Day 13: Back to the Mountains + Wild Animals + Lake No. 5 | AB-BC Trip 2023 Series

Jasper, AB • August 11

Another day in another town. Ang saya ko na napapalibutan nanaman ako ng bundok. For two days, we’re going to explore Jasper and hands down, Alberta na talaga ang paborito kong province. Albertans are so blessed to have easy access to these beautiful mountains and lakes and all things nature.

Before going to our first stop, may free breakfast sa hotel so that’s good. One less thing to worry about.

This big and wide mountain reminded me of Game of Thrones’ ‘The Wall’

Kahit mag-drive lang kami dito sa area na ‘to solb na ko. The mountain views are just breathtaking.

Keep off the grass

📍 Jasper SkyTram + Whistlers Mountain

Our 4th and last gondola ride. Similar dun sa skyride, malaki din sya at pang-maramihan. Di ko maalala kung ito ba yun, pero basta merong ride na akala namin bababa na kami kasi nasa pinakamataas na kami na point, tapos yun pala may isa pang mas mataas na bundok sa likod so hindi pa pala tapos. Basta ang fun nun and I think dito yun.

Pagbaba namin ng skytram, sobrang ganda ng view. Grabe nanaman ang pagpapasikat ni mama nature. Di mo na kelangan magpasikat, bilib na bilib na ko sayo. Ang saya ko na ilang beses kong naramdaman yung ganitong overwhelming feeling in a span of just 2 weeks. Ang nourishing nya sa soul. Ini-imagine ko pa lang ngayon, nare-relax na ko. I can’t wait to go back.

Walang masyadong vegetation dito sa taas. Kasi sa sobrang taas nya, mahirap tumubo ang mga halaman. Kaya kabilin-bilinan nung skytram operator kanina, wag kaming tatapak sa kahit anong type of halaman. Kahit gano pa kaliit. Kasi yung maliit na yun, it took time para tumubo. Kaya careful kami na wag makatapak.

Hindi namin na-reach yung pinakatuktok kasi pagod na kami. At ang lamig din pala. Malamig nung araw na ‘to at since nasa mataas nga kaming lugar, mas malamig pa. Tapos pag biglang humangin, mas lalamig pa. Na-enjoy naman namin yung view at nagsasayaw pa kami ni Kat dun sa may edge ng bundok.

Kimchi-jjigae

📍 Jasper Town

We went to the city proper to grab lunch. Since malayo yung parking namin sa kakainan namin, nakapag lakad-lakad kami at na-explore namin ng konti yung town nila.

🍽️ Kimchi House Restaurant

Dito kami kumain. Okay naman. Overall rating is 3.75 🌟

Saw some wildlife!

Nakakita kami ng wildlife! First we saw an elk, munching on grass by the side of the road.

And then we saw more bears! And this is the cutest because it’s a mama bear with her two cubs. All the cars were slowing down to take a look. The mama bear is leading the way, stopping to eat some buffalo berries, I’m guessing. Her two cubs are trailing behind her, and for a few moments they were curiously looking over at us. Huhu ang cute.

The past few days, lagi naming na-o-overhear na pwede kaming makakita ng bears dito, at hindi ko in-expect na makakakita nga kami. This trip is really one for the books!

📍 Maligne Lake + Spirit Island

This is day 13 at kahit hindi naman super hectic yung schedule namin kasi may kasama rin kaming parents na senior, nakakapagod pa rin talaga. Kaya everytime pupunta kami sa next stop, wala ako masyadong enthusiasm. Kumbaga skeptical ako kasi ang dami na naming napuntahan na magaganda. Pero once andun na kami sa lugar, nawawala talaga yung pagod. Ang ganda pa rin talaga. Hindi ka mauumay. Parang mahiya ka na lang kung maumay ka. Parang ang kapal naman ng muka kong magsawa sa beauty of mother earth.

Cruise uli ‘to tulad nung sa Lake Minnewanka at this time, may nakita kaming mga glaciers. Ang cool. Nakakainis limot ko na yung mga pangalan nung glaciers pero iri-research ko uli mamaya. Dito sa cruise na ‘to bababa kami sa isang island. Spirit Island yung tawag. Hindi namin pwedeng libutin yung buong island to respect the indigenous people na unang tumira dito. Parang 10 minutes lang yung trail at ang ganda ng view ng lake from this spot. Fun fact:

The fact that Spirit Island is surrounded on three sides by the same mountain range is very rare and makes it particularly significant to the Stoney.

Sabi nung captain namin, yung mountain range na ‘to na ay tinatawag rin nilang ‘hall of the gods’. Kasi kung magkakaron daw ng gathering yung lahat ng gods, tag-iisa sila ng bundok at nakaupo sila sa bawat tuktok. Ang ganda nung imagery na yun.

The trip is almost over

Minsan pag nagda-drive si Kenneth at may nakikita syang spot na pwedeng tumigil kasi mukang maganda yung view, titigil sya. Here are a few snaps from those quick stopovers, plus more mountain pics from the car.

🍽️ Canadian Steakout Grill & Lounge

Dinner time! Masarap dito sa kinainan namin kaso pricey. Nag-piña colada sila at nagsisi ako na hindi ako nag-order kasi ang sarap.

Baby back ribs | 4.5 🌟

Last day na bukas! After ng mga activities bukas, uwian naaa. Excited na kong makita si Cashew at Walnut. Lalo na si Walnut kasi feeling ko malungkot sya. Di sya masyadong nakikipaglaro sa sitter. Si Cashew naman traitor, kasi mas sweet sya dun sa sitter kesa samin. Daya. Pero okay lang at least he’s not having a hard time without us.