Lions, Tigers, and Grizzlies, Oh, my!

Ok, no lions or tigers, but Grizzlies!  Oh, My!  Bright and early on Friday, we opted for a ski lift ride up Lake Louise Ski Area.  This was partially based on the scenery, but mostly on the almost-guarantee of seeing grizzlies.  We did!  5 of the large rascals live on the slopes, each in their own territory.  During summer (non-hibernation) months, they roam freely and the slopes are off limits.  We saw why!  We saw 3 of them.  This big girl came ambling out of the wooded area near the Wildlife Center.  She grazed her way along the hill, up to the parking lot.  All human visitors were quarantined to the observation deck above ground while she roamed.  They are BIG.

 

Later in the day we drove to the Yoho National Park, adjacent to Banff National Park on the west.  We saw the entrances of two 2/3 mile long, spiral railway tunnels through the mountains, built in 1903 to reduce the grade for trains passing over Kicking Horse Pass from 4.5 % to half that. They are in use by 20 to 30 trains daily. More spectacular by far, we saw the very tall, roaring Takakkaw Falls.  The sound was deafening.

 

We ended the day at the most beautiful of the lakes we’ve seen here – Emerald Lake.  Two views…

 

 Today we got a bit of a later start (but a big breakfast prepared by Luke!).  We took advantage of the early morning light to get this reflective shot of Herbert Lake.

 

A drive to Mistaya Falls finished up the day.  The canyon cut by the river and falls is deep and narrow, to the point that it is mostly hidden by the overhanging rocks it has cut its way through..

 

Back to the RV early for a relaxing afternoon and evening.  Heather’s flight leaves at 6 a.m. tomorrow, meaning she needs to be at the Calgary airport (2 1/2 hours from here) at 2 - 3 a.m. for her international flight. You can do the math… our plan is to have her there around midnight.  We’ll leave around 10 p.m. so we’re resting up.

Smoke is better, but her poor little chinny-chin-chin is still raw and swollen.  The medicine seems to burn as we apply it.  2 more doses, and hopefully she will be much better.  She does seem to feel better in general – better enough to stalk and pounce at the little brown rodent that seems to live in the tall grass just by the door of the RV!

Sitting in the chill outside of the post office (bought wifi there earlier).  It's not warm here - 37 last night, 65 -ish today.