Morning already. Still sleepy but Lake Louise is next on our list of things to see. Lake Louise is a small resort town full of lodges, Chateaus and cottages. Ski resort in the winter and full of summer activities for the short warmer season.
Drove up to Lake Moraine and walked around the lake shore path. Would have taken the wild things path but law forbids less than four people walking on the high road paths due to, what else, really big wild things.
About two hours later we came back to our camp site now void of campers. We are almost alone. As the evening wore on, the whole park filled to capacity again. We intended to go to the Bear Program early evening but smoky campfires nixed that plan. We are Banff bound in the morning. 10:30 pm, hello train. 11:40 pm, hello train. 12:45 am, hello train. 3:10 am, hello train. 7:10 am, hello train…UGH, might as well get up and start our day.
Thoroughly delightful breakfast at the Chateau looking out on Big and Little Bee Hive Mountains and listening to the harp music floating down from the main lobby. Fantastic Bison Eggs Benedict, exceptional service. We mentioned to our waiter that we would love the buffet but there were so many things offered that we shouldn’t have, except the fruit, we would just order off the menu. He brought us two bowls of fresh fruit, gratis, to start our meal. Service, professionalism, graciousness, you can feel it throughout the hotel. When we had our parking ticket validated at the front desk, we asked about room prices. For a regular room, $529.00 per night. Nah, just breakfast and a million dollar view of the mountains accompanied by poignant harp music works fine for us.
Back to LilyPad, picked up KatieBug, off to Banff to explore. Took a slight detour to the tent camping area. It is surrounded by live electrical wiring and cattle guards to keep the wild things out. No way would I be comfortable sleeping in a nylon tent with Grizzly Bears roaming around, even with electrical fencing and a cattle guard to dissuade the beasts. Some of the bike and walking paths that surround our campground are closed due to recent Grizzly Bear sightings.
Banff was on John’s Bucket List so we are spending the day poking around the town and doing whatever else comes our way. In route was an overlook with views of Second Vermillion Lake, Rundle Mountain and mini beggars that popped up to look for handouts.
When we reached town, we spied an off leash dog park so we treated KatieBug to some socializing with two frisky pups and a good time was had by all.
Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel was on John’s go-see list so we walked through the hotel and sat enjoying the distant views of the mountains and brightly blooming posies growing along the rear patio that overlooked the Bow River and Fairholme Mountain Range. The hotel is pet friendly so KatieBug got to investigate inside and out, along with us. It is an impressive 125 years old, looking more like a castle inside than a hotel but all the comforts you would expect from five star accommodations. Oversized everything with incredible views in every direction.
Next was a quick stop at Bow Falls, not as spectacular as Athabasca Falls but worth the short drive to view and enjoy the refreshing cool mist.
We were not expecting the wild animal guard entrance into the Cascades of Time Gardens, our next stop. The heavy duty cattle guard bounced the car severely and we noticed that high wire fences surrounded the entire area. It was a small garden that didn’t seem to warrant that much wild animal security but it had some lovely areas and the pavilion was hosting a wedding so a popular venue would need protection from wildlife.
At Johns request, we took the Banff Gondola to the top. I’m not thrilled about heights and KatieBug had never been high up but we bravely climbed into a four person enclosed Gondola with two young men, one mercilessly teasing the other for his fear of heights. A true gentleman, he immediately stopped teasing when he found out I was not comfortable being extended so far up in the air by a piece of metal resting on two skinny wires gliding us up the mountain. The air was brisk and refreshing when we stepped off the gondola and the view would have been incredible had the mist not lowered itself on top of the view. The town of Banff and the Hotel were acceptable views but not much else. One wild thing, a deer spotted on the way down.
The wait in line to return was frightening for KatieBug but as soon as we got inside the Gondola and the machinery noise ceased, she stopped shaking and enjoyed her king-of-the-mountain seat on John’s lap.
Back in Banff, in search of Beaver Tails, a fried dough treat I had read about in TripAdvisor, we walked through town and stopped to read funny T-shirt sayings and peer into windows of other tourist enticing stores. We found Beaver Tails and chose to substitute Tails for lunch, each choosing our own flavor. John’s had cinnamon sugar with lemon, mine was Nutella and banana slices, both junk-a-holic delights. Homemade ice cream was also on the menu and they gave out samples that were so deliciously creamy and smooth I vowed to return for an ice cream cone lunch next time we visited.
Grocery stop at Safeway before our 40 minute trip home with a detour to Tunnel Mountain and the Banff Campground that boasts of being without the nightly sleep interruption of trains. Nice paved level sites high up the mountain.
On the way down John spotted some wild things resting in the grass and I stopped while he took pictures. Neither of us knows what they are but they were free roaming in a neighborhood by an apartment complex and didn’t flinch when people and cars drove close by. If you know what they are, email us so we can give them proper names.
On the drive home we took a picture of Canada’s answer to keeping wild animals from crossing freeways, damaging themselves and autos. They have fencing along both sides of the freeway but every few miles they have constructed Wildlife Overpasses for the wild things to get from one side to another without crossing ground level. They are attractive and camera monitoring has proven that they work. Way to go Canada!
Arrived back at LilyPad just in time to hear the first of our all night long train whistles. Get the ear plugs, it’s time for bed.
Late rising this morning. Caught up on loading pictures while John walked KatieBug. More paths near-by have been closed due to Grizzly Bear sightings. That old saying, “be careful what you wish for” is slightly unnerving as I have wanted to see Grizzlies in the park. Just don’t want to be stuck inside our motorhome while the Grizzlies roam around freely outside.
Our plans are to take the road less traveled, Bow Valley Parkway, which is a low speed road designed to allow wildlife viewing. Full and overflowing pull outs and parking areas, bike riders everywhere, no wildlife to be found anywhere on the Parkway. Because of the nearness of the enormous mountains, there were areas to stop and take pictures with descriptions of each along the way. Not having picnic areas or regular parking, those stops were free from the masses.
Stopped along Bow River to get a picture of the “Drunken Trees”, something a park ranger had told us about. When the trees root dirt is carried away by the river waters, it causes the trees to tip over towards the river looking like a staggering drunk person. We have seen them along streams and rivers all up and down Alaska and Canada.
After our Bow Valley Parkway drive, we drove through Banff and up to Surprise Corner for a view of the rear of Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel, where we had taken pictures from their patio.
Wanting to find somewhere to hike for a short distance, we drove to Lake Minnewanka which was overly crowded and paths are restricted to four people and no dogs.
Nearby Two Jacks Lake was also crowded and without any beginner hiking areas. Decided to return to the LilyPad, stow a very tired KatieBug and have dinner at Lake Louise Chateau. Relaxing meal overlooking the lake and snowcapped mountains. No music this time, we were part of the early dining crowd that included lots chatty kids sitting with parents and we were impressed at how well-behaved all were acting. Back to the campground to pull in our front slides, hook up Ribbit and get a few hours shut-eye for our next overnight, back in the lower 48, Bonners Ferry, Idaho.