We finished off our time in Jasper with a full day of fun. The first part was a ride on the Jasper Sky tram which is a gondola ride up to Whistlers Peak. From the station at the top of the gondola ride there was a further 30 minute walk (longer with 3 children) up to the peak. This was well worth it with the most amazing views along three valleys and amazing mountain ranges arrayed in all directions. It reminded us of how small we really are when faced with the immensity of the terrain.
www.jasperskytram.com/
We descended more quickly and returned down to Jasper. After lunch we headed to Lake Annette for a swim - glacial blue-green water and bright sunshine of course! Returning to Jasper we found a place for tea before joining the throngs at the Jasper Rodeo!
This takes place indoors in the multifunction Jasper Activity Hall. I had no real sense of what to expect, but when the events started we were all gripped! The speed and skill with which horses were ridden was astonishing. The bravery (or foolishness) of the riders was amazing. The precision of Lassoing and tying up the calves and young cattle was extraordinary and the sheer guts of the bull-riders was both alarming and astounding. It set us up for the journey to our current location on a small ranch near Rimbey in Alberta.
This last night in Jasper was lovely. The night sky was dark, so the stars were clear and sharp. As Nicola and I looked up we saw a shooting star and we were sitting out at 11pm in t-shirts next to a blazing fire. Deep, happy sigh.
We then travelled the 5 hours to Rimbey. Eva Ibbotsen accompanied us with her 'Beasts of Clawston Castle' and we listened to all but the last few minutes of the story en route. When we arrived we were welcomed in the most hospitable fashion by both Clinton and Brenda. This couple have built up a haven of peace and tranquility over ten years, The Longhorn cattle they raise are delightful and gentle natured beasts with one almost like a pet to Clinton. The land is very much like Wales or other rural parts of the UK and I feel very much at home and at peace here.
We have so far been well fed, visited a local lake for swimming, tried to ride, but the horse spooked and instead we were treated to a demonstration of horse training and trust-development that was beautiful. Brenda has a gift for this work and seeing her in action with her 'rescue horses' (all of which have come from a difficult background of either abuse or accident) was a real treat. I'm not a 'horsey person' but I recognise the skill and patience demonstrated.
We head off tomorrow for Drumheller and the dinosaurs!
If you want to build a longhorn herd then here is the website! www.canadiantexaslonghorn.com
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