SAD DAY

After a few years, we spent our summer vacation again in British Columbia, driving for 12 hours each way.

On the first day of the trip, as soon as we passed Jasper for a few hours, the town and the surrounding areas were shut down due to forest fires. We never had a clue that in a few hours, the whole town will be smouldered in fire and smoke, including the wildlife.

We took a video of our passing from the Park Gate to the National Park. Now we reminisce the beauty and majesty of the place that will never look that way again. 

I salute the men and women who risked their lives protecting the village and habitat from more destruction. If you have donated to the Jasper rescue, there's more to be done now on rehabilitation. Please consider helping in the short and long term for our national treasure and one of the world's favourite tourism destinations.

On the way home, we decided to avoid the smokey trail to Alberta from BC by taking a long and extended route but safer, less hurried, and with more scenic vistas. With bad backs and cramped legs from the long trip, we can still not complain about what happened to Jasper. 

You can never appreciate what you have until it's gone forever or damaged to the extent that will never look or function the same way. Let's join hands to rebuild it.