Day 4 - April 24 - FROM HELL TO HEAVEN ON THE WEATHER SCALE

It was a 500 kilometre drive today from Edmonton, Alberta to Valemount, BC but the change in the weather was phenomenal. We left in snow, sleet, ice, horrendous winds and likely minus 15 wind-chilled C degrees. Extreme caution was a must and we didn't have a lot of choice. Onward - things can only get better.

And, indeed it most certainly got better. Sunshine and a very pleasant temperature around 8C with very little wind. What a difference a day makes...didn't even take that, only about 200 kilometres did it.

Jasper National Park never disappoints. Two years ago we passed through just two months after the devastating wildfire. That was so sad and depressing so seeing the park today gave us hope and thanks that a recovery was under way.

Seeing the wildlife was the icing on the cake. I remember seeing a lone elk foraging for food in a burnt out forest two years ago and it almost brought me to tears. You never hear about the devastation to wildlife so this made me feel much better.

The elk were out in force today. If you're driving through the park or any of their other habitats be extra careful because they won't be. They cross the road when they want and a two ton vehicle doesn't seem to slow them down at all.

Just as the sensory overload of Alberta peaks you enter British Columbia and everything escalates - the sign says it all.

There are several waterfalls around Valemount but unfortunately a lot of them are closed right now. The falls aren't closed but the trails are so classically you can't get there from here. Rearguard Falls was an exception and we managed to battle a short, steep approach to the falls. Well worth the effort to be sure.

Valemount is a small village in east central BC but, as they say, good things come in small packages. As I stood in the middle of the road taking this photo, a patient woman waited to make her turn commenting, "we love it too". Made me feel like I was down east. Canada has the nicest people!

Sorry this posting is late - I guess it's actually early the next morning. I expect that will be the norm on a lot of this trip. That 3 hour time difference makes a big difference at the end of the day. Please stay with us...we've just begun!  

😎