Day three: Tillebrook Provential Park to Jasper
ALL FUCKING NIGHT LONG!!!!
After I got set up, a group of young people showed up. Three guys and a gal. Yakking and giggling. I'm used to it so used my earplugs and rolled over to sleep. A few minutes later, I think the girl came over but I missed it.
As I rolled over and the night progressed, I could still hear them. At five when I got up and headed to the john, the girl said "the man's up"
As I broke camp, she came over and asked if I wanted a hit or a shot. Smile I said it probably wouldn't be a good idea as I was gettng ready to bail.
I got the bike packed and headed out with a wave.
I stopped to get some fuel. The stores were noted to be open at 7am but it was 20 after and no one was around. While I was checking out the store, a car pulled up and a guy got out. He smelled a bit of alcohol and after I said the place was closed, he said he had someone in the back that needed help. Concerned, I went to look. He said his woman needed to be slapped around. Oookaaayyy. He opened the door and the woman (obviously an indian) was laughing. I chuckled and then beat feet to find an open gas station.
At the next station, I ran into a guy on an '82 Harley (he had a "Genuine Asshole" HD type badge on the bike Bigsmile ). We chatted about the ride and when I mentioned the soreness in the neck, he commented that it was because I was holding up the helmet. Well. I said possibly but then paid attention to it while riding from then on and sure enough, I was holding my head up. I paid more attention while riding and rested by sitting up as far as possible. Not only was it easier on the muscles, it was a little quieter. Learn something new everyday Smile
I got to Calgary and wanted to follow 1a vs the main highway. I got off at the first 1a exit and found myself following Blackfoot Trail. I turned around and eventually found 1 so I followed it up to Banff.
As I approached Banff, I was again awestruck by the beauty and especially the height of the mountains. I stopped time and again to get pictures and can see now that as always, the pictures just don't do the size of the mountains justice.
Now that I'm in the park, I'm slowing and stopping for pictures. Constantly I'd come up on folks stopped on the side of the road taking pictures of the wildlife. I saw a nice black bear and one guy getting close to get a picture. I kept going on that one as I didn't want to be a witness Smile Out on the plain, there were a bunch of Rams browsing. I also passed a couple of goats and a kid.
As I got to the icefields and the glacier, it started to rain a bit. I got my gear on and pushed on through the other side with no problems. It was a brief but moderately heavy rain. I'd picked up a few sprinkles back before Calgary but nothing bad so far.
Cruising up to Jasper again was very nice. The glaciers were awesome. I got some pics but again, nothing like being there. I have to get Rita to go up there one of these days.