Day 5 - July 14, 2010 10:30 PM

July 14, 2010
10:30 PM

Today was a day of travel down highway 93 by reputation, the prettiest highway in Canada.

We got up in Jasper and found that although cloudy, the rain had stopped and the cloud looked like it was going to lift. We decided to pack up early and hit the "Early Bird" tour for the Whistler's tram. If you arrived at the top before 10:30 AM breakfast is included with the price of your ticket. We got packed up and left the hotel by 9:00 AM. We caught the 9:45 tram and made it to the top.

The tram ride is 7 minutes long and each tram car holds 20 to 30 people. We couldn't see much until we passed through the lower level of clouds. The elevation from the top to the bottom is about 1,000metres.

We had a reasonable breakfast, except for D, who had extra hair under her pancake.

We then walked around the board walk and everyone but me climbed the snowy, slippery summit.

They encountered several of the Whistler marmots which are gopher looking animals for which the mountain is named.

We took the tram down and were on the road again by 12:00 noon.

Next we again drove up the Miette Lake road. A beautiful drive. We saw the following animals during the 2 hours it took u to drive up and down: 2 elk 3 black bears. Even though signs say don't approach or feed wildlife several people went right up to the elk and 1 child tried to feed 1 a peanut butter sandwich.

Next we stopped at Athabasca falls. An interpreter offered a feel of black and grizzly bear skin. The falls had carved it way into the rocks.

Back in the car and the next stop was a glacier. There were signs showing how far the glacier has shrunk since 1896. There was about a kilometer walk up to the glacier. The boys went further and found some pure blue ice which looked extremely clear.

Back in the car again and onward to Lake Louise. We encountered a baby and mother sheep on the road.

The scenery along the way lived up to the reputation of the highway. We arrived in Lake Louise around 6:45 PM.

We found our hotel Lake Louise Inn which is a high class ski lodge. We have a chalet looking apartment with kitchen, 2 bathrooms, loft bedrooms and enough beds for all. J has immediately said that we wants to come back for a week during the winter to stay here and snowboard.

After supper we hit the pool, and decided to do a few loads of laundry since the laundry was conveniently located. Band P went for a work out at the 24 hour gym facility, J drank a pot of coffee. S is reacting to the large amounts of chlorine he has been exposed to. We will have to get him some type of stuff for his skin.

Internet was having problems so I was unable to post today’s blog.

We are still deciding on the activities for tomorrow. The goal for tomorrow is Revelstoke BC.