The Smitanic destination of Banff/Lake Louise Trailer park was a mere 102 miles away, so there was no hurry in getting down the road...except that Theresa wanted to arrive early enough to absorb the full experience of Lake Louise! There would only be a one night stay so all sightseeing would need to be done after docking the Smitanic upon this days arrival.Balancing the exodus of the Smitanic against the heard of RV departures and the anxious Theresa who needed to get to her Bucket list, the team set sail just before 11 am with an expected travel time of 1 ½ to 2 hours.
The days drive entered into an even more mountainous terrain with 7-8-11% grades going up then down and winding thru chiseled cliffs that nearly brushed the mirrors as Kevin maneuvered around the protruding boulders encountered on each curve. Highway 93 entered and exited several National parks. Entry gates had pass thru lanes (for those who knew where they were going) and another lane for those less familiar such as the tourists inside the Smitanic .
The Smitanic crew needed to be sure they were on the correct path and would not miss the destination, so they would elect to wait in line at each park entrance to get confirmation all was in order and they were on the correct path.
Theresa had booked the nights stay online via the Canadian Parks site and did a best guess at the closest park to Lake Louise. The reservation included a day pass to the park as well. Kevin relayed this information to the park booth attendant and she assure Kevin that the park was straight ahead and could not to be missed. Once again the navigation was 100% by the GPS, Nora. She had the correct location dialed in so every turn was gospel. Theresa was a bit concerned about the accuracy of the GPS as the name of the park was slightly different than the name on the Canadian Park web site where she had made the reservations. The web site reservation system said Banff/Lake Louise Park the GPS (Nora) said Banff/Lake Louise Trailer park.
The crew elected to follow Nora as they were instructed to take a turn for Lake Louise. Nora's directions were spot on for the campground. Validation of the reservations were made at the park gate and Theresa gave a sigh of relief! The site was a shared pad with just enough room for 2 RVs with slide outs. Another travel trailer was already taking up a large section of the gravel pad but there was plenty of room for the Smitanic and toad for the one night stay. Electric was the only thing that could and would be connected, the jacks were deployed ,and all but the driver side slide were extended. Kevin is still a bit leery that that slide has been 100% fixed.
Lunch was fixed and devoured . Plans were made to drive up to Lake Louise to get a map of the area, and figure out how best to get the most out of the limited time at Lake Louise.
“Your mission ,should you accept it, is to Maximize the time you have on this Bucket List”, This message will self destruct in less than 24 hours.
Following the signs, the CRV climbed up the steep road marked to Lake Louise (Lac Louise in French). The parking lot to the Chateau Fairmont was packed as well as most of the overflow parking. Theresa strained to see if she could spy the lake... where is it? She recognize the Chateau from pictures she had drooled at longingly causing her to make this a buck list item.
Circling the parking lot crammed with cars, vans, busses and RVs for the 3rd time Kevin spied someone backing out. Kevin turned on his signal claiming the spot.
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| Too Cool! |
The team contemplated what to bring from the car. “Should we bring the fanny pack and water bottles, Hats, jackets. Should we leave your purse”? Kevin asked in anticipation of all events that might be encountered. “No time for this lets GO” wined Theresa. Theresa strutted down the path like an anxious kid waiting to ride a pony. She was amazed at the number of visitors that filled the pathways and spoke all sorts of foreign languages. Then … down another short path and there it was “WOW”.... “WOW”........ “WOW”............ “WOW”................ “WOW”!
That is all that could be said. The Lake's grandeur was unveiled! It had an unbelievable natural turquoise color and was caressed between massive cloud covered mountains that were fed by a Glacier seen in the far distance. Just magnificent! Several (100's) photos were immediately snapped being careful not to block any one else's lens line. It had just started to sprinkle as the sun gave up it's attempted to bring some warmth to the wind blown day. More photo opps were made as the wonder struck duo followed a paved path along the right side of the lake.
The rain went from sprinkles to a steady pour forcing the drenched couple to retreat and head inside to the warmth of the Hotel. The interior was grand and ornate with wood, marble and lush decorations. Crowds of people were scurrying around like ants on an ant hill. Some where fellow sightseers escaping the rain, while others were checking in or out of the hotel and then there those who were there for a wedding! A stop was made at one of the shops to purchase logo t-shirt and jacket for Theresa. The rain had not let up so next stop was the lobby bar for some wine and soup.
Kevin quickly closed the tab and the two were off to enjoy the view again, take more pictures, and walk part of the trail that had been abandoned earlier. The team still had not returned to the car to pick up proper hiking items. Kevin assumed it would be a look at the lake but do not explore the terrain type walk. As the couple walked the paved path Kevin identified a trail mark that hinted the way to the Tea House. Without spoken word Kevin drifted in the direction of the Tea House. No response from Theresa. Kevin continued in the now new direction off of the paved path. Still no discussion. The trail headed up, still no word from Theresa. Kevin stopped turned and asked “would you like me to take your purse back to the car and get the fanny pack and water?”. “Nope, I am good” was the reply. Kevin realized that the mission had just been accepted.
The rain went from sprinkles to a steady pour forcing the drenched couple to retreat and head inside to the warmth of the Hotel. The interior was grand and ornate with wood, marble and lush decorations. Crowds of people were scurrying around like ants on an ant hill. Some where fellow sightseers escaping the rain, while others were checking in or out of the hotel and then there those who were there for a wedding! A stop was made at one of the shops to purchase logo t-shirt and jacket for Theresa. The rain had not let up so next stop was the lobby bar for some wine and soup.
Seated at the bar, Kevin and Theresa were able to chat with others who recommended the Tea House trail that took about 1.75 hrs to climb 3.8K up and 1 hour to come back down. Chatting with the Bartender, some interesting facts about the area were revealed. One was that there are 7300 employees who lived year around in the area to serve the hotel and it's guests Secondly, that Lake Louise was the highest elevation in which a Canadian population lives. It was about 4pm, the soup was gone the wine had disappeared, and the sun was starting to come back out.
Kevin quickly closed the tab and the two were off to enjoy the view again, take more pictures, and walk part of the trail that had been abandoned earlier. The team still had not returned to the car to pick up proper hiking items. Kevin assumed it would be a look at the lake but do not explore the terrain type walk. As the couple walked the paved path Kevin identified a trail mark that hinted the way to the Tea House. Without spoken word Kevin drifted in the direction of the Tea House. No response from Theresa. Kevin continued in the now new direction off of the paved path. Still no discussion. The trail headed up, still no word from Theresa. Kevin stopped turned and asked “would you like me to take your purse back to the car and get the fanny pack and water?”. “Nope, I am good” was the reply. Kevin realized that the mission had just been accepted.
The uphill was grueling for Theresa with her 5lb purse and new purchases in a bag, so she took it at a slow pace while Kevin had high RMPs and strolled right up the climb.
Every turn revealed a different perspective of the lake and surrounding mountains. The trail climbed up and rounded switchbacks to Mirror lake and then more up. Will the top ever get here?
Finally there were steps that led to the Tea House. The remote house had a full menu in addition to tea. Unfortunately it had just closed at 6pm. In speaking with 3 ladies that run it, Kevin asked “who brings in the supplies?”. He was informed that they get 2 air drops of supplies a year. The rest time they have to hike down and then pack back up supplies on a as needed basis! They did use the water out of the lake no filtering needed, just scoop and go. Impressive.
Finally there were steps that led to the Tea House. The remote house had a full menu in addition to tea. Unfortunately it had just closed at 6pm. In speaking with 3 ladies that run it, Kevin asked “who brings in the supplies?”. He was informed that they get 2 air drops of supplies a year. The rest time they have to hike down and then pack back up supplies on a as needed basis! They did use the water out of the lake no filtering needed, just scoop and go. Impressive.
Several other visitors were looming around the house and water falls, interestingly enough some had there heads buried in their phones checking FB or messaging! Perhaps they thought this was a Starbucks? Amazing how some folks will loose site of this beauty and not take in all that nature offers. Others are constantly talking all the way up and down the trail not stopping to check out the scenery. Mother Nature is not Boring. Maybe these folks are unable to experience life without man made distractions and false stimulus.
As the chateau was in view again, Theresa commented how much the whole seen reminded her of a Disney Park world with everything very picturesque and well manicured right down to the turquoise water color. Perhaps this is were Walt got his idea?
As the chateau was in view again, Theresa commented how much the whole seen reminded her of a Disney Park world with everything very picturesque and well manicured right down to the turquoise water color. Perhaps this is were Walt got his idea?
By the time the parking lot was in site Kevin and Theresa's knees were done done done done. The team paused one last time to again look at the lake and capture a few more pictures. It was after 7pm when the hikers arrived to find the Toad was the only car left in the lot. They had seen all they could with the limited time constraint and vowed to return for a more leisurely stay another time.
Bucket list item - Check!
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