Day 3 in Banff

I had a long list of places I wanted to see on day 3 but I wasn't sure I'd get to all of them. I left the hotel around 6:15am and headed for Lake Louise which was a 40 minute drive. It was another cloudy morning so I wasn't sure what type of shots I'd get. I didn't spend a ton of time here because I knew the shots wouldn't be great because of all of the clouds. The color of the lake water is just amazing but the clouds covering the mountains in the background is disappointing. After I captured a few photos, I headed for Peyto Lake.

A NOTE ABOUT BEARS If you didn't read my last post, This Pet Sitter takes a Vacation, reading it now will make this next part make more sense. :) I'd done a lot of research prior to the trip and I knew that I was in bear country; black bears and grizzly bears. Several of the places I was going required hiking in "tight groups of 4 or more." I may delve into that phrasing in another post.... but it did turn me into a huge chicken and not wanting to venture away from the crowds.

My photographer guide Mark from the day before told me this about the bears: He said to make a lot of noise when you are on the trail because you don't want to startle the bear. Let him know you're coming particularly if you are rounding a bend and you can't see what might be ahead of you. He said black bears and grizzlies are very different. If you see a black bear, get as big as you can and make a lot of noise. Most will have no interest in you and he will be reluctant to approach you if you seem bigger than he is. (He did also say if it was a black bear with cubs, get out. Mama bear will become much more aggressive if her cubs are around.) He said with grizzlies, forget the strategy of trying to get big. He said grizzlies know that they are bigger than you. You want to back out of the situation as quickly as you can. Back out, don't run. So this was my bear avoidance training.

I was really excited to see Peyto Lake (Pee-toe.) I'd read online that there is a lookout that gets really crowded with tourists as the day goes on so I wanted to get there early. I'd also read that there was a nice hike to do above the lake that was rarely crowded. I was hoping to find some people interested in exploring the upper part of the lake trail. When I got there, I found 2 people on the lookout. Turns out they were a couple from The Netherlands. They were super nice but not interested in hiking the upper trail b/c the husband had a bum knee. I asked if I could walk back down to the parking lot with them as I shared my fear of bears story. Turns out they shared some of my fear - they were carrying bear spray and the wife kept saying "Hi Bear" when they were out walking alone.

**I should mention that when I got to Peyto, I walked about halfway up the trail to the lake and I turned around to head back to the car. I was psyching myself out thinking about bears. I took a deep breath, turned around and headed back up the trail to the lake.

I didn't spend much time at Peyto and I was disappointed about not doing the upper trail. Part 2 of Day 3 to follow.

Banff Day 3 Part 2

On my way to Peyto, I'd seen a mountain with a lake in front of it off to my left. Since I wasn't at Peyto very long, I decided I'd stop and I am really glad I did. Perhaps my favorite place of the day: Bow Lake.

There were trails to walk leading to the mountain but alas my bear paranoia was still ever present so I stuck to the trail around the lake. According to the trail map, there are falls in the area. A must do next time (and there will be a next time!) There is a lodge here called Num-Ti-Jah Lodge and I might consider staying here for a night or two next time I'm in the area. It is rustic and must have great views of the lake. It is about an hour or so north of Banff and would eliminate so much time in the car (I feel like I spent a good part of my trip driving. Not a bad thing given the lovely scenery.)

Crowfoot Mountain and Crowfoot Glacier are near Bow Lake. I'd read about Crowfoot Glacier but didn't realize I'd be near it. It's a glacier that is in the shape of a crow's foot however one of the talons has melted away.

It was still early in the day and I felt reinvigorated after stumbling upon Bow Lake. I drove to Lake Louise town for a quick lunch (which was super crowded and not so great but I needed food.) I then drove on to Yoho National Park and Emerald Lake. I'd seen pictures of Emerald Lake online and was hoping I'd get a chance to see it. It was a little further west (about an hour) and I wasn't sure if I'd go that far. I'm glad I did.

After taking in all this beauty, I decided to head back to Banff. It was mid afternoon by the time I got back and it was about the same time of day, I'd seen the grizzly bear the day before. I was driving by Vermilion Lakes Road so I decided to see if I would see Yogi Bear again. I drove down the road (it is a dead end) and as I was coming back, I noticed several cars stopped on the road above where I was. I looked and sure enough, there was the bear walking in the grass above where I was. He was probably 100 yards away (maybe further.)

I had the wide angle lens on my camera since I'd been out shooting landscapes all day. He was headed for the woods so I had no choice if I wanted to try and get pics of him to use the lens that I had on the camera.

I snapped a few pictures and he went into the woods. I pulled the car over, hopped out and grabbed my zoom lens from the trunk. I made my way down the road and found several other cars (probably around 6) pulled over also trying to get pictures of the bear. Several people were out of their cars and there was one guy on his bike. The bear was probably 20 yards from the road, behind a lot of trees eating. He didn't show any interest at all in the people but I was thinking the whole time, these people are crazy, they need to get back in their cars. I snapped a few more pictures and then the Canadian Parks Authority truck pulled up and made everyone move on. I was told that in Banff, the authorities make the people leave when bears are sighted. It's the bears' land... the people need to leave.

If you are viewing this page and the next several pages from your phone, there are 2 columns of pictures. You'll need to scroll to the right to see the 2nd set.

Walks with Wolves, Day 4

On day 4, I was meeting up with the photographer Mark again and he'd arranged for us to go to Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Center in Golden, British Columbia to do their "walks with wolves." The facility was started by a husband and wife team dedicated to educating the public on wolves and they offer photography tours. They brought out two wolves for our walk: Scrappy Dave (3 years) and Maya (16 years.) Maya used to be black... I would've loved to have met her then. The pictures of her on their website are gorgeous. Northern Lights Wildlife Wolf Centre website link If the wolves approached us, we were allowed to pet them. I wasn't sure what to expect but in my opinion, Dave and Maya were fairly domesticated. They reminded more of dogs than wolves. I didn't know anything about the center before going there. I assumed they were a rescue but they are not. They only have wolves that were bred in captivity.

I have a ton a pictures from the day. Below are some of my favorites.

Scrappy Dave and Maya

Lake Louise, Day 5

We went to Lake Louise on Day 5 of this amazing vacation. Our hike to the Plain of Six Glaciers was longer than I thought it was going to be. We took the wrong trail up the mountain and added about 2 hours (uphill) to our hike. We were on the mountain for around 5-6 hours. Luckily we arrived at the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House and had a light lunch before heading back down. The wait staff that works at the teahouse has to hike in. They hike up and stay in a cabin behind the teahouse for a week at a time. Supplies are either hiked in or air dropped by a helicopter. That is quite the commute.

Lake Louise, Day 5 with Kim and Don

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tour, Day 6

On our 6th day of vacation, we went to Canmore to the Snowy Owl Sled Dog tour. I'd looked up their website before going there so I had an idea of what to expect. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about seeing all of the dogs tethered. My expectations were exceeded by a long shot. The dogs certainly seem to be well cared for and loved. I was in heaven!!! Since it was summer, they give tours of their kennels. During the winter months, you can actually go sledding.

We were greeted by our host and she explained what we'd be doing. They keep the boy and girl dogs separated by a chain link fence. They rotate "play days" for the boys and the girls and today was the boys day to play. I didn't realize that we'd be meeting about 100 dogs - all off leash. There were probably about 20 of us humans and 100 dogs. Have I mentioned that I was in heaven?

As an aside, for those familiar with photography, I use the same lens about 80% of the time when I am photographing dogs. Up until now on vacation, I'd almost exclusively (aside from the bear sighting) been using a wide angle lens for landscape photography. It felt great to put the lens on my camera that I am most used to using.

I spent most of my time photographing the dogs. I need to go back again and spend less time photographing and more time loving on and listening to the hosts explain what and how they do what they do. And then I'd like to go back and photograph some more! And I want to go back to Canmore on a Thursday. Thursdays are their farmer's market days and we met a man who makes handmade kitchen items. I am still kicking myself for not buying the pepper grinder we saw. It would've been a great souvenir and it was my birthday.... I obviously wasn't thinking!

As with the wolves the other day, I took tons of pictures of the sled dogs. I only wish I had their names.

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tour

I love California!

Two of the greatest loves in my life: dogs and California. Most of the time when I take vacation, I am either on vacation with my dogs or I'm in California. I lived in southern CA for 3 years (see the blog post dated 5/19/15). This past week, I spent a few days in northern CA near the San Francisco area. We drove into the city for the day which isn't something we typically do but we thought we'd be tourists for a few hours. We went to the aquarium, Ghirardelli (and yesterday I finished off the last of the sea salt and almond chocolate bar that I bought), and Lombard Street. We called in an order for take out Chinese which we had for dinner. Last Saturday was a fun day. I love, love, LOVE California. The two things I love best: how pretty it is and the weather. I am one of the few people who likes both southern and northern CA. Most people (particularly the ones who live there) prefer one over the other. I am not biased. I love them both.

On my first morning there, I was up early because I was still on east coast time. I walked down to the water and snapped a lot of pictures. It was a typical hazy CA morning but I didn't mind at all. I was actually cold (which I also didn't mind at all!!) I appreciate any non-humid, cooler day I can in May - September. I don't get many of them in Charlotte.

Here are a few of my favorite pics from that day and of course, a pic of Em. I couldn't leave her out!!