March 23rd, 2011
J is the letter we are honouring this week
J is for Jasper, Alberta
A real Mountain style Canadian town, Jasper's roots go back to 1811 when David Thompson got his men to build a base here while searching for a tracking route through the Rockies.
Today it is a 'relaxed mix of rustic lodges, cappuccino bars, eateries, a cinema, contemporary and historic Canadian art galleries and museums, excellent indoor sports and swimming and a friendly town with a permanent populations of 4.500 residents.
Jasper is now the commercial centre of Jasper National Park, located in the Athabaska River valley
It is a special municipality with governance shared between the Municipality and the Federal Parks Canada Agency, but in the beginning it was first a North West Company, and later Hudson's Bay Company fur trade outpost on the York Factory Express trade route to what was then called New Caledonia, but is now British Columbia.
Jasper is a railway town, - the siding at the location was established by Grand Trunk Pacific and originally named Fitzhugh after a Grand Trunk vice president. The local paper is still called The Fitzhugh.
The Athabaska Valley and the surrounding Rocky Mountains enhance the beauty of the area.
The Maligne Park underground river, close to Jasper
and beautiful Spirit Island
The animals that live in Jasper National Park are a common sight around the town.
An awe inspiring Parkway runs between Jasper and Lake Louise, to the south with beautiful glaciers and ice fields
and in the winter Jasper Ski Resort gives tourists a great feeling of final frontier skiing. There are no on-mountain accommodations because of the beautiful and highly conserved wildlife habitat, so tourists and skiers must stay in Jasper and ski at the Marmot Basin. Jasper is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most pristine and protected environments in the world.
A most magnificent place to visit!
For more great J's visit here at ABC Wednesday with thanks to Mrs. Nesbitt and her wonderful helpers.
16 comments:
It does indeed look like an awesome place! Gorgeous scenery! Great place for the J Day! Love the colorful totem pole! Hope your week is going well!
Sylvia
ABC Team
Jasper.....That is a great place to visit...I may never get there, but your pictures have certainly given me a great tour.
What a place!! Thank you for the tour! I like this mountainous landscape! It looks a bit like my favourite country Norway.
I hope I have a chance to see Jasper one day. It is beautiful!
wonderful VISTAS and I love the totem!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Jasper gets overshadowed by Banff - but I think it superior. Nice tour.
Just beautiful!
What a beautiful take on J!
Come and see the Joys of our Lives, have a lovely day!
What a beautiful place. The scenery is spectacular. We were there about25 years ago. I can't believe its been that long. I guess its time to make a return visit!
What a great tour you have given us in photos and words! The closest I have been is to the south at Montana's Glacier National Park. Thank you!
HelenMac, ABC Wednesday Team
When I saw your title, I thought of the little dog. I've never been to Jasper but friends have biked in the surrounding area and rave about the natural beauty. All your photos show magnificent vistas.
Jasper looks like a great place to visit. I enjoyed your photographic visit and commentary very much.
Looks beautiful, and special that it is protected. I have always wanted to visit the Rockies, until then your photos will be the way I see them.
To visit the Canada some day, it's a dream for me! Thanks for this wonderful post, your pictures are fabulous, mainly the animals ( I love them all).
Léia - Bonjour Luxembourg
I don't think Jasper was a Heritage Site when we went there in the 60's. We actually walked on the Athabaska Glacier, which I understand has receded quite a bit from the side of the road since we were there.
Oh I soooo want to be there! Thank you.
Meryl
http://departingthetext.blogspot.com
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