Jasper Strong

Good evening from the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at Edmonton International Airport. I am currently on my way across the country to Newfoundland. Normally this is where I would start my travel blog however I just wanted to take a moment to talk about Jasper instead. 

As many of you know, Jasper was hit hard by wildfires yesterday. Latest reports say between 30 and 50% of the town has been destroyed. We have been watching in shock and horror as new pics and video clips get released through out the day. I can not express how devastating this is for anyone who has spent time there or lucky enough to call it home. 

For many travellers, when they think of Alberta, they think of Banff, Lake Louise and surrounding area. This area is what you’ll see in tourism ads, in Calendars and on post cards. I most definitely can not argue with that as the whole area is just jaw dropping gorgeous. However, at the other end of that ice fields parkway, lies the town of Jasper, in Jasper National Park. This little mountain town stole my heart years ago and I never got it back. 

With a population of just under 5000 people, Jasper is far more relaxing and far less commercialized than Banff. Although it is also very popular with tourists, you can still walk around without being elbow to elbow and there always seems to be parking. No matter what time of year you go, there is a refreshing crispness in the air and an abundance of wild life, even through out the town. I often refer to it as a band aid for ones soul. I say this because during stressful or busy moments in life, I have sought refuge in Jasper dozens and dozens of times and I tell you this, it has never disappointed. I have always left better than I arrived. There is one particular spot that I have come to cherish. Normally I wouldn’t share my spot but given the circumstances, I think every one should know it. At the end of Pyramid road lies Pyramid Mountain which is mirrored in…….you guessed it, Pyramid Lake. On that lake there is a tiny little island, once again called Pyramid island. It is linked to the main land by a little walking bridge. On the north side of that island is a little park bench that faces the mountain. I can not tell you how many hours I have spent on that bench, just taking in the view, chatting with whom ever was in my company at the time, and even many times just myself, pondering life. When in Jasper, I start and end my day on that bench. That spot is the band aid for my soul that I mentioned earlier. I have witnessed friends get married on that spot, sat and watched my dear Mojo (RIP) sniff every square foot and hell, one night friends and I even crashed a star gazing gathering there one winter. We pretended to be part of the group and drank their hot chocolate! Thankfully, or at least to the best of my knowledge, that area was not touched by the fire. 

Forest fires have become an all too unwelcome part of our lives here in Alberta. Every single year at least a couple towns get evacuated. For the most part, the residents have returned home with out loss however that hasn’t always been the case. In 2011 Slave Lake, where I live now, was heavily damaged by a wildfire. Then again in 2016 the city of Fort McMurray was heavily damaged by a wildfire nicknamed the beast! Now Jasper has taken the hit. It is stressful and mentally draining on times. Fire comes close, you prepare, fire moves away! Over and over! It seems like mother nature takes out her frustrations on us some times. It could be hot, extremely dry and windy for months on end causing fires, and then after fires are non existent, it rains and rains and RAINS! However they rarely seem to happen simultaneously! 

Earlier this week end when Jasper was first evacuated, I honesty never thought for a second that anything would happen to that town. It is such an special area for many of us. What is Alberta with out Jasper one may ask. While I was at work, and already in vacation mode, a friend messaged me to give me the heads up and sent me a pic of the Maligne lodge on fire. This absolutely took the wind out of my sails. I was devastated. How is this possible?? However I thanked her for messaging me because only moments after that, the news was all over Facebook. I can’t imagine finding out that way. Of course it has been the main topic of conversation since the news broke. Rightfully so, its a momentous loss for us here. Watching our wonderful premier in tears on the news tonight was just a reality check that I was not ready for. However she assured that they will rebuild and endless help would be made available. Structures can be replaced but all those animals, well I struggle to think of the loss as they tried to flee. 

As the days move forward, I am sure you will see the devastation for yourselves via news broadcasts or social media. Take a moment and think of those displaced, who have lost everything, the animals who perished and the national treasure of a town, now in ruin. They will rebuild, Jasper strong!