As promised, here are some pictures from our holiday. We were in Jasper, Alberta, the site of many a childhood vacation of mine. That’s because the national park is a mere five hour drive from Edmonton and my mother practically grew up here.
This is also the setting of books 2 and 3 in the series I’m writing. (I know: hopeless newbie just betrayed her idealism by believing she’ll ever publish a series of linked books. But you know what I say to that? Dream big or go home.)
Of course, in my books, the name of my town will have to change. There’s urgent need to move a pesky mountain or two, and a lake I have in mind for a crucial scene can no longer be glacially-derived. Yes, I admit this has everything to do with shrinkage. But I am not a miracle worker, people. Biology must be respected!
So any random reader who come to my books will not know the basis for my inspiration. But not you folks, no, not you. You’ll be hip to my jive. Doesn’t that just make you feel so…lucky? 😉
Anyway, I digress. Some pictures:
Sunwapta Falls
Isn’t this one just like a painting from the Group of Seven? Amazing. And all from my little iPhone.
Sunwapta Falls
Valley of the Five Lakes
Valley of the Five Lakes
Of course, it was only when we were already out in this rickety rowboat that I noticed the complete and utter absence of life-jackets. Then our beloved dog, who is normally terrified of the water, left my daughter on shore to swim out to the three of us. We couldn’t lift her into the boat, so she swam back and forth from shore to boat a few times. I was terrified that she’d fatigue and drown.
Between Maya’s misadventures and Miss Over- Responsibility’s presence – that would be mine – we headed back for shore in no time flat.
Tiny chipmunk at the Columbia Icefields
The Columbia Icefields, and odd local wildlife
At the Columbia Icefields – source of three river systems – we noted two important things:
1. How far we had to walk just to reach the toe of the glacier. Global warming is taking it’s toll, guys. Even four years ago when I did this walk it was a drastically different one. 🙁
2. The idiots adventurous tourists who feel compelled to slip on their ass and fall in a crevasse inspect the crevasses from well behind the safety ropes. Of course, Mrs. Over-Responsibility hoped they did had to watch them nervously, to ensure the five-year-old they had with them survived, which somewhat interfered with her enjoyment of the natural wonder.
But lest you believe that everything on my holiday had dark and gloomy undertones, let me share something special with you: the locals’ brilliant idea to combat the toll that road kill takes on the wildlife:
Moose-in-Training spotted in town
Lastly, when we were home and repacking, the cooler held an inch of ice water. Guess who didn’t read her memo about cats’ natural disdain for getting wet?
This is Pepper. She’d dip a paw in the water, lick it, dip, lick. The process went on for ten minutes.
So that’s it, guys; a little taste of a place I consider heaven on Earth. Oh, and if you read this far, that threesome in the foreground of the glacier picture is my family. Ain’t they purty?
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*sigh* I wish I could go up there again. My trip to Banff and the Icefields was one of my best EVER. Next time I go up there — and there WILL be a next time — we’ll have to get together. In the meantime, I’m just jealous of your vacation.
That’s right! You would have seen the Icefields too. Yes, you’ll have to come back and we’ll get an hour or two to visit this time. Sorry you’re so overwhelmed with work. Hope it’ll let up for you soon.
Hi Hope,
I have an award waiting for you over on my site, ready to be picked up. 🙂
Laura
Absolutely beautiful. Just looking at these pics dropped my shoulders into “relaxed.” And I’m glad everyone, even the idiot tourists, had a safe time.
I’m glad they survived, too, MJ, despite my griping.
Beautiful!! The two of “Valley of The Five Lakes” are stunning!! What latitude is Jasper? What is the climate? Such an interesting locale…no wonder it has inspired your bookwriting.
Hi, you! Are you going by Chloe now?
These are Jasper’s coordinates: Latitude (DMS): 52° 52′ 60 N; Longitude (DMS): 118° 4′ 60 W
It’s set in the Rocky Mountains, which form the westernmost border of my province. If you look at the “No Staycations” post, on the Flickr presentation, there’s actually a tiny map.