Each of the campgrounds along the parkway had posted signs telling campers that the sites were full.
Just east of the Jasper town site, traffic was stopped again. This time it looked like an accident from where I was. I saw a bright yellow safety vest so immediately thought the RCMP were there. People were milling around and vehicles were pulled over.
Well, no accident at that time but there sure was the potential for one from the traffic as well as the fact that all the people were rushing to get photos of a huge bull elk. The safety vest was worn by a motorcyclist.
The elk was situated in the ditch. I couldn't see the top of his body but was able to see the enormous antlers that he was sporting. I could not believe that people were standing at the top of the ditch within 4 feet of that animal. What were they thinking?
The drive home was uneventful. The mountain range gave way to fields of ripening grain and yellow canola.
I arrived home at 3:30pm anticipating a hailed out garden due to a big storm that came through but everything was intact. It was great to get away for a mountain fix. The weather cooperated and the car that I rented was perfect for the long drive. That being said, there's no place like home.
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