Sunwapta Falls, Jasper National Park

A day that disappointed as well as a day of apprehension. We were looking forward to traveling south back along the Icefields Parkway but were thwarted by the weather. More rain and snow overnight caused us to wonder whether we'd be able to make the return trip as there are three passes, the final one, Bow Summit, was over 6000 feet.

We looked on the Alberta Roads website which informed us that our road, Highway 93, was clear most of the way with short sections where there may be ice or slush on the road. Fortified by this knowledge we set off for Lake Louise in the first instance, some 140 miles away then on to Banff. It was comforting to find ourselves in company with other RVs, on the road, in the stopping off points and coming in the opposite direction. And people on the roadside pointing cameras at something interesting. Causing a Bear Jam, not a traffic jam. There were many elk in the campsite this morning, we watched them from the safety of the vehicle.

There was a rawness to the weather and the environment, coniferous trees along the road were laden with snow, some of the deciduous trees, still in leaf, had bowed over with the weight of snow. The mountains, such as you could see, had their edges and ledges picked out with snow and their tops wreathed in clouds.

That was the disappointing aspect; not being able to get the grand views that we were looking forward to or the hikes we wanted to do. However, we did see some grand views on the way up and you have to remember that for some people this was their only day here.

Today's blip is of another waterfall, the Sunwapta Falls about 40 miles south of Jasper. They are a fine sight and made even elemental by the snowy surrounds. Lunch was at the Icefields Discovery Centre where, again, we had a meal with a view in the RV, looking up at the glacier and surrounding landscape. We could see a group of people steadily making their way up the ice as part of a guided walk. Today's extra of the bleak conditions at the Icefields Centre is in mono, but the colour image is no different.

Thankfully, the weather held for the remainder of the journey south, we came over Bow Summit safely and from there on it was all down hill to Lake Louise (for fuel) and Banff where we have three nights booked. We passed by Waterfowl Lakes where we had camped all those years ago (1982) on our epic trip across Canada and the US. We hoped to stop again at Peyto Lake to see the blueness, but the weather made the decision for us..

And it was a pleasant surprise to find that our site had full hookup - water, electric and waste which makes a change from the last two sites which have had power only meaning you had to be frugal with your fresh water and grey washing water. Quick showers and minimal water use had been the order of the day for the past 5 days, tonight, no issue.

Thank you all for your kind comments over the past week or so, I shall get back to responding and commenting as soon as possible.