What a great nights sleep! A chilly start to the day and the promise of an impending storm but Jasper beckons and we off in search of wildlife! Just on the edge of town we spotted our first black bear… a good warm up!
Our first stop was Pyramid Island on Pyramid Lake… a little spot id found on a hiking map 🗺. The island is connected to the mainland by a small wooden bridge.
Tom led the way onto the island and, within seconds, was gesturing with the same excited signals that yesterday turned out to be a bear! As Jack started doing the same I wondered I hurried over… this time a beautiful elk was staring at us from within the trees! She was clearly wondering what fools had arrived on her secluded island!
After exploring the little island we returned to the elk just in time to see her swim off to find the rest of her herd! Wonderful!
Like a gang of teenagers the elk is rarely a creature that roams alone… we were on the look out for her homies 😉 … just as we passed the road sign for the lake a ‘giveaway elk’ emerged obligingly from the forest! The herd! 😊💪
Callum has developed an allergy for elk (aka blackbearitis) and Tom decided to keep him company in the safety of the car…and we took to the trail! The herd were waiting… and patiently allowed us to enjoy their gentle grace.
The joker in the pack decided to reward Jack with a ‘deification spectacular’ – which jack filmed in full technicolour glory!
A brief visit to Lakes Edith and Annette was followed by possibly the treat of the trip! A close encounter with a wonderfully rare blonde grizzly bear! One of only 3-4 within Jasper National Park! (According to the Park Ranger who admired the post encounter photos!)…. 
She was incredibly relaxed and being just metres away from her was a dream come true. We watched quietly as she fed on berries and wandered the pathway… what a moment! It was appreciated even by Callum who caught his breath at the sight of her walking so close!
For the girl who spent her university years studying bears this was a dream come true!
The short, but beautiful drive led through to Maligne Canyon …and a short walk along her trails dished up a lesson in the power of the mountains… the water in particular.
The Maligne River means ‘wicked’ and the sorcerer that she is has carved a cauldron of deep, dark basins in the granite with her endless, lifelong thundering journey, churning and swirling as she crashes continually past.
Lunch in the town and a relax at the house was in order before a wood fired pizza supper. What a day.
Jasper still has my heart and, along with Churchill in northern Manitoba, always will. In her last but one day on Earth, I asked my Grandmother what journey in her life would she most like to re-live if she were granted the chance … and, without a seconds hesitation she said, ‘I’d take the Rocky Mountaineer train 🚂 back into a snowy Jasper…and hear her whistle through the mountains one more time…’ I can so see why….
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Sacha Brakenbury
As mum to three sons (and auntie to ten!) Sacha is kept busy trying to keep the kids alive, safe, fed and watered.
Having specialised in Child Psychology and Linguistics at the University of Reading, Sacha went on to complete her Postgraduate Certificate in Education before taking up her first teaching post as Head of Boys Sport and Year 6 teacher. After 6 years, Sacha was fortunate enough to awarded a travelling fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, enabling her to undertake an extensive research project overseas. Sacha has worked with some of the world's top professional sports and educational institutions across Canada, America, Australia and New Zealand - researching ways of engaging young people through the medium of sport and in particular how this can help to reduce drug use and gang membership.
After returning to the UK Sacha became Education Director at Ipswich Town Football Club, leading in the government's 'Playing for Success' scheme. She went on to establish three highly respected Study Centres back in the East of England, each of which used sport as a means of motivating children and young people. After successfully completing her National Professional Qualification for Headship in Cambridge, Sacha went on to study for her Masters Degree in Education.
With the arrival of her three sons, Sacha decided it was time to 'go it alone.' She set up her own business consultancy, supporting a range of charities and organisations across the UK. Securing funds in excess of £2 million pounds, Sacha was able to 'give wings' to a wide range of charitable causes close to her heart. She continues this today with work specifically for Child First Trust.
It was her own kids that were the inspiration behind her establishing Learning Academies (www.learningacademies.co.uk) - a tutoring company that has the simple mission to motivate and encourage its students to become confident and assertive learners who are not afraid to 'take risks' and challenge themselves.
As a passionate photographer, Sacha is never more at home than when she's travelling, camera in hand, boys in tow. As a qualified medic with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, she is able to combine her love the outdoors with her passion for wild animals.
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Essex Boys in Canada 🇨🇦 