Day 11 - Friday, September 27

Today was a melancholic day, some happy, some sad...the weather was that way too. Sunrises in the mountains are hard to come by because by the time the sun comes above the mountain the colour is gone. However, just look around and you'll find it somewhere.

Leaving Hinton in the early morning sun was a pretty sight. Check that highway rush hour. I love it!

I'm glad we were given the opportunity to feel that way because arrival in Jasper was an arrow to the heart. The July 22 devastating wildfire did extensive damage to this Rocky Mountain resort town. There's still a bit of smoke in the air and even establishments that don't appeared damaged obviously are because they are still closed.

Heading south out of town hit even harder. The forests are gone. Extensive cleanup operations are still underway playing havoc with the traffic. We saw one lone elk grazing tentatively through the charred earth. The traffic dictated we could not stop so no photo of the wildlife but the forest is easy to see.

The weather went downhill fast. Fortunately we have done this drive in the past because today was not a good look at the scenery. I did what I could.

The Columbia Ice Fields were almost invisible, the rain being replaced by snow now. I could not believe how many people were there. We just took a look from the side of the road. $250 per couple for a 3 hour ice bus tour was not in the cards.

Just before we turned to head East at Saskatchewan River Crossing the weather cleared and it became evident we were going to be heading out of the mountains once more before the day was done.

We are in Rocky Mountain House for three nights. Just a hotel this time. Bye bye peace and quiet and solitude. Capped off the day in full sunshine and a glorious rainbow over a mountain lake.

The beat goes on...and we're loving it!   😎