Low Profile in Valemount

Tomorrow we'll be in Jasper, Alberta, hoping to see some great sights. That thought led us to stay close to home today in Valemount. We got up late, after a tough night sleeping, had some coffee, and about noon left for downtown.

Our first stop was at the George Hicks Salmon Overlook. Just a short distance from the only stoplight in Valemount, next to the Visitors Center, an overlook over the Swift River provides a close-up view of the Salmon who have fought their way upstream to the place of their birth to spawn and die. The river is running fast and cold this time of year, and the Salmon won't be here until late in July, but we enjoyed seeing the place where millions of little ones will start their lives. Once the Salmon egg is fertilized, the little fish burrow up to a meter underground and wait out the winter. A year later, they rise to the surface, with their egg sacs depleted, just in time to feast on the bodies of Salmon that have completed their spawning. Growing fast, the little Salmon begin their long journey to the ocean, learning to live in salt water along the way. Years later, the cycle repeats. And so it goes.

Our second stop was at the Cranberry Bog. This marshy area has been used over time for ranching, logging, and now, as a sanctuary for migrating fowl and indigenous animals.

A walking trail rings the large marsh, but due to the abundance of mosquitoes, we declined the long walk and satisfied ourselves with a view from one of several viewing platforms.

A short stop at the Valemount/Swift River Museum got us a close look at the early days of ranching and logging in the area, which we found interesting, but not time-consuming. What was somewhat time-consuming was a visit to the Valemount Swedish Bakery! A small bakery, with pastries and bread baked onsite (complete with the appropriate smells!), gave us the munchies, so we had to get a couple of breakfast goodies.

The local AG Market provided spaghetti fixings, and we shot home in time to take a leisurely nap. All three of us need a bath, and Sasha needs another B12 shot. Always something to do!

Later in the afternoon, a storm blew up with high winds and rain. Several rv's lost their awnings, and camping stuff was blowing everywhere!

Even though the wind was still blowing later in the evening, we got a shot of the moon rising.....awesome!