Pit Latrines and Pop Rocks

This morning we set out from the branch on our ROAD TRIP!!!  Jasper or bust!  Here we come, we will be taking this town by storm!  Now, if any of you know me or Gail you will realize that we cannot make it more than a few hundred km without a bathroom break.  So, with no city/town/village in sight we decide to stop at one of those "rest areas" with bathrooms.  At first it was just me.  Then Chisomo and Memory decided they needed to go too.  Memory went in first and then came out.  Memory and Chisomo went in together.  We hear laughing.  Then they both come out.  Then Chisomo goes in.  Memory stood by the door and, after a few minutes called through the door "Are you still in there?"  Gail was wondering if they thought that it was like a Houdini trick, but lucky enough Chisomo came out.  Memory went in.  She also came out, a relief to all of us!  When we got back on the road it all came out....these weren't toilets, they were outhouses.  Memory said she was wondering if she would fall in to the pit latrine...the what???  Pit latrine.  Sounds so much better than "outhouse" so I think we are going to have to rename ours at the lake.  Much more refined don't you think?

And yes, Gail, your butt looks fine in the photo.  No worries!  So once we were done with the pit latrine (I can't quit saying that, it's so nice sounding!) off we go to our final destination, Jasper!  There was a couple of photo ops on the way, and I will never forget Memory telling Chiso to hurry up because she might die of the cold before Chisomo got down the hill for the picture!  Gail assured her that nobody can die when it's plus 10....it probably feels like it though. 

We checked in and got out of the hotel as fast as possible (and no, it wasn't because I picked it and it didn't smell good, it's because we are on a very tight timeline and everyone has their own idea of what the ladies should see while they are here!)  Jasper Brewing Company offered us a great fare for dinner, and when finding out that Memory and Chisomo were from Malawi visiting they gave them their dessert for free!  Being a good Canadian Gail had ordered her side as poutine, and both of the ladies were brave enough to try this excellent mix of gravy, cheese curd and fries.  They didn't have seconds.  But, then again, I know a heck of a lot of Canadians who wouldn't have seconds of poutine.

We decided that it was best if we checked off at least one thing from the list of places to see tonight.  We walked back to the hotel, grabbed the car, and headed for Athabasca Falls.  Well, first we had the ladies don toques, and Memory put on a winter coat, but that was quick.  We learned easily that if you see a bunch of cars on the side of the road that means wildlife, so we stopped to see some elk but we were on a mission!  (Although Gail and I did discuss how much fun it would be to stop on the side of the road just to see how many cars stopped with us, then Gail could yell "Psyche!" and we could drive off just to do it again!  I digress...as usual.

Exiting your vehicle and your first look at the falls is amazing.  It is more amazing if you are not sure if you are going to survive in the cold, but it is breathtaking.  The sun came out, the wind died down (slightly) and we spent more time there than we first anticipated.  We found a set of stairs that lead down to a rocky beach where people had left inukshuks, Gail proceeded to try to make one while Memory and Chisomo posed for pictures on a rock face above.  She gets honourable mention as there were some doozies on that shore.

Now, for the pop rocks...you get pictures later, when there is sufficient wifi to upload a couple.  Gail and I travelled together a few years ago for work.  One of my favourite experiences was with her, Mel, and Danine when we stopped at the Nanton candy store and bought pop rocks.  It was a blast (get it?  hahaahaaaaa).  Anyhow, I mentioned to Gail that wouldn't it be great to see if our Malawian friends could try Pop Rocks?  Know what Gail did?  Pulled a package of them out of her purse!!!  After the breathtaking scenery of the falls we stopped Memory and Chiso in the parking lot and told them we were going to share our favourite candy with them.  And we did.  Pics to follow, but believe me, there was some confusion, some laughter, and a whole bunch of fun times!  Chisomo said she couldn't figure out where the noise was coming from!  

It's been a day of firsts.  First look at an Alberta pit latrine.  First sight of the Rocky Mountains.  First time Memory has not shared accomodations.  First (and last) taste of poutine.  First look at a mighty waterfall that carved rock throughout the centuries.  First sight of snow.  First elk sighting.  First bear sighting (and no, you CANNOT get out to get closer).  But I hope that, in years to come, Memory and Chisomo, your first Pop Rocks taste will be remembered as well.