A hearty breakfast in the diner next door (the Old Caboose) set us up for the morning exploring Wells Gray Provincial Park – sometimes referred to as the waterfall park.

I had been in '07 but it was definitely worth re-visiting despite the fact that we didn't see a bear this time.

Helmcken Falls are Canada's 4th highest at 141 metres and they are just as spectacular as I remembered.

Tearing ourselves away at lunchtime, we began the final leg of our journey to Jasper and the much anticipated family reunion 🙂

After traversing just under 400 kms we rolled into Jasper at about 5.30, having lost an hour crossing in to Alberta.

We rendezvous'd with Sam and Zoe (with some tears!) and then picked Scott up from work before checking in to the very scenic Alpine Village, our base for the next 6 nights.

An hilarious dinner followed – lubricated with some passable bubbles and a surprisingly good French rosé – before we retired to our cabin for a cup of tea and a (slightly crushed) Tim Tam.

Tomorrow…. Zoe's birthday 🙂

 

The weather gods were kind on Sunday, our one full day in Vancouver. After a late (entirely forgivable) start, we were off to organise some internet connectivity with Rogers. This turned out to be a lengthy exercise but eventually both iPads were online and we strolled down to the waterfront where many tourists and locals alike were enjoying the beautiful weather.

We found a great lunch spot overlooking the sea plane ‘airport’ and struck up a conversation with some very friendly locals at the end of out table. Rosey was keen to do a scenic flight (and I was prepared to fork out more than a hundred bucks if it saved me riding a bike around Stanley Park) so the friendly local got on her ‘cell’ and we were booked for 5pm!

It was absolutely worth every dollar – a great novelty taking off and landing on water and perfect conditions to include Vancouver and a quick foray into the nearby mountains.

After landing we couldn’t think of a better place to celebrate our flight and watch the city skyline light up so we went back to the same bar….

A local recommendation earlier in the day had been for “Nook,” an Italian eatery conveniently situated below our apartment so we ambled back and dutifully wrote our names on the growing list for a table on the blackboard out front.

We weren’t waiting long before being shown to the chefs table overlooking, you guessed it, the chef! An entertaining and delicious meal followed, we can highly recommend the gnocchi and the daily special pizza.

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Monday morning saw us on the bus to collect our rental car and eventually heading north, en route to Jasper. The drive was scenic and uneventful, petrol cheap ($CAD 1.25 L) and we arrived in Clearwater for our overnighter in time for Rosey to run 5ks around the oval. I enjoyed watching her 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a short and uneventful (except for the constant kicking in the back of my seat) flight from LAX to Vancouver, we finally touched down on Canadian soil.

By about 6.30pm we were checking in to the delightful Times Square Suites where we unloaded (and consequently had a slight blocked toilet drama, less said about that the better) before heading out to work through the priority list.

First and foremost, as always, was getting connected and having done my homework, we were heading for the closest open Rogers store for iPad Internet access. Alas, the system was down until tomorrow am and we had to console ourselves with Victoria's Secret, strategically placed across the road.

After a suitable period of time (and $$$) had elapsed, we had developed somewhat of an appetite and as luck would have it, we discovered the local “Earls.”

“Some 30 years ago, Leroy Earl Fuller and his son Stanley Earl Fuller had a simple idea: a laid-back burger & beer joint.”

Thirty years later it's still pretty damn good and the mojito of the day (pomegranate, mint and vanilla) went down a treat at the bar whilst we waited for a table.

Tonight was one of the two lobster nights they have annually so the choice was easy for me, Rosey settling for the scotch fillet.We congratulated ourselves on still being upright after 31 hours with another mojito and finally toddled home to blessedly comfortable beds close to 11pm.

Not a bad effort for Day 0 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Early this year when my darling daughter was about to depart for the Canadian Rockies for an unknown length of time, I decided that some of my hard earned wages should be put aside to visit her.

Given that Russell couldn't be spared from his highly important position (!) for any more holidays this year, it was time to find an alternative travelling companion.

Enter my good friend Rosey, who, once she heard it was the elk's rutting season, needed no further encouragement to join me and hence Red and Rusty has temporarily become Red and Rosey on tour…..

We are currently biding time in LAX before our final flight into Vancouver and I have it on good authority that the rutting has begun, so watch this space!