Kamloops

Well, we saw bears today, but we did cheat a little.  We went to the Kamloops Visitors Centre with the intention of getting some fishing gear to go fly fishing.  It was all a bit complicated with licenses and locations so we ditched that idea.  They suggested we go to the Kamloops Wildlife Centre where they take on injured and orphaned local wildlife and either fix them for release or if they can’t be repaired sufficiently, they keep them for study and showing.  Among their current stable are bears, moose, racoons, elk, mountain sheep and lots of birds; all of which are local animals.  A few photos for the children.

So…we got to see a couple of very active grizzly bears, some brown bears and lots in between.  Spent a couple of hours there trying to avoid the school groups (Pam had plenty of advice she held in on discipline...).

From there we decided to go and have a look at the Sun Peaks Ski Resort.  It is a huge resort with a little town centre, about 6 ski lifts and about 40 ski runs.  There has been a little snow fall at the tops of the mountains but the season doesn’t open for a couple of weeks.  The place was like a ghost town because it is between the summer and winter peak periods. 

Came back into the centre of town and walked along the river.  Kamloops is a town of about 90,000 as it is the junction of the North Thompson, South Thompson and Thompson Rivers so it was a big trading town in the 1800’s. Very neat, clean city park between the rivers and the city centre.  Wandered home about 5 and walked around the corner to the pub we had tea at last night for tea then home to get ready for a drive to Whistler tomorrow.

We have been a bit surprised about the size of the towns, with Calgary and Edmonton being large cities; Banff and Jasper had populations of 5,000 and 7,000.  We found, just because a city is well known, doesn’t mean it has any size.

View from the Wildlife Centre to the bare mountains, I'm sure they'd look better covered in snow, shame we won't see that.

Just a duck.

Their only animal in their 'Raptor' show, a 6 inch falcon.

Coyote looking at Pam as lunch.

The first Grizzlie, being chased by his brother.

Of course, an argument follows.

The wolf.

The brown bear, just a little more elusive.

A grumpy mountain goat.

Eagle with a sore wing.

Three wise horned owls, not sure they were so pleased to see me?

The slopes and one of the ski lifts at Sun peaks.

Mount Paul, overlooking Kamloops.

Pam, looking for a fishing spot on the beach at the junction of three rivers.

Carved rocks in River Park.

River Park looking towards the city centre.

To Kamloops

Long drive today to Kamloops, just over 400 kilometres.  Out of the unit and looked up to the Tramway Station we were at yesterday, all covered in snow, looked so different since our photo yesterday.  Some sense prevailed and we didn't go back up to have a look....much to Pams disappointment. The weather is cloudy and cold.

Before a sleep and after a sleep.

On the road, had a 20 minute wait while they cleared away a rockslide on the highway.  Made it to Mount Robson for a hot chocolate.   The mountain is the highest in the Rockies.  We couldn't quite see the top because of the low cloud.  Went for a short drive to Robson River but didn’t venture on the three hour walk to the lake.  Back to the visitors centre and found a female white tailed deer with twins following closely.  Pam of course started with the….it’s a doe, a deer, a female deer……she thought I’d sing along….I moved away without her noticing…no harm done.  Back on the road before anyone recognised us.
One of the goals of Canada was to see a bear.  We got to Blue River and there was a 'Bear Safari'.  We decided to give it a go.  The Australian girl at the counter told us they'd seen bears all morning, no problems mate!
The safari was in a small boat, very small, very fast and very cold.  We were all given life jackets and ponchos to keep the wind and rain out.  Not sure why they bothered...a couple of light showers while we were out and the wind blew everything everywhere.  Didn't get wet because the rain wasn't heavy enough but the raindrops on our face made little dents as they hit the skin and formed icicles.
Saw a couple of bald eagles, one was very active and swooped on the lake to collect a trout then fly up and tear it apart for lunch.  No bear, no moose…looks like the Vancouver zoo will get a visit?  Great trip though with such cold, fresh air and exhilarating ride on the boat along rivers and lakes, great fun.  Beached the boat at one stage to check out a waterfall.
Long drive then to Kamloops, straight to the motel, found a pub around the corner for tea, home and bed.

From our footpath.

Bit of a close up.

Mount Robson Visitors Centre with the mountain (the lower part anyway) in the background.

Couldn't decide which one to delete.

So I kept not one, not two, but............

Three, sorry, it really did look good.

Robson River witha bit of a mountain behind.

White tailed deer doe with her twins.

They were soon spooked and took off, you may wonder how we identified them so quickly?

Our launch pad at Blue River.

Having lunch in the cafe.  These timber tables are all cut from one local tree and are about 20 metres long.

Ready for a bear safari.

VERNON!!!! I'm not joking...does my bum look big in this???

Quiet back there, I'm on a bear safari.

I think the wind blew my hair off?

Cute photo at the falls.

Bald eagle looking for lunch.

Jasper

Woke to another freezing day in Jasper.  We drove out to Patricia Lake this morning.  She is very beautiful, just a bit frosty at the moment.  On the way we came across a herd of elk, led by a bull and a junior bull.  We got good photos of the smaller bull but the bigger one was a bit more elusive.  Arrived at Patricia Lake and the wind, although only fairly gentle, just about froze our toes off.  Continued on to Pyramid Lake, walked across the Pyramid Bridge to Pyramid Island which is all overlooked by Pyramid Mountain.  Maybe the early explorers only had one page left in their 'Place Names' dictionary.
We were so cold out there we decided to come back into town and get the laundry done and warm up with a cup of coffee.  Finished that about midday and the weather had taken a turn for the better so we made a run for the Jasper Tramway, which goes up from the base to almost the summit of Whistler Mountain.  It was 1 degree at the bottom and minus 3 at the top.  After a bit of pushing and shoving I managed to get Pam into the Tramcar.  
I have come to the conclusion, Pam is really a thrill seeker at heart but she needs to blame me for something and by me forcing her into daredevil stunts she is able to load me up with guilt without any conscience at all.  Lucky I have broad shoulders and am able to carry this burden.
In any event, we made it to the top, got out of the Tramcar (looks like it was built for 5 and they cram 20 into it) and the cold wind and blustering snow met us as soon as we walked from the shelter.
We had to turn our backs a lot of the time and could feel and hear the snow hitting our backs.
Took lots of photos, due to the wind and the shivering cold most are a little blurred.  We decided not to walk to the summit, a 1 kilometre walk, because we didn't bring any survival gear.  Stayed up there about half an hour before we saw some sense and made it back down with no hiccups.
A nice warm 3 degrees at the bottom and we soaked up the sun.
Back into town about 3.30 for a late lunch with a well earned beer and wine.  Bit of shopping and got home about 5.30 for a quiet beer and very small tea.

The small bull elk.

The boss bull elk.

Got to be good.

Just a little cold this morning.

Autumn colours and mountain views.

Across Pyramid Bridge.

Have a seat on Pyramid Island.

Just about freeze with Pyramid Mountain behind.

Back to the mainland.

Tramway built for five?

Goes a LONG way up the mountain.

Can't get much colder.

Living dangerously at the top of the world.

Happy with a safety fence, wish it could stop the wind.

Just rocks and snow.

And nuts standing in the weather.

Heading back in for shelter.

Looking back at the summit.

Very barren, nothing could grow in this climate.

Looking back down at civilisation, Jasper, with the Athabasca River winding its' way past.

Maybe the sun will come out?

Nope, one last photo....please!!!

OK, I'm coming in.

Then back down we go.

To safety.

Looking up at the top of the Tramway from Jasper town centre.

Pam said I had to get a photo.