Rise and shine. I generously let Carmen get up early and make the hot water before arising and getting in her way. Because of the fire ban we had no morning fire to warm our cockles and had to make do with coffee, tea, hot chocolate or a mixture thereof.

Eventually coaxed the grumpy bear into toasting her bagel on the stove, but there is still some lower lip showing. We packed up efficiently and quickly using the patented Bruce method and soon were on our way. Today’s drive was to Jasper and Leslie sped the miles away by loaning us her melodious voice and reading her ridiculous novel about some American feminist who out wits Sherlock Holmes and carries around 10 tons of makeup. Suffice it to say that Tatiana’s large furry muff provided the highlight of the story… At least for the two 15-year-old boys.

We drove Leslie horse until we hit Tete Jaune and the end of our grand circle. About 2500 km around BC without back tracking… w00t! A quick picture, some pawing of Carmen’s chest and we were on our way.

We stopped at Overlander Falls just past Mt. Robson for a quick 30 minute hike. I nice walk but not overly spectacular and we wanted to hurry and get back to the truck to find out if Nell could vet any more insufferable or if Tatiana was still stroking her sable…

Speaking of stroking, we arrived back at the truck only to find Boingy Bunny in a rather compromising position with Bunny. Carmen swears it’s not Boingy’s doing but a chorus of “harlot” proves her wrong.

Soon we were in Jasper and stopped for lunch and a beer. A nice stroll around town and we loaded up and headed out.

As we waited in line at Whistler, we started to wag and drool over the thought of a shower. Suddenly…

Seems when I had made the reservation I had inadvertently put August 30, not July. There was mo room at the inn for us and, being the long weekend, no room anywhere around. Dahn dahn daa!

But fortunately the kind young ladies in the booth took pity on our pathetic visages and refered us to the ‘special’ clerk. This bastion of helpfulness found us a cancelation and scooted us on our way. Come to think of it, it might of been the smell of 3 unwashed bears that did the trick. Nonetheless we soon had camp set up and were sluicing grime from our bodies with abandon. C was a bit slow so we left her behind with hardly a twinge of guilt. Actually we couldn’t twinge because of the layers of dirt buildup: worse than Tammy Fae at a discount makeup blowout.

But eventually we a were clean and a quiet time of reading, blogging and itching ensued. Seems someone had left her Polysporin at home and, being delicious, was suffering from innumerable bites, cuts and rashes from incessant scratching (we plan on taping socks on her hands tonight). She is, as she said, as itchy and burning as a sailor on leave.

Dinner (smokies and s’mores) are in the agenda next followed by fire and sleep.