A lovely campsite at Mosquito Creek, just a few kms north
of Banff. It was a little overcast when
we got up, but we had breakfast with the rushing ice-blue river right beside
us, and we packed up and ready to head for Lake Louise by 9 am in an effort to
beat the hoards. On the way out we went via Ad & Bernadette’s site to say
good bye, and they were just leaving to do the same thing, so we took a couple
of pics and headed south. They filled up
with 10% biodiesel a couple of days and are having all sorts of issues – one of
which is the blowing of a LOT of black smoke out the back ! Hopefully some “normal” diesel will fix it.
We arrived at Lake Louise together, and walked down to
the Lake – Being Dutch, Ad and Bernadette wanted to find a TV to watch the Netherlands – Mexico
World Cup match, and we told them to go in the Fairmont. I guess they did, because when we left, their
Troopie was still in the car park ! I am
sure they are happy campers after their win !!
Lake Louise ?
Well, this is my 3rd time, and Janet’s second, and this was
the first time we have seen any sun on it.
I have been more than under impressed on previous visits, which could
have been due to the weather, but this time, even with a bit of sun, I remain
unimpressed. I know lots of you will
disagree with me – I admit that it is very beautiful, and in an amazing setting
with the glaciers, but it isn’t THAT stunning !
There are several other lakes even in Jasper NP which I
reckon are just
as ice-blue and stunning – And what’s more they don’t have 10 million people
crowding around, or a big ugly hotel stuck right on the edge of the lake. Having to get pushed and jostled as you try
to get a photo without anyone else in it does not make for a pleasant
experience !! My opinion is that it is
only popular because it is accessible, so all the coaches bring their hordes
here, and they have little else to compare it with. I know, I am a grumpy old
bum, but that is my opinion, and I am entitled to it !! So there.
The best thing was that because we got there early-ish, it wasn’t as
crowded as I have seen before – Although by the time we left, the top car park
was full, and it was getting pretty busy.
We walked around to the other end of the Lake which was
very nice, and then went into the Fairmont – A bit like the Beverly Hill
Billy’s, I think !! It is very nice in
there, but not my kettle of Halibut at all.
I dread to think what the room rates are – But it seemed very full, so I
am sure everyone loves it.
Moving on, we went to the information centre in the
village and got a strip map of the last bit of road to Banff, and went off
along the Bow Valley Parkway, which I think was once the old road before they
built the freeway. Very pleasant, with
some lovely mountain views, especially at Castle Mountain. The little gas station at the junction there
is the one where, if you read my last blog, while I was paying for my fuel,
some numbskull woman decided to nudge my Lotus out the way with her car because
the pump hose wouldn’t
quite reach her car !!
More interestingly I remembered that just 100 yards down a side road, on
the top of a bridge over the Bow River, an eagle used to have its nest. So we went down there, and sure enough, he
was still there, on the nest, and his mate was sitting in a tree about 100
yards away. Most people drive right
under the bridge without realising they are there – Benefits of driving last
time with the roof off so you can see upwards !! We then drove on towards Banff, but at the
main attraction, Johnston Canyon, there were SO many cars they were parked for
about a kilometre along the road, on both sides – It was packed. So we gave that a miss and headed on towards
Banff.
We stopped for a late lunch sandwich in a road side stop,
with the mountains towering above us, before going into Banff where we had
promised ourselves a “proper” coffee !
Banff is a lot busier and more commercialised than Jasper, but it still
has a nice feel to it – I liked it last time I was here, and could do a longer
stay another time, exploring more of the area.
There was a delightful little restaurant up on top of one of the
buildings on the main street, with uninterrupted views of the mountains behind
– Reminded us of a few roof top restaurants we had visited at Boat Quay in
Singapore !!
Then it was out of Banff and off to our hotel in Calgary
for Janet’s last night before she flew back to Aus. We always intended to stay in a hotel, so the
fact that the weather closed right in on us as we entered Calgary and was
raining and bowing like a mad one made our choice even better !
Hot showers, trying to find all Janet’s things that I had
stashed in cubby holes around the car, and get them all packed in her bag – All
very luxurious for us after 2 months sleeping in Troopie every night ! We had a very nice meal in the hotel,
watching a replay of the Mexico – Netherlands game, and then I blogged for a
while to try and catch up on everything, while Janet went off to sleep. I didn’t sleep too well – The bed was far too
soft !! Ha ha.
Pics here :- https://picasaweb.google.com/117739775480775657932/0052BanffToCalgary?authkey=Gv1sRgCLWhu8SehtnzlQE#
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