Leaving Banff reminds me of the line from an old song that went, “Please Mr. Custer, I don’t want to go.” When it was time to leave Banff I didn’t want to go either but since we were going on to Lake Louise and Jasper Park, I reluctantly got on the bus. The farther we traveled, the happier I was that I got on the bus. Our first stop was Lake Moraine Lake in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. This glacier fed lake in Banff National Park was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. To see it is to love it and to see it at its best requires a tricky hike of about 600 yards to the Lake Moraine viewpoint. Unfortunately, Melinda and Debbie weren’t up to such a hike. The lake is a most beautiful shade of blue and it is set off with a backdrop of huge snow covered mountains. Again, I didn’t want to leave but Lake Louise and Jasper waited. The beauty of LL is the turquoise-colored water and the sight of Victoria Glacier that feeds it. After snapping away many, many pictures Melinda, Niles, Steve, and Margaret took a leisurely stroll along the edge of the lake. From LL the motor coach, driven by the best drive in the world, Hugh, took us down the road past the world famous Icefields Parkway, Jasper Waterfalls, glacier lakes, and snow capped mountains. After a long day of driving we arrived at Jasper House Lodge for a two night stay along the banks of the Athabasca River. Before getting off the bus, our great tour guide, Rick Ward, announced that dinner tonight would be on him and Hugh. (Actually I think it was on Caravan although it wasn’t listed in the itinerary.) Steve and I enjoyed a trout dinner, Margaret enjoyed liver and onions, while Debbie and Melinda licked their chops on chicken pot pies.
Beautiful Lake Moraine
Not so beautiful Lake Moraine
On the trail down from the lake
Lake Louise: The glacier at the top of the picture is more than 6 miles away and over a football field deep.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise
Another view of the Fairmont where the rich and famous, like my cousins in Ohio, stay when on vacation.
Jasper Falls
4 comments:
Cherie said:
We loved Moraine Lake also. The blue is incredible, isn't it? We never went with a tour, so had to find these places on our own. The year we went with Ellie, Jim, Sally and all the kids, we had reservations at Lake Louise. Because of 9/11, they upgraded us to a lakeside room. The hotel was nearly deserted since no flights were coming in. They even had to shut down the main dining room and just open the coffee shops. It was really eerie. I'm anxious to see your pictures of Lake Louise.
I had to rearrange Day 6 because I add another Day 5. So, I had to cut your comment and paste it under my name. I hope to have the LL pictures up on Sunday, maybe. Tomorrow is Sunday and I have a very full day. I didn't realize you were up there right after 9/11. I bet it was kind of empty and eerie.
We were in Jasper on 9/11. Todd and Steve and their wives got up very early to do a hike to the top of Whistler's. When they got to the top and saw the TV there, it had already happened. Rick and I were babysitting all the kids. We all sat glued to the TV that day. Our anniversary is actually on 9/11so we had planned on a really nice dinner out that night, but no one was in the mood. We got something at a little Greek restaurant. Of course, everyone had their TVs on. People kept coming up to us saying how sorry they were.
I loved your pictures of Lake Louise. Isn't the color of the water incredible? The year we were there with my sister, Rick and I did a horse back ride to the Six Glacier Tea House. It was right at the base of Victoria Glacier. I was absolutely terrified. The horses were on a trail where they were tripping and slipping on rocks and gravel. Once we got to the teahouse, I told Rick he would have to catch me when I got off, because my legs were numb. I was so scared about the ride back down, that I couldn't even enjoy my lunch. We got some neat pictures, though. You could hear ice breaking off the glacier while we were there. (there's a term for that, but I forget what it is)
That would be an experience to remember. I think it would have me a little scared, too. Now you know how Debbie felt going down "Sugar and Spice." Our guide told us that Lake Louise was discovered by railroad men who were going through the area and heard thunder like sounds. They asked their Indian guides to show them were the sound was coming from and were then taken to Lake Louise. I understand that when pieces of the glacier break off, it can take considerable time before you hear the sound of it falling because of the distance of the glacier from the lake.
Post a Comment