LAKE LOUISE

Another mountain lake. Sure it will be pretty but so are the many others we have seen. We parked the truck and put Sophie in her crate. The parking lot is half full at 9:00 a.m. What is the big deal?

We start the trail and walk a short distance through the trees, all of a sudden I look up and cannot believe my eyes. Oh my! I see what the big deal is.
Talk about "awesome"! There just are no words to describe the sight. And, No, the picture does NOT capture the beauty, nor the vastness, of this beautiful lake and the mountains behind it.

I could sit and look at this for hours and hours. I am sure people do.

We moved on and drove to Banff via the Bow Valley Parkway. We had been assured of seeing wildlife on this route. Other than a squirrel and a couple of birds, we saw no wildlife. We did see plenty of bikers along this 35 mile stretch.

Arriving at Banff, I wanted fuel. The fuel stations at Jasper and Lake Louise were so crowded and tight, I was hoping for something bigger. It was not to be. I wiggled in and found the diesel pump while vehicles kept crowding in. When I had finished and climbed into the truck, Sharon said, "There is no way you are getting out of here." Well some how I did.

We parked the truck in a shaded spot and abandoned Sophie once more. We walked to downtown Banff and to the Visitor Center. After browsing there, we went across the street to Starbucks to use their wifi. We need to check in with our whereabouts occasionally.

Then to St. James Gate, Irish Pub for fish and chips, and a Guiness. We browsed the shops for a while after eating and then decided maybe Sophie Rose would like out of the crate. It took us three times around the area to remember where we parked but, both the truck and Sophie were right where we left them.

Banff, though a crowded little community, on this August day, is a clean, upscale, pretty place. Beautiful place to visit, wouldn't like to live there place!

We again took 1A, Bow Valley Parkway, returning to our campsite at Lake Louise Campground. Just before we got back, we did see a black bear. He was good size but was in the trees enough that he did not show up in our pictures.

Banff National Park is a scenic area. With the other lakes, mountains, and wildlife, Lake Louise is a perfect way to end this chapter of our adventure.

Tomorrow, August 19, (Happy Birthday Brenda) we head back to the USA. We have had the trip we had hoped for and now we are excited about returning to Missouri to see family and friends.