Jasper to Sun Peaks

An early departure from Jasper meant leaving this calm scene at our overnight accommodation.

Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Along the way we passed Elk grazing by the side of the road.

Returning to British Columbia from the province of Alberta we stopped to view Mount Robson (and enjoy yet another comfort stop).

Mount Robson

Then on to River Safari on the Blue River in BC. This may well prove to be the highlight of the holiday.

The safari was undertaken on twelve seater speedboats which first took us up the river, then into a lake with this gorgeous setting;

Engines were stopped at this point replaced by a quieter motor that had us virtually gliding around the lake whilst we searched for wildlife; especially bears. We were all forced into silence lest any wild life take flight from undue noise. There was no guarantee that a bear would be sighted.

But we were lucky!

A bear appeared by the banks of the lake. It never stopped moving. Passing quickly through shadows and light in the forest the bear paused from time to time only to briefly chew on something tasty. The swiftness of its movement, the shadows and light through which it passed and the glare of the sun in our eyes made photography of the bear a hit and miss affair. This photo is probably the best of my crazed silent snapping and proof of our sighting.

A black bear

Our group in three speedboats heading up the river

The guides were excellent in their handling of the boats ensuring everyone had a fair chance of observing any sightings in their subsequent briefings about the bears and their lives.

I  recommend River Safari on the Blue River to anyone visiting this part of the world. It was a wonderful experience.

Tonight we are staying in Sun Peaks.

The small township of Sun Peaks as seen from my hotel room