2nd Post June 17 to 19

Post 2

 

June 17, Baniff

 

Woke up at 5:30 to elk in the campground. Molly dog woke us up! A baby one with spots was eating charcoal out of the fire pit. Mom was grazing. A few minutes later, 3 more ran up to eat!

Went down town and went to the first Canadian national park—Cave & Basin Hot Springs. Went into a small cave to see the hot springs. And toured the historical building.  That evening we left after dinner and drove the Bow Valley parkway hoping to see animals. Saw only one elk at the end of the parkway.

 June 18, Baniff

 Tried to go to Johnson Canyon waterfalls, could not even find a place to park. Scratched that idea and went to Cranmore to visitors center and used their wi fi and then toured the country side there. Only saw one long horned sheep along the road. No other wildlife!

 June 19, Baniff to Jasper, Alberta

 Got up early and left at 7 am to try and see wildlife. But it was raining hard and nothing around until finally we found three goats along the highway. Great Iceparkway visitor center with video and view of o

ne glacier. Really has shrunk sense Jerry & I were there about 20 years ago! Great waterfall at a turnout along the way. Now camped at Whistlers Campground near Jasper.

Went into town to get propane and gasoline after parking, and had a piece of pie in town. Gasoline was the usual 116.9 ($1.169) per litter, about $4.50/gallon, but propane was $2 per liter! Cost Jerry $48 for his large 7 gallon container.  Pie was $15 for two pieces, and 1 cup of tea!

 But back at the campground Evan & Lilly spotted 3 elk. So cool.

June 20^th

 

Spent the day around Jasper. Took 93A up to a Glacier and saw snow cascading off the Glacier.  Stoped at some beautiful falls. Then the Lutes went to find hot springs and Jerry and I went to find a boat ride. All boat tours were booked up and there was construction going to the hot springs. Did see wonderful canyon and a moma bear and two cubs.

 

 

June 21th, Jasper to Grande Praire

 

Drive was rainy and not that exiting. Did stay at a campground at a Trumpter Swan presere, but no swans. Did see these guys crossing the highway at Hinton just out of Jasper.

 

June 22^nd, Grande Praire to Dawson Creek

 

Stopped at a really new and nice Dinasour facility just outside Grande Praire at Wemberly, Alberta. Then proceeded to the city park & campground at Ponce Coupe  (about 8 miles out of Dawson Creek). It was closed, and as we looked back at it as we crossed the bridge , you could see lots of damage done by the river. Last week this area got 1 meter ( 39 inches) of rainfall in one day! The road from Prince George to Dawson Creek still has a closure on it.

 

 Arrived at Dawson Creek at noon, and got  a camping spot at the Mile O campground. 

We then took Mile O photos (beginning of ALCAN Hwy) and toured museums. Watched a hour long movie at the Alaska Highway House about the Alaska Highway (ALCAN). Very interesting..

So I washed my hair and did the dinner dishes. As I was washing the last one up the pump quit. Don’t know what’s up with that, so Jerry will check it out in the morning. May need a new pump.

 

June 23^rd,  Dawson Creek to Buckinghorse Creek wayside provinsional park

 

Got right over to an RV store, after Jerry verified the switch on the pump was bad. Expensive pump, over $200 by the time taxes were added. Drove out to see the Bison Ranch, only saw two bison. Then back to the campground and Jerry put the new pump in. And off we were again, for our first leg of the Alaska Highway. Day pretty uneventful, rained off and on. Had lunch at an A & W in Fort Saint John. Cost $25 for Jerry and I for lunch!

When we finally got to camp, it looked like better weather so Larry got out the barbeque. That started a huge downpour of rain again!