September 14 Day 16

Yesterday was another day of God putting people into our path. We always have the choice. We don’t have to talk with strangers but Tom and I enjoy meeting people. They bring wonderful gifts.

We tried to rise early and ended up at the hotel for breakfast at 9:00 a.m. mostly because of a poor night’s sleep. I would not recommend the Athabaska Hotel in Jasper. The breakfast was fine, but the hotel itself left a great deal to be desired. Our tiny room would have been adequate if we could have opened the window. Although outside temperatures and hallway temperature was cool, our room was hot and stuffy. Without air conditioning we needed to open the door for any relief, which we don’t do when we’re sleeping in a hotel. We complained to the front desk at ten p.m. At midnight, the night manager called and offered to come up and get the window open. We didn’t want a stranger in our room after we’d gone to bed. So we declined his offer which was a mistake. We had also asked for a nightlight, since there was a six inch step down coming out of the bathroom. He wasn’t able to provide that either. All of this would have been endured without complaint even though the room rate was $187 plus tax, if I hadn’t wakened with several bug bites on my arms that are still red and itchy. My advice for anyone is to avoid that particular hotel.

Breakfast restored our good spirits and we set off on the Jaspar Banff highway ready for new adventures. Wow, God certainly gave us adventure. Snow-capped mountains enfolded us. The play of sunlight and shadow with the halo of clouds that encircled each peak kept me taking pictures around each curve. We were surrounded with shades of brilliant yellow against the deep green evergreens. We had a “fall tour”.

We stopped at Sunwapta Falls to see the naked power of water as it crashed through a narrow passageway in the rocks. Beautiful yes, and rugged, the fast moving river slipped over rocks and crashed down into a boiling white mass as it roared past us. The rock walls in their effort to encase its power had turned the strength of this river into a formidable and beautiful monster as it snaked it’s way through the rock.

Further along the highway, Tangle Falls rippled down a rock face offering the beauty that comes with freedom. As we neared the highest point of the trip, snow began to fall. We looked out at mountains of pine trees frosted with snow. We were glad we had brought our warm jackets and sweatshirts. The highlight of the day was the Columbia Ice fields. We stopped and became total tourists. Eating our crackers and cheese in the cafeteria we met a friendly couple from Warwick England. We talked and laughed as we ate. I shared my business card and told them about my books. They were on a bus tour and promised to check us out online as they left to catch their bus. Standing in line for the bus to the glacier, we struck up a conversation with Pam and Jim from Adelaide, Australia. Once again we enjoyed wonderful people.

Athabasca Glacier at Columbia Ice Fields

I walked on the Athabaska glacier at the Columbia Ice Fields, a once in a lifetime experience. Wow! And I felt God’s pain when I learned about how that glacier is receding.

After the ice fields and the snow, we were both tired. We continued to OOOH and AAAAH over the scenery as we travelled along that wonderful highway. About 4:30 we missed our turn for Lake Louise and found ourselves on the highway for Field. “Oh well,” Tom said, “there will be a place to stay in Field.” Of course I began to worry. About an hour later, we discovered staying in Field wasn’t an option. “It’s ok,” Tom said, “Golden isn’t far. There’s lots of hotels there. We’ll be fine.”

My response, “We’re stopping in Golden even if we have to  sleep in the car,( even though It was much too cold to sleep in the car).” Driving at night didn’t appeal to either of us.

We stopped at the Ramada Ltd. Hotel in Golden. For a reasonable price we rented a beautiful big room. We were safe and content. But the adventure didn’t end. We went for supper. Our table faced a booth with two seniors enjoying their supper. When they got up to leave, Tom’s chair was in the way. He, of course, stood up to make room and struck up a conversation. In the end, he gave both ladies my card. Fifteen minutes later my cell phone rang. The one lady, Betty, had gone home and checked out my website.”I’d like to buy your books,” she said. “Like it says on your card, I can choose to make my life good if I want to.” I arranged to meet her back at the hotel in an hour’s time. Betty and I had a great conversation and…she bought a copy of each one of my books (all six).

Our day still not finished, we pulled on our swimsuits and headed for the pool. Bev and Neil, Alberta farmers were in the hot tub. A great conversation ensued. Actually, our conversation had started at the hotel recommended restaurant, the Bear’s Den, two hours earlier. We returned to our room from the pool area at 10:45.

By the time I had sorted out the myriad of pictures I’d taken, midnight had come. Exhaustion meant my creative juices had fled. “No blog tonight, I said. I have to sleep.”

“God is good,” Tom and I said, as we crawled into bed. We are truly blessed.