Friday, August 17, 2018

My B. C. Trip Part 3



I thought I could write about my trip in 3 parts..hahahaaa...I forgot that I am a blithering talker  and simply can’t  concise it in just 3 parts. Since then (it has been over a month now) my hubby and I traveled to his Aunt’s place right on The Richelieu River which was very relaxing. Now, back in July, (music and fade to...) Day 3 was a better day for my friend, Jeff, since we can leave the previous day behind and start fresh in beautiful downtown Banff.


We had a choice, I could have gone up the gondola ride and looked at more vistas or I could have a nice relaxing swim in the hot springs. Let me ponder this, ...get in a tiny cable car dangling by a wire, feel my heart pound and have everyone see me as I freak out, which will not look c'est chique, due to my horrible fear of heights, or swim in the beautiful warm waters of these hot springs, relaxing and looking at the vista as my sore body relaxes for an hour.(What a flippin long sentence) Yup, the waters won and I am so happy that I took this swim.


This swimming hole was very close to The Banff Springs Hotel, an exclusive and famous hotel that has great history along with ghost stories! I wish I had time to wander around looking like I owned the place in my $10 top and $20 capri's wearing my artist socks with sandals! The security guard would have probably followed me everywhere.


Downtown Banff looks like a picture postcard and has hotels, restaurants and tourist shops...everything one needs to make one poor.


After we left Banff, we headed to Johnston Trail to the Upper and Lower Falls. We only had time to hike to the lower falls which was aok and what views! I loved this walk which was part trail and part walkway up against some big rocks. I was proud of myself to be able to walk the length (1/2 mile) and walk on this narrow path. I did walk on the inside and told everyone to just go around me as I am scared of heights. They seemed fine plus they had no choice:)


I love these bridges, why? They are not for humans but for animals! Along this hwy, many animals were being killed by cars not to mention people and the cars being smashed, but I care more about the animals. For over a 100 miles (I think), there is fencing preventing the animals from crossing the road except for the bridges and the tunnels. Cameras were set up to see if animals were using the crossings and, yes they are, they have pictures of cougars, bears, wolves, moose etc... One can go to Youtube and check it out.



Lake Milne was a sight to behold! It was actually on the back of our $20 bill until 1989 and, if you ask me, they should have kept it. The first picture was taken at shore level whereas the 2nd picture, courtesy of Mr. Jeff, was taken up top this huge stone pile where the actual shot for the $20 bill was done. The colour of the lake is actually that beautiful aqua blue due to the silt. We had 45 minutes here and Jeff was ready to kill the family of 14 who decided to take the steps up to the viewing platform in the last 10 minutes! Jeff told them he would leave them there & they would need a taxi back. The kids started to shriek but Jeff got the message across. This family were always late, complained for better seats, were belligerent to the bus driver (not all 14 but 2 of them were) and never tipped!


After seeing another bear munch down on some sweet blueberries, not humans, we arrived at Lake Louise. The view is yet another amazing sight of Lake Louise and a glacier that many people, who stay at the Lake Louise resort, can enjoy. The gardens are beautiful and I even saw some prairie dog or some rodent on the lawn, chirping away while her youngins' fed. As Jeff tried to get closer for a shot, she gave some shriek and they all scampered down a hole.  I have to admit the exterior of the resort was meh because, if taken out of this scenery, you would think you are looking at a hospital or some nut house.



The next morning, it was a balmy 7C, rainy but dramatic as we traveled through some of the nicest scenery yet. I became a shutter fiend again and took tons of pics which I whittled down and show 2 here. It was moody and magnificent and I am not talking about Jane Russell or her mountains (Yes she was described this way).

Almost done...


21 comments:

  1. Wowza, the scenery is very dramatic. I want to wander there. I can' get over how blue the lakes are. Gorgeous! Seems like every group has to have heavy complainers. Why is that? As long as it's not me. Hurrah for you walking up to the lower falls! I'm finding that my knees like hot weather. Unfortunately, the rest of my body does not.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stunning scenery!
    I wouldn't have been too crazy about that path on the side of the hill though.
    And that was really clever to build bridges for the animals.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Banff sure is a picturesque spot indeed. Always where my old boss used to go for "meetings" while leaving us lackeys behind lol You didn't want to provide some entertainment and freak out on a cable car? geez.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gondola or hot springs? Gondola or hot springs? Gosh, I'm not sure I could choose says the gal who starts shaking on the second rung of a two-step step-ladder. I thought that was very brave of you at the falls, too.

    Your photos were breathtaking and your run-on sentences remind me of me. You find the most unusual and fun things to talk about like your $20 bill, the Banff Springs Hotel, and the bridges for animals. Not a typical tourist post, but you aren't a typical tourist. I SO love your trip and feel like I was there, too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gorgeous. OK, so this tour is now on my bucket list.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wonderful! Goes without saying - I love it all.

    ReplyDelete
  7. You couldn't pay me to go up in a cable car. I'm so afraid of heights I have a hard time using a step stool.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Birgit - I was lucky enough to stay in that hotel a couple of decades ago ... and it was July and it snowed ... so I didn't get to see as much as we'd have liked. But I quite agree the scenery is stunning ... and those bridges for the animals are new - I'd read about them ... makes such much sense ... Such a lovely trip - cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the fact that they have fenced off the roads and built bridges and tunnels for the animals. I know it costs a lot, but I wish it could be done on all the fast roads. You sure had an interesting trip Birgit. I envy you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh my gosh. How breathtakingly beautiful, Birgit. Kudos to you for taking that high walkway. I'm not sure that I could have made it across. I love to hear about critter walkways. I wish we had them everywhere.
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  11. The trip looks fabulous! The scenery is just incredible, isn't it? Wow!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such beautiful scenery and I love the bridges for animals idea! Thanks for sharing your wonderful vacation, Birgit.

    ReplyDelete
  13. A fabulous holiday Birgit...and wonderful pictures of the stunning scenery...and yourself looking beautiful among the flowers....hugs xxxx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Between this and your trip to the Richelieu River you are just jet setting all over the place:)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great photos! That is such beautiful country. One day I'd like to go back and actually spend time other than just driving through.

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's such a pretty part of the country. I've had a few family members get married at Lake Louise (not to each other).

    ReplyDelete
  17. What GOR-geous pictures! You are a super photographer and really captured some awesome scenes. Sounds like you had a grand & fun time. Had to chuckle about the cable cars, as I feel the same way. Also the hiking trails! Good for you that you were able to manage & enjoy the views despite the fear of heights (which I also share!) Thanks for sharing your lovely vacation with us! Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  18. Banff and Lake Louise - those are dream locations, aren't they? So beautiful. Thanks for taking us on vacation with you - and I'm glad you're taking your time with it, I love it, and look forward to more!!

    -Asshole Jay ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Really a beautiful blog.It is very astonishing and marvelous design.

    ดูหนังออนไลน์

    ReplyDelete
  20. Well, I am a little behind in reading posts. This is so lovely and I do hope to get there one day.

    ReplyDelete