The Wasp Burial Ground

Wasp Killer:  Richard

Photo Credit: Arta

While we were at the Tsutswecw Provincial Park (pronounced "choo-chwek") our lunch consisted of delicious turkey and cranberries sandwiches.

The smell of the turkey sandwiches brought the wasps to our table.

Richard, in an effort to protect his children, began killing them as they landed on the table.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

A wasp burial ground right where we were eating.

The dead bodies of these four didn't prevent other wasps from gathering. 

I began to think about the special talent my dad had.  He would let a wasp land on his hand and then say, "This wasp is my friend and won't hurt me." Then as a children and even as an adult, I would watch him let that wasp crawl up and down his hand, between his fingers and under onto his palm.  Then Doral would turn his hand over and show how tame his friend was on the palm as well.  There the wasp would stop and it appeared to me as though the wasp was sharpening a knife and fork read to pounce.  Then it would continue walking around until it finally flew away.

I decided to try Doral's technique.  No one took a picture.  Many were running away from my hand as I would walk over and show them my tame pet wasp.

Arta
Wasp-Tamer

Do you have your pass?

I started hearing about people getting the Free 2017 Parks Canada Discovery Pass last year.

The occasion is to honor Canada's One Hundred and Fiftieth Birthday.

On the way out to B.C. I asked Greg if he had his pass.  He whipped it out of his glove compartment, waving it in his hand to show it to me.

Moiya and I applied for free park passes at the same time.  I watched her do it, and fill out the contest entry for a free trip to one of the other parks that I might not get to. Filling it out takes only seconds. The hardest thing to remember is to check the box that signifies having read the rules and regulations. Here is the URL for anyone who hasn't filled it out yet.  The pass takes about 6 weeks to come.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/tarifs-fees_e.asp?park=1

Last year when I drove out to B.C. with Doral and Anita, he told me we could stop anywhere in the parks that I wanted to stop.  I had my list ready and Anita had her cell phone out so that before we got there, she had googled what was of interest in the places I wanted to stop.  

Very cool.

When I have more time, I am going to post my favourite places to stop along the way.  Why not now, since the places are on the tip of my tongue.

1. Skunk Cabbage

2. Giant Cedars 
2. Hemlock Grove

3. Rockgarden Trail

4. Rogers Pass

5. Field Tourist Centre to look at Burgess Shale

6. Takakkaw Falls

7. Banff: Banff Springs Hotel, Cave and Basin, Hot Springs, Museum, Candy Shop, walking on main street

8. Spiral Tunnels -- though this isn't in one of the parks, it is definitely a view not to be missed.

9. Bow Falls  I walked this 40 min in and 40 minute out trail with Doral, Anita and their girls last summer.  Breathtaking if you have the time.
  Arta