It was the best of camping, it was the worst of camping

Craig has been begging for us to go camping in Jasper (again) for months. It's a good thing he started asking months ago, actually, because campgrounds book up quickly in national parks!
Anyway, earlier in August, we headed out of a weekend in the great outdoors. We picked up Kyler at work and ate some lunch along the way.

It rained on the drive, which combined with the weather forecast, wasn't the best sign.

When we took a stop at a lake, it was rather overcast.

I know there are impressive mountains back there, but you can't see them.
By the time we got into town, the sun was breaking through, but it was pretty windy.

We looked at the display at the firehouse,

Calista got to pretend to be a baby bird, we ate some tasty Italian food (roughing it, right? Don't worry, we'll make up for it).
Then we headed to our campsite. While we were setting up the tent, it started to sprinkle.

Caleb retreated to the car, partially I think because he'd been super annoying while I practiced setting up the tent in the backyard earlier in the week.

I'd threatened to make him stay in the car while camping. He took me at my word, voluntarily.

After we got the tent up, it started to rain. Quite a bit. We still decided to brave attending the campfire put on by the park rangers.

The rain paused long enough for Craig and Calista to dress up as bears, and show off the differences between a black and a grizzly bear.

That pause in the rain didn't last long. We retreated into our tent and played Uno, and then tried to sleep. Alas, that was mostly in vain. While the tent put in a valiant effort, the shear amount of rain began to overwhelm it and we started to have drips. Onto our pillows, mostly. Calista was not pleased, and it was one of the worst nights of Kyler and my lives.

Eventually the rain subsided, the kiddos fell asleep, and all too quickly it was morning.

Good news, though: morning included a hot breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and hot chocolate,

which did a bit to improve some people's moods.

After breakfast we embarked on our next adventure: the Pyramid Lake Overlook loop,

which is the longest hike we have ever attempted with our children, even including our hikes in Utah this summer.

There were some rough moments, especially considering how little sleep we got the night before.

And, of course, Caleb had to be carried by Kyler for parts of it.

The views were pretty nice, though.

And Calista and Craig did really well.

Towards the very end of our hike, and when Calista and I both had to use the bathroom, we came across 2 elk, grazing right next to the trail.

Calista was a little scared, because the rangers at the campfire the night before had told her more people were injured by elk in Jasper than any other animal. But we made her walk past them anyway.

After the hike, we headed to Pyramid Island.

There were a couple of weddings happening, so lots of people taking pretty pictures.

Thankfully the weather was nice for them, and for us while we ate lunch.

The view from our lunchtime picnic table. Pretty awesome, right?

After lunch we drove to Maligne Lake.

Kyler was absolutely exhausted, so he slept

while the kids threw rocks 

and climbed on top of me. I didn't mind Kyler's rest, though, because it meant he was awake enough to drive back to the campsite.

Caleb liked the fort we made of camp chairs and blankets.

While I was making dinner, we started hearing thunder in the distance. Kyler and I were not pleased, as we absolutely did not want another night of sleep like the one before. But the thunder stay in the distance, and while it did rain a bit after we went to bed, it wasn't as intense as the night before and we stayed dry inside.

And, just like that, it was time to pack up the tent and head home. Well, nearly. First we had to stop at Athabasca Falls.

So much power in the water. It's a little scary, actually.

More than one bench is dedicated to a young man's memory, having died after falling into the Falls.

We, of course, lived to tell our tale just fine.

Mostly because we made 100% sure to stay on the path.

No straying even just a little bit!

We also saw a black bear fairly close to the Falls, but didn't stop to take a picture. Pretty cool, though!

And, finally, exhausted and dirty, we arrived home to sleep in our own beds, with a real roof over our head if it rains. I'm glad we went, but there were some moments I wasn't so glad at the time. Ha. Still, thanks to Craig for encouraging us. We're already planning our next trip to Jasper!