Day 16: Banff National Park

 Another North American Road Trip

Day 16

Saturday, July 4th

Having learned that the line to enter Banff National Park can be hours long unless you get through the gates before 8AM, and knowing we are staying about an hour and a half away from those gates, we chose to sleep in and went down to breakfast shortly after 8:30.  Our game plan is to get a slow start, and enter the park in the later afternoon when the lines start to die down. 

We left the hotel around 9:30 and went and gassed up the cruck. Then we headed over to the largest game store in the world (which had made an impression on Bryan when he was here more than 20 years ago). We had a great time looking around, oohing and ahhing and generally spending all the money in our heads. We got out of there half and hour later very inexpensively, all things considered. Bryan got a pack of cards for way less than he could find it at home or online, and we got him some terrain for a game he’s been playing regularly (Battletech) that isn’t available at home. Happy late Papa’s day! 

After that we got directions to Real Canadian Superstore and did some grocery shopping. We got some steaks to grill up for dinner in the campground - yum! And we restocked other things we like to have on hand such as fizzy waters, Pringles, and fruit. Alas, no bacon Pringles could be found for Desmond. He had found them in a pricey gift shop somewhere, and I told him I would pay grocery store prices for that product next time we were at a grocery store. But they didn’t have them. Bummer. 

When we got the food back out to the cruck and safely stashed away, we went over to a fast food place called BarBurrito Mexican Grill that was similar to a Chipotle. I was amused to put pineapple salsa and pickled red onions on my bowl (since these are not available at Chipotle) and both the boys topped their bowls with BBQ sauce. 

At this point it was just after noon, and time to head up to Banff National Park and see if the lines have died down any at the entrance. 

We were pleased to find that it was smooth sailing through the entrance. Also it was free admission due to Canada Strong. 

Unfortunately there was no parking in Banff for us to go to the visitor centre. So after a minimal amount of circling, we continued on to the visitor centre in Lake Louise village. It felt busy. There were people everywhere we went. 

We spoke to the equivalent of a ranger at the visitor centre who seemed surprised and dismayed that we had made no plans (other than our campsite reservations) as of yet. He explained that we would not be able to go to Moraine Lake because it is shuttle only and they are sold out. We knew this already. He did circle a few things on the map and give us some suggestions of good hikes to take. 

We asked about the Young Explorers program (like the Junior Ranger program in the U.S.) and were disappointed to hear that the program had been discontinued a couple seasons ago. We were told the only booklets they had left over were in French. 

We looked around the shops in the Lake Louise market area. Knowing it would be cold at night we bought a blanket in one of them. 

Then we drove to our campsite. There were beautiful wildflowers and a mountain backdrop. 

We set up camp and had a summer sausage snack. As we sat around the campsite relaxing, a wild eyed woman got out of her RV and yelled over at us “There’s a brown bear!” and she indicated the brush on the far side of her vehicle. I am not sure what the woman was expecting or hoping for us to do. We thanked her. She reiterated “No! Be careful!  A bear!!” We stood and indicated that we understood. We began putting food items away. She wasn’t satisfied, but nonetheless got back into her RV and it drove away. 

We were occupying a campsite on the edge of the campground. It was entirely possible for a bear (grizzly is what we had been told to expect) to be just on the other side of the driveway from us. Maybe, 30 feet away. 

After stowing the food, Desmond read the instructions on how to use the bear spray and kept it in his hands. We sat on the picnic table facing the direction she had indicated. Later, I climbed up on top of the rooftop tent (which was still folded up) to keep watch. 

After about twenty minutes had passed with no sighting or encountering any bears, we went ahead and cooked our steak dinner as planned. We had some rice as a side. 

After dinner I washed dishes and we all lounged about until 6:30. 

Then we drove to Lake Louise parking lot where there is no parking fee after 7PM (otherwise it is $38). We arrived at 6:59, and were saved in through. 

We were able to find a parking spot and walked a short ways to the lake. It was, a part of my brain asserted, one of the most beautiful places I had ever been in my life. However, I found myself unable to care because it was completely overrun by people. Like myself. People who were impressed. Who had never seen it before. Who wanted their picture with the lake and mountains in the background. I was grieved as we walked past the luxury hotel on the path around the lake. 

However, as we continued on, the crowds thinned, and we sometimes had a view or part of the trail to ourselves. And again the conviction that I was standing in one of the most beautiful places I had ever been in my life returned (and I have been blessed to visit some very beautiful places). We took pictures. We told each other how gorgeous it was. I silently worshipped the One who made the mountains, trees, and lake. 

And then the mosquitos harassed Bryan so relentlessly that we had to turn back. We returned the way we had come. We drove back to our campsite and set up our roof top tent. We went to bed early (no fire tonight) as we want to get an early start tomorrow on a hike where the parking lot fills up in the morning. 

Thanks for traveling along with us!