Random Jasper photo

Fire damage and green.

Life among the ruins

Jasper National Park.

Random post

Sold the motorcycle yesterday. Decided to go to Jasper, Alberta for a quick visit.

One of my favourite places was devastated by a wildfire in 2024. Buildings are rapidly going up replacing the ones that were lost. Outside the townsite are miles and miles of fire damage to the forests. What I do not like is the whole business area is subject to paid parking where before it used to be free. Prepare to pay $7.00 an hour if you go. Trying to figure out how to pay for parking took a moment. You have to find the sign with a QR code and pay online. I loathe paying for anything this way. 

I was going to visit Jasper again this summer. I may rethink that. Jasper lost two gas stations in the fire and they are down to two remaining. I was surprised how busy Jasper was today and the two gas stations were crammed, one with trucks towing big holiday trailers trying to squeeze into a small area to get close to a gas pump. This will get a lot worse this summer. I have seen fights break out in the past when people get frustrated getting gas navigating a crowd. I am not sure if any of the lost gas stations are being rebuilt.

I love Jasper but I do not like getting gouged more than usual and it is getting too busy. It may have been ruined for me. 

Elevator Friday - near Bentley, Alberta

Thank you to Dale Redekopp.

That hurt

I put my 2018 Kawasaki 300 Versys up for sale. I bought it late in the motorcycle season in 2023. I did some minor fixes and rode it about five times before I parked it for the winter. I was stupidly busy that time with work and looking after mom. I was excited that I would be doing a lot of riding next season.

Well, 2024 saw me in the hospital for seven months and I have not been able to ride it since. It hurts a bit putting it up for sale as I had grand plans when I bought it. Sometimes you have a change of plans. 

Soon I will be down to two motorcycles.