Jasper National Park | Whistlers Campground

Monday | 13 August 2001 | Jasper National Park: After the big party of last night and not getting to bed until 1:30 a.m. (hey, it was Lisa's fault, she is such a party-girl!) we really didn't want to get up and get Lisa to the airport by 6 a.m., but, of course, we did. When we arrived at the airport, we all groaned - the lines filled the departure area and snaked out the doors for 200 yards in front of the terminal! We were sure Lisa would never get on her flight! DT estimates there were 2,000 people at Edmonton International. We walked in and made our way to the Alaska/Horizon desk and there WAS NO LINE! Horizon has only one early morning flight out of Edmonton, and they use a small plane. Lisa checked in, filled-in her customs form and we said our goodbyes! I was already a blubbering mess, though well-contained, at the thought of not seeing her for weeks and weeks - but I can assure you all she had arrived safely home in Beaverton and will be departing for GW on the 19th. She is being protected tonight by Snickers, Beagle Extraordinaire.

And just a quick note from the local papers (given to us "free" by the parking lot attendant at the airport): 7 defections in total now, with the office remaining open for a few more days for stragglers/drug test failures. Edmonton is really patting itself on the back for their spectacular games and riveting closing ceremonies. We liked the games, we liked Edmonton - but they were not by far the best Worlds in the World.

Except for El Guerrouj.

We went back to the motorhome and began packing-up after an 11-night stay. We spent 11 days in Sacramento for the Olympic Trials last summer, so this was our 2nd long stay in one place. It was so early, actually too early to start up a diesel engine, so we politely waited until 8 a.m. before leaving Edmonton. We pulled-in the slide room, using the motor (that is now hanging from its frame). Finally, a new motor and motor housing is being shipped to our home-home. We headed straight west on Highway 16 and made it to Jasper National Park just a little after noon, making only one stop for a stale "always fresh" Tim Horton donut in Edson. Canadian Maple, of course.

Along the way, we saw a few deer (several of them actual still alive - not dead - on the side of the road), one osprey, a herd of bison (as cattle) and for some odd reason, a horse - untethered, walking aimlessly through the Alberta wilderness. After entering Jasper National Park, we were treated to a small herd of mountain sheep and a few elk... it is like Parks Canada places them at the entrance to lure in more visitors. We pulled into Whistlers Campground, secured our site, set up camp and were asleep by 2:00 p.m.!!! (Hey, we are old - we can't stay up until after one and get up at five and drive all day!) We had made plans to meet TC for dinner at 6:00, so at the predetermined time we found ourselves in a local pub having a cold one, with the shining Rockies looming above us. We three made our way down the street to a restaurant DT and I had frequented three years ago. For some odd reason, DT remembered the waitress from our past visit to the pizza place. She was French and blonde... maybe that is why??? We had a nice dinner and caught up with Tom. We left the restaurant under thundering and rainy skies! It was about 85 degrees in Jasper today - so you can imagine the Rocky Mountain Thunderstorm that could bring! Now back at Goldie, we plan to resume our rousing gin rummy tournament - abandoned during The World's. We are "dry" camping - no electricity, no water... no nuttin'... no worries.

Electricity? We don't need no stinking electricity.

Campground: Whistlers