Mary – 07-22-12 WY/Canada Trip – Banff to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, AB

We took a day trip along the Bow River to Lake Louise today. The drive is spectacular and the color of the river water is exquisite.


Bow River

 

Conni working out the next picture.



Bow River Valley & Canadian Rockies

Alberta Wild Rose

Below is an overpass in the park built for the animals. Fencing keeps the wildlife off the highway so these special overpasses were built to allow the animals to pass from one side of the road to the other.

We had lunch at Lake Louise Station – one of our favorites for its atmosphere and history. The former train station is 103 years old and was first opened as a small bistro in 1990. Restoration began in 1993 and most of the station is now a restaurant with several dining areas. The trains still use the tracks behind the station but the station is no longer used as a stop.



Lake Louise Station with Gully Jumper and Bikes

One of the dining rooms at LLS

Old station office and equipment

After eating we drove up the mountain to Lake Louise, one of the most exquisite lakes in Banff National Park. Lake Louise is named after the Princess Louise Caroline Alberta (1848–1939), the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and the wife of the Marquess of Lorne, who was the Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883. The Stoney Natoka Indian name for the lake is "Lake of the Little Fishes".^[The color of the glacial lakes comes from rock flour carried into the lake by melt-water from the glaciers that overlook the lake.

Lake Louise - Banff National Park

Lake Louise is fed from glaciers above the lake

Leaving Lake Louise we headed for another glacially-fed lake about eight miles away – Moraine Lake. It is located in the Valley of the Ten Peaks at an elevation of 6,183 feet. The color of Moraine Lake, like Lake Louise is due to the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis.

Moraine Lake




We opted not to go on this hike since we
couldn't round up two more folks. Ha ha

Conni is standing on a rock - always wanting to be taller. Ha



Hanging glacier on the way back to Banff

The gentleman in the picture below comes to the campground everyday for a shower. He parks in the overlook right across the street from our campsite and gathers up his fresh clothes and toiletries from the back of his truck and  then heads for the men's shower/restroom in the campground. We started referring to him as the blue truck shower man.

Enjoying a glass of port at the end of the day. One of my rare dress up and put on make-up days.