Jasper National Park

We're off to Jasper for 8 days on Saturday. The fires are still burning intensely in the Okanagan so it will be good to get away from the heat and smoke.

I really love Jasper. It is so much quieter and less developed than Banff. The trails in the park itself are also less travelled, which is good and bad. Great for solitude, a bit of a worry for bears and other critters. I have had a couple of run ins with bears and, of all things, mule deer in the past. I think I will try and hook up with local riders through the bike shops this time for any of the longer rides.

Jasper has a lot of history for me. Started going there in the early 60s, didn't visit for more than 10 years through the 80s and 90s. Now we try and go back most summers. It really hasn't changed that much. We like to stay at some cabins that were built in the 50s. When I first open my eyes in the morning and look at the log walls, the years melt away.

Then I get on my bike and the years catch up with me again! Thank god the E is a great support vehicle!