Where the wild things aren't

Wednesday

Our plans for the 2 days in Jasper were swapped about after we awoke to rain, fog and, at the higher altitudes, some snow. We were supposed to go on the  to the top of Sulfur Mountain but we would not have seen anything.

Instead we were driven around the back roads surrounding Banff, looking for wild animals. This is supposed to be a feature of visiting these parks, but so far we hadn't seens anything otehr than the 2 elk on our way in to Jasper and a few small animals like chipmonks and squirrels. Plus a bald eagle at Lake Maligne.

Unfortunately we weren't much more successful this time either. We saw 4 female elf and 3 mule deer, one a stag with small antlers.

We did travel to the dam on one of the rivers and then over the causeway to Two Jack Lake. I realised later that we had ben along "the pretty way" we took on our original journey to Lake Louise.

We then visited the falls on the bow river and the Cascade Gardens and finally were dropped off at the Banff Springs hotel which looks more like a castle than your average Hilton. We visited afew places and then I headed back to our hotel with one other. A group stayed most of the afternoon.

However I needed to use the hotel laundry and at last I have clean clothes again. Probably last till I get home.

The hotel is a real rabbit warren of a place. To go to the breakfast room or Laundry from the lobby requires you to first go up afllorthen to the end of the rooms before yoiu can go down again.

The sun came out late in the afternoon and we could see that a layer of snow was covering the mountain tops. Should be some great views tomorrow.

We ate at the Grizzly Restaurant, a fondue place.  There was an allowance of $100 per person but I don't think we used it. Their 4 course meal was $50 to $63 depending on the meat. I opted for beef and lobster but a number on our table had the exotioc option with shrk, crocodile, frog, snake, bison, kangaroo etc.

There was alo soup or salad for starters, a cheese and a vegetable fondue were shared and a fruit and chocolate fondue for dessert. Not dieting today either.

I went looking for an ATM, without success and it appears the otehrs may have stayed a while at the restaurant. At least, there was no sign of anybody in the designated party room at 11pm. I was tired anyway so just went to bed.