Banff - Day 2

Tuesday 21st May 2013
A later start this morning up at 8am, breakfast in our apppartment this morning and leave at 10ish, not so cold this morning 13C. Headed into town and found a Chiro for Peter he has still had a few problems since his last adjustment is Seattle, hopefully this time he will be right. On the road and heading for Lake Louise Gondala arriving at 11.40am, cool and overcast. Purchased tickets to the top that included Buffet lunch for only $7 extra so decided to have lunch first then ride the Gondala. Nice lunch with soup, mains desert and drinks all for our $7. Sun had come out a little but still cool so we rode in a covered Gondala to the top with views down over Lake Louise looks like it is still frozen. Suns out and it is not as cold up here as we all thought it might be.Walked to the interpreter centre and spoke with a Ranger about the Bears in the park, we are a little early in the season to see them, they have only had 1 sighting so far. As it has been a longer winter the ice is still melting and not much feed for them on the ski runs as yet. They still have patches of snow and ice on them. We rode back down in an open chair - which they use for Ski lifts. Great chance to take some photos on the way down.

Lake Louise from top of Gondala Ride

We then drove to Lake Louise arriving 2.40pm to find that the Lake was still particially frozen. Not what any of us had expect to see today but truly a beautiful sight. This let the way for many interesting photo's as we walked around the Lake with views back to Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. We walked through to the lobby of the Fairmont and back to the car.


Peter & Debbie at Lake Louise

Frozen Lake Louise - part reflection

Peter Lake Louise

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Left Lake Louise at 4pm heading back to Banff via the Bow Valley Parkway the scenic drive along the old highway many of the trails and roads are still closed due to ice and snow. We stopped 5pm at at Johnston Canyon and walked 30 mins up to the lower falls a lovely walk in the late afternoon as it's overcast late and getting cooler we decided not to walk to the upper falls still another 30 mins each on from here and headed back to the car.

Walk into Johnston Falls

Continued back into Banff with one more photo stop for Peter and Geoff at Pilot Pond for photo's. The girls stayed in the car and decided on where we would dine for the night. We headed to Earl's the main street for Steak (Peter), 1/2 serve Ribs (Debbie), Fish (Geoff) and Chicken, Fig & Bree sandwich (Betty), once again great meals. Back to our appartment at 8.15pm for catch up computers, postcards and diaries. Yep I am still up and the others have all gone to bed but almost done and need to hit the sack as we have another big day tomorrow as we drive up to Jasper via the Columbia Icefileds which will be more spectacular scenery so don't want to be falling alseep.