Getting our excercise in Jasper - By Steph

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Well we got our exercise in hikes today. Our first stop was Mounth Edith Cavel. This was about an hour hike into the mountains. Midway there was a gorgeous bright aquamarine pond being fed by melting glaciers higher up the mountain. The terrain is all rock and mud, which looks pretty desolate except for around the streams where conifers, mosses and beautiful mountain flowers grow.

We had to let a papa and baby mountain goat across the road on our way to Athabasca Falls. Here we took a quick 20 minute walk along the falls and gorge. My mountain guide here says that this 23 meter waterfall has the most powerful flow to be found anywhere in the mountain park.

Next on the agenda was the Columbia Icefield area and Icefield Center. We by-passed the snobus (told you we were frugal travelers) after reading all the informative plaques in the Ice field center and waling up the Athabasca Glacier, but only in the designated areas… frugal and prudent!

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Last hike of the day found us looking at a spectacular view of pristine glacier lakes and mountains. PHEW! with all that mountain hiking, not only was my butt sore, but my stomach was empty. An hour later we found ourselves enjoying cocktails and supper at the rooftop restaurant in Banff.

Right now we’re drinking some tasty teas from Starbucks heading to our campsite in Calgary – Tomorrow = Stampede!

Animal viewings so far:

1 black bear
2 moose
Many elk or wapiti
2 papa, 1 momma, 1 baby and 1 baby pooping mountain goats (extra points for the poop)