Today is my final day in Banff NP. It has been an incredible experience! Since the boys and I were at Glacier NP in Montana in 2001, and I first heard of Banff I have wanted to visit. It only took me 18 years, but the wait has been worth it.
There are three major sights I want to see today, and I suspect each will be crowded since they are so popular. Better get an early start!
I leave the hotel at 6:30 without breakfast...it doesn’t start until 7 but doesn’t end until 11...heading to Johnston Canyon. I arrive at 7:30 to a nearly empty parking lot which surprises me since it is usually full with a long line of cars parked along the parkway.
I hike through the uneven wooded path mostly in silence except for the tap of my spiked walking sticks. We have been cautioned to carry bear spray, but I figure if a bear and I get that close, I will just pass out from fright! Forget the spray and hope my poles make enough noise to keep a bear away.
It’s only 1/2 mile each way, and I meet an occasional early bird. We smile and say, “Hello!” One man tells me to keep going; “It’s worth it!”
The trail meanders along a rushing stream with small falls in the valley and sometimes at the top of the gorge. I wonder if this is it, but I keep walking. This doesn’t seem “worth it” so far.
I hear thundering water before I see the falls crashing from the ledge above and rushing downstream. I duck and enter a small cave opening up to a small viewing platform. Absolutely stunning!
A fine mist from the fall’s spray is carried by the breeze and covers me, and I enjoy getting soaked in this beautiful place. The noise is so loud you couldn’t carry on a conversation, and I try to videotape it but without wireless there is no sound.
More people are waiting for turns on the platform so I reluctantly leave evidently looking worse than I thought. One little girl sees me wet and gets all big-eyed and a look of horror comes over her face!
The trail is packed on my return trip, and I am so glad to have come early. However, most don’t seem to meet my eye or return my greeting. Maybe they think this crazy person jumped in!
I head back to the hotel for a late breakfast and a short nap...and a drying out....before checking off my next two activities. I’m tired since I was fighting witches all night in my dreams. No idea where that came from!
An animal jam is ahead on the parkway caused by a huge grizzly bear! I pull behind a car but can’t get a good picture through my windshield so I open my car door to film between my car jam and door. The people in the car across from me frantically wave their arms and pantomime, “Stay in your car!” I know I’m old, but I am not stupid!
I ignore my neighbors while the grizzly entertains us for 20 minutes. He is a beautiful soft light brown with a huge hump on his back and a silver streak on his side.
He is feeding on vegetation by the roadside, gets bored or full and crosses the road between cars. Unfortunately, this means I am photographing him into the sun. After sitting and wriggling his butt and scratching his back, he finally decides to continue his stroll nonchalantly until fading into the woods. Awesome!
I know I am not suppose to use a hand-held phone while driving. Don’t know if a camera counts but wanted to show a few shots of the scenery driving on the Trans-Canadian Highway in Banff.
Breakfast, nap, shower, dry clothes, and time for a cruise on Lake Minnewanka. Standing in line, I chat with a family from Portland but originally from the Philippines. We talk about Portland and my visit along with Michael’s trip and accident on his vacation. Both parents ask if Michael was still in the Philippines; I think they were going to send word to family to help him!
This large glacier fed lake was created from a much smaller one during the WWII years by a dam to produce hydroelectric power. Individual boats are available to rent, but I choose an hour cruise with commentary.
Minnewanka means “lake of many spirits” according to the First Nation People. They believed the lake held two spirits, one good and another evil. The evil spirit’s face was imprinted on the rock wall which surrounds the lake ready to cause havoc whenever possible.
However, the good spirit was also present as evidenced by his facial profile in stone to protect visitors to his lake.
I have a short stop to view another bear in a field before he is out of sight. The family on the boat had not seen a bear yet. Where are they?
Final stop is a lake I was told not to miss. It is near Lake Louise which is an hour’s drive, but I’ve heard it is even more beautiful. As I mentioned earlier, Lake Louise was so crowded on my original visit I was not impressed. The parking lot for Moraine Lake was full and closed on my first visit, but today it’s later in the day plus a weekday so I will give it another try.
Yes, parking lot is open, and I walk down towards the water. How many superlatives can I use when one sight exceeds the next!
Moraine Lake is called “the valley of the thirty peaks” which surrounds it. The image is so beloved that it is depicted on the reverse side of the Canadian twenty dollar bill. Beautiful turquoise water, snow capped peaks, and a hanging glacier greet a more tranquil setting than its busy neighbor.
Multi-color canoes line the dock ready for tourists.
Here you can sit and think and pray.
I am not photogenic. I either shut my eyes or squint and wrinkle my forehead or smile too big or not enough or it’s a lopsided grin. Point a camera at me, and it often ruins a perfectly good picture. On this trip, I discovered selfies which only include part of me. Maybe my hat or hair and sometimes my sunglasses with incredible views in the background.
It is my way of saying, “I was here”, without regretting taking the shot. Works for me!
It is difficult to say “goodbye“ to this amazing place. It took me 18 years to get here, and I may never return until the boys sprinkle some of my ashes to mingle with the dust and the sunsets.
Only the thought of seeing my family and sharing hugs and kisses with them and reconnecting with friends make the thoughts of returning home and my life worthwhile.
So, I think I will look for more wildlife on the Bow Valley Parkway especially since I know I won’t be trapped and miss my flight tomorrow. I have developed a system of driving slowly...about 25 mph...with the windows open but no radio, no electronics, and of course, no talking. It’s only me, remember!
I have seen mountain goats too numerous to count, along with a herd of bighorn sheep, deer, and elk. My bear count is eight! I haven’t seen a male elk nor a moose.
It’s a quiet night on the parkway...not many cars, no bicycles, a solo jogger. A couple of cars are parked ahead, and they have spotted a male elk in the woods.
It takes me several minutes to find him. He is still and silent and majestic with a huge rack of antlers in velvet. He stands watching me and finally sits while I look out the window and tell him how beautiful he is. Too bad some branches prevent the perfect picture!
I ask if he is the King of the elk since he definitely looks it!
Aahhh! Thank you, Lord, for an incredible end to my journey. I return tomorrow after 4 weeks of solo travel, but I always meet and talk with people along the way so rarely do I feel lonesome.
I have seen so many fabulous sights. My pictures do not do justice to the beauty and sheer awesomeness of the Pacific NW and the Canadian Rockies. I have reinforced the knowledge that I am a country mouse. While cities offer a lot to visitors, I am always glad to leave and return to nature. Williamsburg is enough of a metropolis for me!
Thank you again, Lord, for protecting me on my journey, adding some insight and humor along the way, reminding me to trust in you, providing gorgeous weather especially recently when the forecast was 60% showers, and for giving me the opportunity to see the beauty of your creation!
I’m going home!
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