We slept with the windows and curtain open. It got down to 49 degrees last night and after the heat wave in the US it was fabulous to burrow under the covers. We left the curtains open because we wanted to wake up for the sunrise over Lake Louise. We woke up too late but there were no clouds in the sky and an awesome sunrise requires clouds. I enjoyed watching the sun hit the mountains above Lake Louise.
At 8 am. all the bus tour buses began to arrive with their back-up beepers.
Gayle had paid for breakfast with our room at Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. We could go down to the main floor for a breakfast buffet or have in-room dining We were so enjoying the view from our room so we ordered room service. The person who delivered it set us up at a table looking out our window to the lake.
We checked out of the hotel, put our bags in the car and then sat outside and enjoyed Lake Louise a little longer. The lake was already alive with canoes.
We had reservations to have afternoon tea in the main restaurant of the hotel.
We had a nice array of tea choices. Gayle ordered Jasmine and I ordered mint. When it was delivered we were given a timer and the amount of time to steep our tea choices.
We both loved the salmon sandwich and the lobster sandwich. The scones were delicious. Gayle is a huge fan of lemon curd and they fed her love.
The final "course" was an incredible dessert buffet. We could choose from macarons, macaroons, Madeleines, dark chocolate mousse tarts, lavender honey shortbread, and raspberry lemon tarts...just to name a few. We did not overeat but we agreed we don't think we will need anything sweet for awhile.
We finished our tea and stopped in Lake Louise Village to buy some groceries before we head to the cabin we have reserved for tonight, which is only a little over an hour from Lake Louise. But we have plans to explore Yoho National Park. Kootenay, Banff, Jasper and Yoho are contiguous National Parks in Canada. Today we were headed for Yoho, which is the Cree word for "awe".
Our first stop was the spiral tunnel viewpoint. In order to deal with a steep decline on the train line they created a spiral tunnel. The train enters an upper tunnel and runs in a circular direction. When it emerges form the lower tunnel it has doubled back upon itself 50 ft. lower.
Our next stop was Takakkaw Falls, the second tallest waterfall in Canada at a drop of 1,224 ft. To get there you drive up a road with some intense switchbacks which, at one point, only allows one car to turn the corner at a time. The parking lot was packed. We luckily found a parking spot. We hiked towards the falls. Gayle found a bench to watch two Saint Bernards down by the river.
I hiked towards the falls but realized I would get pretty wet if I went any closer. It was impressive without hiking all the way.
Next we stopped at the Confluence of the Yoho and Kicking Horse Rivers. The Yoho is more white and less turbulent. The Kicking Horse is more glacial blue and more wild, thus the name. I tried to hike down for a view but it was way too steep. I tried to find an opening in the trees but it was difficult to see.
Natural Bridge is a great example of the power of water. Even stone cannot survive water.
Gayle and I had seen photos of Emerald Lake. We both wanted to see this jade-colored lake. The parking lot was completely full and there were cars parked along the side of the road for a long way. I drove into the parking lot and Gayle got out and I circled around. She took a quick look at the scenery and brought me back a photo. We had no desire to fight the crowds for a parking space.
We headed towards our cabin for the night, which is the first exit when we left Yoho National Park.
It is a lovely cabin but without an air conditioning or fans. It was 90 degrees when we arrived. This is not an area of Canada used to heat. We sat on the front porch and ate sandwiches we had purchased back in Lake Louise Village. I convinced Gayle to try the hammock seat. She looked so blissful. Another beautiful day in a beautiful place.
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