A Black Bear Having a Bad Hair Day in Banff National Park

These photos are of a black bear casually nibbling on plants along the roadside in Banff National Park.

I was very lucky to spot this character on the Bow Valley Parkway near Banff townsite.

You may think black bears are all tough and scary (and you might be right).  But this one was relaxed and almost amusing with all sorts of leaves in its hair from traipsing through the woods.

This Banff National Park black bear was focused on one thing:  eating plants.  The bear didn’t give much attention to the tourists in their cars taking pictures.

Still, I stayed a safe distance away – for my safety and for the bear’s.  A tame bear must to be retrained, relocated or worse.

Black Bear in Banff National Park

“Seen one tourist with a camera, seen them all,” he seems to be saying to himself.

Black Bear in Banff National Park

Black Bear in Banff National Park

Black Bear in Banff National Park

Black Bear in Banff National Park

August 27th, 2010 | Category: Banff National Park, Photo of the Day, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Jasper Pizza Place Restaurant Review

I had a chance to eat at Jasper Pizza Place in Jasper National Park 2 times during my last visit to the park.

So, alas, it is time to do a review of Jasper Pizza Place.

Review summary:  If you are looking for a casual meal in Jasper National Park or have a hankering for a good pizza, Jasper Pizza Place is a convenient restaurant with lots of choices to meet the needs of everyone.

Jasper Pizza is located at 402 Connaught Drive, the main road through Jasper townsite in the middle of Jasper National Park. It was a short walk from our hotel in Jasper National Park townsite.

Exterior of Jasper Pizza restaurant in Jasper National Park

Exterior of Jasper Pizza in Jasper National Park

Jasper Pizza, Jasper National Park

Inside Jasper Pizza during an off-peak time, Jasper National Park

It is a clean looking facility with enough menu choices to keep just about anyone happy.  Of course, Jasper Pizza Place offers pizzas with typical pizza toppings: cheese, pepperoni, ham, onions, bacon, mushrooms, bar-b-q chicken, vegetarian, and more.

We had pizza during both visits to the restaurant.

Below is a picture of the Jasper Pizza Place Special we ordered - minus a slice because someone couldn’t wait for me to take a picture.  The Jasper Pizza Place Special has ham, pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, peppers and pineapple.

Jasper Pizza Place review

Eating the Jasper Pizza Place Special at Jasper Pizza Place

Now here’s the close-up picture of the Jasper Pizza Place Special that will make you salivate (I am salivating right now). Continue reading Jasper Pizza Place Restaurant Review

August 16th, 2010 | Category: Dining | 2 comments

The Whistlers Mountain in the Clouds

These 2 photos are part of a series of photos I took on a cloudy day while atop The Whistlers Mountain near the Jasper Tramway upper terminal.

At one point, as I hiked up towards the summit, I looked down and the Jasper Tramway upper terminal was covered with clouds.

While the view of the surrounding Canadian Rockies was mostly blocked, being amongst the clouds is a unique experience.

Jasper Tramway upper terminal in the clouds

Looking down on the Jasper Tramway upper terminal on a cloudy day

The clouds were drifting along the top of the mountain and right over me.  It was so cloudy that we couldn’t see the summit.

“The Whistlers” mountain is named for the nickname of hoary marmots. Marmots are nicknamed “whistlers” because they make a whistling sound.

Near the top of "The Whistlers" Mountain in Jasper National Park

Near the top of "The Whistlers" Mountain in Jasper National Park

Marmots can sometimes be seen up here in the top of the mountain amongst the rocks.  I didn’t see any this time.  It had been snowing earlier that day so maybe the marmots were taking the day off.

August 15th, 2010 | Category: Jasper Tramway Experience, Photo of the Day | Leave a comment

Afternoon Tea: A Perfect Jasper National Park Rainy Day Activity

Rain happens.

If the forecast for tomorrow is for lots of rain, now is the time to make a reservation for afternoon tea at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

The Jasper Park Lodge is one of the landmarks of Jasper National Park from the early days. And the afternoon tea is one of the most memorable meals you’ll have – a perfect way to keep the rain from dampening your spirits.

The “afternoon tea” is a lot more than just gourmet tea.  It also includes tea sandwiches and even more dessert.

Afternoon Tea Dessert at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Afternoon Tea Dessert at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

The afternoon tea is served between 2pm and 4 pm.  Reservations are required at least an hour in advance but if you know it is going to rain, make a reservation as far ahead as possible.

Call the concierge at (780) 852-3301 or toll-free (866) 540-4454 to make a reservation for afternoon tea.

I recently wrote a full review of having afternoon tea at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge if you want to learn more.

August 10th, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: Activities, Dining | Leave a comment

Elk along Bow Valley Parkway in Banff National Park – Photo of the Day

Today’s photo is of an impressive pair of elk in Banff National Park.

These 2 elk fellows were walking along the Bow Valley Parkway 1A, a less traveled road that parallels Highway 1 from Banff townsite to Lake Louise Village.

Elk and other animals often use the road to get from place to place.  They’ve learned it can be an easy way to get to their vacation destinations too.

Elk in Banff National Park along Bow Valley Parkway 1A

Elk in Banff National Park along Bow Valley Parkway 1A

Just avoid getting too close to the elk. They may look harmless but can be dangerous, especially during rutting season.

July 30th, 2010 | Category: Banff National Park, Photo of the Day, Wildlife | Leave a comment

Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Review

Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge is a real treat.

This was my first time doing afternoon tea.  I’m now a fan.

The gourmet tea, the wide variety of tastes and textures of the food, the one-of-a-kind setting – it all makes for a enjoyable and memorable experience.  You won’t find troops of tourists here either, so I’d have to argue it is off-the-beaten-path too.

At the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge the tradition of afternoon tea starts with tea, then a tray of small sandwich foods and then a dessert tray.  All of it is prepared with the utmost attention to detail.

Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Continue reading Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Review

July 26th, 2010 | Tags: , | Category: Activities, Dining | Leave a comment

Bighorn Sheep Ewe in Jasper National Park – Photo of the Day

A bighorn sheep ewe and her lamb (child) feeding along Highway 16 (Yellowhead Highway) in Jasper National Park. In the background is Jasper Lake, which runs parallel to Highway 16.

I was lucky to spot these 2 in the afternoon while on the way to Miette Hot Springs.

Bighorn sheep seem to like this area of the park. Keep a lookout.

Bighorn Sheep in Jasper National Park

Bighorn Sheep in Jasper National Park

July 23rd, 2010 | Category: Photo of the Day | Leave a comment

On the Lookout for Animal Jams

It takes a keen eye and a little luck to spot the wildlife in Jasper National Park and the Canadian Rockies.

The good news is that fellow travelers are looking too.  And when they see something…

SCREEEEEEETCHHH!!!!

“Stop the car, bighorn sheep!”

The result is an “animal jam”: lots of cars stopped in the middle of the road because wildlife is nearby.

An animal jam is your cue to slow down and look.  Maybe you’ll see something good, like a bighorn sheep, elk or black bear.  Just keep your distance and give the wildlife some space to do their thing.

An animal jam on highway 16 in Jasper

I pulled over for an animal jam on Highway 16 in Jasper National Park

The pictured animal jam on Highway 16/Yellowhead Highway was a good one.  The reward was being lucky enough to see this gang of bighorn sheep hanging out on the side of the mountain.

Animal jams can happen in the least expected places (including curvy roads), so be careful driving.

July 21st, 2010 | Category: Activities, Photography, Wildlife | 2 comments

Pyramid Mountain – Photo of the Day

Today’s Photo of the Day is one of Pyramid Mountain on a cloudy day in Jasper National Park.

From far away, the mountain looks a little like a pyramid.  That’s how it got its name.

It is a short 5-minute drive from Jasper townsite to Pyramid Lake which has plenty of good vantage points to see the mountain.

It is worth the drive if you have the time.

Pyramid Mountain, Lake and Island

In this picture, the group of trees on the left is actually an island. A short pedestrian bridge gives access to it. The island has a few picnic tables and lots of viewpoints for enjoying the scenery.

If you like the picture, click to view larger to save as a desktop wallpaper.

July 20th, 2010 | Tags: | Category: Photo of the Day | One comment

My Full Review of the Chateau Jasper Hotel in Jasper National Park

As part of my recent trip to the Canadian Rockies, I spent 5 nights at the Chateau Jasper, amongst the hotels in Jasper National Park I am pleased to recommend based on my experiences.  This is my really long review of the hotel.

The 3-story, 119 room Chateau Jasper hotel is conveniently located in Jasper townsite, the small town in the center of the big national park.

Review of Chateau Jasper’s Room Quality

We stayed in a 2 queen bed room.  The beds were comfortable, though after a day of hiking in Jasper, I could sleep on anything!  I slept well every night.

The room had a home feel to it which I liked.  The furniture wasn’t sterile or cold like some hotels, as you can see from the pictures. Continue reading My Full Review of the Chateau Jasper Hotel in Jasper National Park

July 19th, 2010 | Category: Accommodations | Leave a comment
 
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