Sept 25 Jasper in Alberta (Day 364)
Our last full day on the train started with a dark, cloudy, rainy morning as we approached Jasper, Alberta, deep in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. At around 8am we spotted our first good view of wildlife, doe elk on a hillside.
We weren’t scheduled to stop in Jasper, the center of Jasper National Park, due to the devastating wildfire that raged around and ultimately through the town from July 22 until it was finally declared under control on September 7! But we stopped and had a chance to stretch our legs outside, but very few took the opportunity!
The train station and about 3/4 of the town survived the fire intact, but the passenger train service had been suspended through September.
Further down the track we witnessed some of the devastation, with trees burned right up to the tracks, and lots of fencing and blue tarps in the background where the fire destroyed part of the town.
A contemplative moment for a passenger as we continued through the grandeur of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Our last fantastic look at a tremendous waterfall on the North Thompson River as we descend the west slopes of the Canadian Rockies. We were feeling a little under the weather, which looked pretty cold and damp anyway, so we requested dinner in our cabin. The train crew obliged and soon set up a table, white tablecloth and all, and soon brought our scrumptious meal to us. I ordered the lamb and Robert ordered the salmon. It was so good I forgot to take pictures!