Jasper and Patricia Lake

 

Judy.Several people had told us about how beautiful Jasper is, sort of Banff before it became Banff. What a lovely surprise! It was an open, normal mountain town—sure, lots of shops and restaurants, but much calmer than the more famous towns. 

Our little cabin

We rented a cabin at Patricia Lake Bungalows, and were again pleasantly surprised at the friendly and easy check-in. There are probably 25 cabins on the property next to the lake, and, although they’re close to each other (and each one occupied), we felt as though we were distanced from others. A short walk took us to the lake, where families were swimming, canoeing, paddleboarding, and kayaking, all still seeming less crowded than anyplace else we’d been. 

A quiet morning at the lake

While Ted was checking us in, I got into a conversation with a young woman named Christine who was waiting to ask some questions. She not only gave me suggestions for things to do in Jasper, but in her hometown of Edmonton as well. That evening we were sitting on the picnic table eating our pizza, when Christine appeared at the cabin next door. After exchanging pleasantries, she said, “Our whole family is here celebrating my father-in-law’s seventieth birthday. Would you like some wings?” Sure! 

Christina (R) and family

And that’s how we wound up at a Vietnamese Canadian birthday party, eating like kings, talking about sports, and learning to cut up jackfruit, which, by the way, is delicious. 

Anton cutting the fruit

See what happens when you just say “yes”?

We had so much fun, though, that we slept through the aurora borealis that appeared in the early, early morning, and had to be satisfied with the videos a staff member posted. I guess you can't have everything.