Sam And Saundra's Year Long Adventure - Part 114

Sam And Saundra’s Year Long Adventure – Part 114

Canada

6/6/09 – Lake Louise/Banff, Alberta, Canada

We get up early – even though it is cold outside.  We head up to Moraine Lake.  It is above Lake Louise and to the left.  A nice, but smallish lodge is located at the edge of the lake.  Since it is soooo cold, we decide to go into the lodge, shop and get a cup of coffee.  We then tackle viewing the lake.  It is a smaller lake with striated, snowy mountains standing tall all around. Dead trees litter the area, looking like a pile of pick-up-sticks left by an angry youngster. An information board indicates that it was originally named HeeGee and called a “dark and gloomy” lake.  The lake is still partially frozen. As others start their walk around the lake, we leave.

Lake Moraine

We return to Lake Louise – the lake.  It is a nice sized lake, very high up.  More high mountains, with streaks of white, surround the lake. The trees are thick and tall.  The wind is still blowing here and it is every bit as icy as it was yesterday.  It starts snowing.  We forego entering the large Lodge, but admire the many floored, more modern looking “hotel” that goes with it. We take many pictures as we return to the comfort of Brutus.  When we reach him, he takes us down the mountain road, back to Louise Lake – the town.  The town is a modest village that has a few shops, restaurants and gas stations.

Curly

We are not done yet. Sam fills up Brutus and off we go to Banff.  Sam has seen an information sign that indicates that there is an alternate road from Lake Louise to Banff, keeping away from the freeway.  It is called the Bow Valley Parkway or 1A, and is known for its wildlife. So we go.  I have my camera ready and if there was any scenery on this road – I did not see it. First we saw a deer, buck to be exact, bedded down near enough to the road to give me a photo op.  Fuzzy horns a growing. Then we see elk, mountain sheep with curly Q horns and orange eyes, birds, chipmunks, something we know not, ground squirrels, and one mountain monster grizzly bear snackin’ on the railroad tracks.  We were able to get quite a few pictures of him.  At one point, he put both front legs on the rail beside him, looked both ways and casually took one more bite and stepped off the track.  A train came through only a few seconds later.  It was so entertaining! Sam and I chattered all the way home about that big, big bear and how he must have felt the train.  The only other thing I am going to mention about this road is that near Castle Mountain, a statue and marker are set up to one side. It appears to be a remembrance that the area was the site of the Castle Mountain internment camp from 1914 to 1917, during the First World War. Some of the held “alien” enemies were Canadians. Man that sounds familiar.

Railroad Bear

That leaves Banff.  Surprises happen because you can’t imagine all the possibilities.  Banff was one of those.  It was a small town that appeared to be totally in existence to cater to tourists.  A mountain alpine, rugged, artsy place with unique shop after unique shop.  Restaurants specializing in all types of cuisine, matching the many different accents and languages you hear as you walk down the street.  Sam parked Brutus and we joined the throng (no clue where they were staying), ending up eating Greek.  Great time.  I wished I had known to dress for the outing, but I was expecting the bear – not this.  Back home we go. 

Banff