{"id":2430,"date":"2013-07-24T18:38:30","date_gmt":"2013-07-24T18:38:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/?p=2430"},"modified":"2014-01-26T22:43:24","modified_gmt":"2014-01-26T22:43:24","slug":"july-18-21-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/?p=2430","title":{"rendered":"July 18 \u2013 21, 2013, Lake Louise\/Banff\/Athabasca Falls Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

Morning already.\u00a0 \u00a0Still sleepy but Lake Louise is next on our list of things to see. \u00a0\u00a0Lake Louise is a small resort town full of lodges, Chateaus and cottages.\u00a0 Ski resort in the winter and full of summer activities for the short warmer season.<\/p>\n

Drove up to Lake Moraine and walked around the lake shore path.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

\"Low<\/a> \"Lac<\/a>\u00a0\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

About two hours later we came back to our camp site now void of campers.\u00a0 We are almost alone.\u00a0 As the evening wore on, the whole park filled to capacity again.\u00a0 We intended to go to the Bear Program early evening but smoky campfires nixed that plan.\u00a0 We are Banff bound in the morning.\u00a0 10:30 pm, hello train.\u00a0 11:40 pm, hello train.\u00a0 12:45 am, hello train.\u00a0 3:10 am, hello train.\u00a0 7:10 am, hello train\u2026UGH, might as well get up and start our day.<\/p>\n

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. \u00a0Fantastic Bison Eggs Benedict, exceptional service.\u00a0 We mentioned to our waiter that we would love the buffet but there were so many things offered that we shouldn\u2019t have, except the fruit, we would just order off the menu.\u00a0 He brought us two bowls of fresh fruit, gratis, to start our meal. \u00a0Service, professionalism, graciousness, you can feel it throughout the hotel.\u00a0 When we had our parking ticket validated at the front desk, we asked about room prices.\u00a0 For a regular room, $529.00 per night.\u00a0 Nah, just breakfast and a million dollar view of the mountains accompanied by poignant harp music works fine for us.<\/p>\n

\"Out<\/a><\/p>\n

Back to LilyPad, picked up KatieBug, off to Banff to explore.\u00a0 Took a slight detour to the tent camping area.\u00a0 It is surrounded by live electrical wiring and cattle guards to keep the wild things out.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0 Some of the bike and walking paths that surround our campground are closed due to recent Grizzly Bear sightings.<\/p>\n

\"Tent<\/a>\u00a0\"Electrical<\/a><\/p>\n

Banff was on John\u2019s Bucket List so we are spending the day poking around the town and doing whatever else comes our way.\u00a0 In route was an overlook with views of Second Vermillion Lake, Rundle Mountain and mini beggars that popped up to look for handouts.<\/p>\n

\"Second<\/a>\u00a0\"Rundle\"<\/a>\u00a0\"Little<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"KatieBug<\/a><\/p>\n

Banff Springs Fairmont Hotel was on John\u2019s 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.\u00a0\u00a0 The hotel is pet friendly so KatieBug got to investigate inside and out, along with us.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0 Oversized everything with incredible views in every direction.<\/p>\n

\"View<\/a>\u00a0\"My<\/a>\u00a0\"Fairholme<\/a>\"Banff<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Bow<\/a><\/p>\n

We were not expecting the wild animal guard entrance into the Cascades of Time Gardens, our next stop.\u00a0 The heavy duty cattle guard bounced the car severely and we noticed that high wire fences surrounded the entire area.\u00a0 It was a small garden that didn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

\"Cascades<\/a>\u00a0\"Knotty<\/a>\u00a0\"Gardens\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At Johns request, we took the Banff Gondola to the top.\u00a0 I\u2019m 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 The town of Banff and the Hotel were acceptable views but not much else.\u00a0 One wild thing, a deer spotted on the way down.<\/p>\n

\"Town<\/a>\u00a0\"View<\/a>\u00a0\"From<\/a>\"Banff<\/a>\u00a0\"Mule<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u2019s lap.<\/p>\n

\"KatieBug<\/a><\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 We found Beaver Tails and chose to substitute Tails for lunch, each choosing our own flavor. \u00a0\u00a0John\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"BeaverTails\"<\/a>\u00a0\"BeaverTails<\/a><\/p>\n

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. \u00a0\u00a0Nice paved level sites high up the mountain.<\/p>\n

On the way down John spotted some wild things resting in the grass and I stopped while he took pictures.\u00a0\u00a0 Neither of us knows what they are but they were free roaming in a neighborhood by an apartment complex and didn\u2019t flinch when people and cars drove close by. \u00a0If you know what they are, email us so we can give them proper names.<\/p>\n

\"Wild<\/a>\u00a0\"Unidentified<\/a><\/p>\n

On the drive home we took a picture of Canada\u2019s answer to keeping wild animals from crossing freeways, damaging themselves and autos. \u00a0They 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.\u00a0 They are attractive and camera monitoring has proven that they work.\u00a0 Way to go Canada!<\/p>\n

\"Wildlife<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrived back at LilyPad just in time to hear the first of our all night long train whistles.\u00a0 Get the ear plugs, it\u2019s time for bed.<\/p>\n

Late rising this morning.\u00a0 Caught up on loading pictures while John walked KatieBug.\u00a0\u00a0 More paths near-by have been closed due to Grizzly Bear sightings.\u00a0 That old saying, \u201cbe careful what you wish for\u201d is slightly unnerving as I have wanted to see Grizzlies in the park.\u00a0 Just don\u2019t want to be stuck inside our motorhome while the Grizzlies roam around freely outside.<\/p>\n

Our plans are to take the road less traveled, Bow Valley Parkway, which is a low speed road designed to allow wildlife viewing.\u00a0 Full and overflowing pull outs and parking areas, bike riders everywhere, no wildlife to be found anywhere on the Parkway.\u00a0\u00a0 Because of the nearness of the enormous mountains, there were areas to stop and take pictures with descriptions of each along the way. \u00a0\u00a0Not having picnic areas or regular parking, those stops were free from the masses.<\/p>\n

\"Mount<\/a>\u00a0\"Castle<\/a>\u00a0\"Mount<\/a><\/p>\n

Stopped along Bow River to get a picture of the \u201cDrunken Trees\u201d, something a park ranger had told us about.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 We have seen them along streams and rivers all up and down Alaska and Canada.<\/p>\n

\"Drunken<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Rear<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Lake<\/a>\u00a0\"Wild<\/a><\/p>\n

Nearby Two Jacks Lake was also crowded and without any beginner hiking areas.\u00a0 Decided to return to the LilyPad, stow a very tired KatieBug and have dinner at Lake Louise Chateau.\u00a0 Relaxing meal overlooking the lake and snowcapped mountains.\u00a0 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.\u00a0\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Morning already.\u00a0 \u00a0Still sleepy but Lake Louise is next on our list of things to see. \u00a0\u00a0Lake Louise is a small resort town full of lodges, Chateaus and cottages.\u00a0 Ski resort in the winter and full of summer activities for … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lilypad"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2430"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2431,"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2430\/revisions\/2431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/perrellas.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}