There was frost on the lawn this morning and I pity the two ladies in the teepee hope they had the stove loaded with wood to keep them warm. We were snug as bugs in our lovely soft sinkable bed need earplugs for the freight trains you hear from across the Athabasca River (non stop and train can be a mile long like up the North West moving iron ore.

Up early to try and catch up with this blog plus seeing if there were any replies to my emails for Banff accommodation NONE starting to get desperate. As usual we had a hearty breakfast filled the flask with Carol's beautiful ground coffee. It's lovely talking to different people each morning and exchanging our thoughts and what we are doing travel wise. Young couple on motorbike down from Edmonton getting away from work for a few days.

Lunch is packed the sun is shining for a change and we are ready for the road. As usual had to stop at the bridge still looks as though nothing has been done. Getting used to the 70km drive to Jasper but with the lovely views who cares. Saw some Bighorn sheep this morning but didn't have time to stop.

Followed Carol's mud map for directions to Maligne Canyon crossed a lovely bridge and followed the road to the car park. Checked the diagram map of the canyon and decided to walk the trail to the 5th bridge. On the 1st bridge it is very frightening to lookover the bridge all the way down to the bottom of the canyon to the water. The interpretive trail is 3.7km (about an hours walk) with foot bridges over the canyon. You have to stay away from the edges as the canyon is narrow and very deep (50m). Could have chucked a few slow walkers over the edge. the mountain air was so lovely and fresh a good brisk walk got the heart rate up Walked right along the Maligne River to nearly the 5th bridge but we couldn't go further as the bridge was being repaired. The bad news is when you get to the 5th bridge you have to walk all the way back. We were following a Japanese family lovely people I praised the husband as he had a very expensive camera. I told him he must be a professional photographer he laught and said he was average. So when he took a photo he told me where the best shots were.

Thirsty work when we got back to the car we had a rest and morning tea (Carol's coffee).

Jill has been very good with her directions not much traffic this morning yesterday was bedlam the traffic was very heavy so many semi's, RV's big utes and cars. Next site to see on the list is Patricia Lake a 5/7km drive from Jasper. the lake has a 2-3 hour loop trail but we didn't both it looks just like all the other lakes we have seen even though it has WW11 historical significance with "Project Habbakuk" a plan to build an unsinkable aircraft carrier from an ice-based composite. Good lake for fishing and canoeing Terry and Diana would love Jasper.

Getting hungry now and Pyramid Lake is a short drive from Patricia (round the next bend)
Stopped at the Resort for a look then drove further on up the hill to have lunch and a little walk. Drove back to where the island is and crossed over the bridge the wind is dam cold goes right through you Lovely little island young lads were fishing off the bridge.

Time is marching on and we need to get petrol long drive back to Hinton which is past the Old Entrance B n B. Filled up the tank and drove a little further on to the Laundromat to do our washing. Sat in the car and finished our flash of coffee (hour and half for washing). On the way back we stopped to have a look in Walmart for cups and light rain coats but nothing at a reasonable price. Bought some more meat and a chocolate fix for Richard At SaveWay.

Still having problems finding accommodations in Banff Carol came to the rescue and found a B & B Lady MacDonald County Inn in Canmore just past Banff. No kitchen but they will let us use the microwave and BBQ. Carol is a gem went over and above being a host in helping us.

We had a good nights sleep knowing we had somewhere to stay for the next three days.