Summer Travel Map

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Jasper to Hinton - Leaving the Parks

June 9, 2009
Hinton, AB

Today was like a whole different season - sunny and warm. What snow? A distant memory...

We didn't put on too many miles today, making the short (<60 miles) trip from Jasper to Hinton, picking up TC-16 right in Jasper. We planned it that way so we could stop at Miette Hot Springs, which is "just off" the TC-16. In this case, "just off" meant about 10 miles of narrow, winding road, averaging 15-20 MPH in the coaches. It was well worth it, though, as Rod, Jean, Marlene, and Geri enjoyed a soak in the pools fed from the hottest natural springs in Canada. Since we're not "water people", Bob and I puttered around with various tasks around the coaches. Later, we walked the .6km round trip on the 200m trail (we still don't understand the math) to the source, checking out a group of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep ewes on the way. As we drove back to TC-16, we saw another trio of bears (I'm really trying to avoid saying "the three bears") crossing the road; as the cubs scampered into the brush, Momma gave us the evil eye until I blew the horn, then she followed.

Once back on the TC-16, it was a short drive to Hinton, where we staked out nice spots at the Wal-Mart/Safeway among the 15 other RVs parked there for the night. We whipped up a batch of sautéed hot dogs and potatoes with onions and peppers - a quick and one-skillet meal. Even though it was still light out at 11:00 PM, we called it an "early night".

Click here for more pictures.

No comments: