: The image caused me to yearn to get back to Maligne Lake, Jasper,
: Alberta, where I have paddled a few times. This image is of
: World Heritage Site called Spirit Island. I was there three
: years ago and enjoyed lunch on that spit of sand you see on the
: left side of the island. Directly behind the island is the south
: end of the lake, water color is generally aquamarine...to the
: north of Spirit Island is the narrows which opens up to the
: north end of the lake, generally a swimming pool blue color.
: Dissolved mineral content changes the color of this lake from
: year to year. The last time I was there the water was a pasty
: blue color because of excessive runoff from the glaciers. At the
: extreme south end of the lake is a small campsite where campers
: can stay for a maximum of 5 nights, assuming they reserve their
: spots a year in advance. I very highly recommend that if any
: paddlers are coming to Canada, get over to Maligne Lake, give
: yourselves a full 16-hrs to paddle, start at 0500h and stay on
: the lake until you paddle it from end to end. During the average
: day, you will get beautiful clear skies, wind storms (not quite
: katabatic but close), thunder storms or just passing squalls and
: a full memory card if you take along a camera. That would be one
: trip you would not forget. Apparently, I have been given the
: task of taking Keith, Linda and Wifey (Keiths wife) to Maligne
: Lake later this year or some time next year.

: Robert N Pruden

Extremely pretty place Robert, looks like I'll have to take Tom's advice eventually and build one of his Sonnets to carry on the bike :)

Bill H.