Canada Land Trip

Calgary Tower

Erin dropped us off at the Caltrain station on the morning of 15^th May and we made our way to San Francisco International Airport. Our flight was delayed for an hour and we lost another hour changing time zones. We collected our National rental car from an indoor parking area at Calgary Airport. We should have taken photos of the almost new Honda Civic, but everything looked fine in the rather subdued lighting.

View from Calgary Tower

Our hotel, Lakeview Signature Inn, near the airport was lovely. We stayed for two nights. Downtown parking was very expensive in Calgary, so we chose to park at Fort Calgary, which we wanted to see later, and walked into town to the Calgary Tower. It was a clear day so we had excellent views of Calgary and the surrounding prairie.

Two new recruits

After a soup and sandwich lunch in a popular café, we returned to Fort Calgary. Much has been done to restore the spirit of the original fort, which was completely flattened when the land was sold to the Canadian Pacific Railway. Thanks to the efforts of determined volunteers, the land was purchased for the nation and the restoration began.

Soon it was time to be on our way to Banff. Unfortunately, Jeremy developed a urinary infection so we stopped at the hospital in Cansmore and were stunned to discover we’d have to pay 898CAD to the hospital, plus the doctor’s fee of 250+CAD. They suggested a Walk-in Clinic would be a cheaper option, so we continued our journey to Banff and went straight to the clinic, where we waited our turn to see one of the doctors.

Inns of Banff balcony view

Armed with two prescriptions and a much lighter wallet, we checked in at the Inns of Banff, where we were upgraded to a fifth floor suite, complete with balcony and views overlooking the snow-capped Rocky Mountains.

Lower falls Johnson's Creek Canyon

We headed for Johnson’s Creek the next day and hiked up to the first waterfall, the second waterfall and on to the Inkpots, a beautiful walk but very popular, so the advice was to “go early to avoid the crowds”.

Kathy at the Ink Pots

After two days in Banff, our next stop was Lake Louise Inn. We left our big bags at Reception and drove to the lake. We were lucky to find a space in the huge car park. Hundreds of people walked the short distance to admire and photograph the truly spectacular view across the frozen lake to the glaciers and snowy, mountain peaks beyond. Close by was Lake Louise Fairmont Chateau Hotel, which has stood on that site since the railway first brought visitors to the area.

Fairmont Chateau Hotel at Lake Louise

It was Victoria Day holiday weekend, so the crowds were larger than usual. All the hustle and bustle did take away the magic of the place and we could not escape to higher trails, as they were closed due to snow. There were fewer people at the opposite end of the lake and a small number of rock climbers were scaling near vertical walls.

Lake Louise, mostly still frozen

Reflections at Emerald Lake

Taking advice from the helpful staff at the Visitor Centre, we headed for Emerald Lake, in nearby Yoho National Park, the next day. It was a fabulous walk with clear views and the air so still that the mountains were mirrored in the peaceful lake. One side of the lake had almost no snow, but the other side was a snowy trail with several streams to cross on wooden bridges or tree trunks.

Torrent at Natural Bridge

We stopped to have a look at the Natural Bridge on our way to the village of Field, where we had lunch at the Truffle Pigs.

Goods' train at Field

We had time for another short hike so we stopped at the Great Divide Lodge and asked about the nearby trail to Sherbourne Lake. They told us there was still snow on the trail, but it was open. We set off and soon found ourselves walking through snow, which became deeper and deeper. We turned back in the late afternoon before the bears came out to forage.

Jeremy minus right leg on the way to Sherbourne Lake

On our way back to Lake Louise, we saw our first black bear beside the railway line. Later, we learned that the grain trains often leave some of their produce on or near the tracks as they pass by.

It may look small but it is a real bear. And I did not want to be closer!