Canmore, Banff and Lake Louise

 Canmore

The drive to Canmore was straightforward once we actually had a car. 

We found our motel easily as T had worked out how to use the GPS.

It was a very simple room with some kitchen facilities.  The good thing was that it was in town and easy to walk to get supplies. 

Although it was late we walked to a restaurant at the end of the street.  The meals were not too big but I could not finish mine so we brought it home.  We got some milk at a corner store so we could have tea with milk, not cream.

The next day we were heading to Banff.

After a sleep in, we walked to a bagel cafe for breakfast.  We sat outside in the sun and enjoyed breakfast.

Banff

On the way to the town of Banff, we visited Lake Minnewanka. It was a beautiful day so the lake was looking its best with the cliffs in the background.

Then we drove to Banff.  It does not appear much different to the last time we were here in 2000.

There is the Main Street of shops and the famous hotel is across the bridge.

We drove to the golf course to look for elk but there were none around. We stopped at the Bow Valley Falls and took some photos then went to town to find lunch.

The rest of the day was spent looking at the shops.

On the way home, we shopped at the supermarket.  North American supermarkets have soooomany products but we bought just a few simple things.

Then it was home to cook and go to sleep.

Lake Louise

Today we drove to Lake Louise.  We went up on the gondola to look down on the Chateau and the lake, which was beautiful in the sun.

 The animal centre at the Gondola was interesting as it had many animal skins of the local wildlife.

We took the chairlift on the way down so we were able to get some good photos.

After lunch in the village, we drove to Moraine Lake where we spent a while sitting and looking at the view.  We tried the water but I found it toooo coooold!!!

Finally we drove to Chateau Lake Louise which seems to have grown since we were last here.

It was too late for afternoon tea in the lounge so we had cakes and coffees in the coffee shop near the entrance.  Then we explored the shops.

After reaching home, we caught up on the washing at the laundromat and then had a simple meal using up as much stuff as we could because tomorrow we were leaving for Waterton.