Sharon & Sharyn's Great Canadian Adventure - Final Stop, Calgary

Well this is the last leg of Sharon & Sharyn's Great Canadian Adventure!

(Written by Sharon & Sharyn)

Banff is an Alpine-style town that exudes prosperity.
 

Between Moraine Lake and Banff is the Larch Valley which is surrounded by 10 snow-covered peaks.  A panorama camera would be best to capture all ten in one shot, but here is my best effort..

Sharyn taking a little hike near Banff

After a quick Banff city tour, a bit of retail therapy and a tasty hot stone fondue lunch, we aimed our trusty car towards Calgary for the famous Calgary Stampede.

Banff Main Street

 

 

Hot Stone Fondue




Chateau Banff

Just below are some pictures of the awesome City and the Calgary Stampede

Sharyn & Sharon in Calgary

Sharon with a Peruvian Horse

The Stampede was carried out despite a devastating flood just two weeks prior.  Due to Herculean efforts by the people railways were rebuilt, new energy lines laid, flood waters removed, buildings rebuilt and the Stampede went on! 

Level of the flood waters just 2 weeks earlier

Sharyn and Sharon were truly amazed and impressed by the city and the show.
The chuck wagon races, the spectacular entertainment and the fireworks were an appropriate finale to our Western Canada discovery tour!

Sharon & Sharyn's Great Canadian Adventure - Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

(written by Sharon & Sharyn)

At Lake Louise our stay was at the Mountaineer Lodge, the sister lodge to our previous inn in Jasper (a discount also is available if one stays at both lodges for a minimum period).  The Mountaineer Lodge exuded western Canadian comfort and charm, as well as an indoor pool and steam room.  And naturally the staff could not have been more pleasant.

The famous Lake Louise is only a 4 kilometer/ 2.5 mile drive away and although we had seen many impressive views during the preceding two days, the view across this pale emerald lake to the Victoria Glacier was the most postcard picture perfect scene in the Rockies we had glimpsed.

 

Lake Louise

There are various walks to choose from the arrival vantage point at Lake Louise including an easy 2 km/ 1.25 mi (each way) flat walk along the side of the lake. Apart from walking, there are opportunities for canoeing, horseback riding, rock climbing and no doubt more challenging mountain climbing.

Two people climbing the glacier (3/4 way to top in center – one is on the black ice patch and another above it – mere specks).  They moved very little in two hours’ time.

If Lake Louise (in our opinion) is the most picturesque lake setting we had seen in the Rockies, Moraine Lake has to take First Prize for the most beautiful color - officially cobalt blue fading to chrome green around the edges.  Sharyn unequivocally proclaimed she had found her new favorite color. 

Moraine Lake

Moraine Lake

We heeded the sign – stay in tight groups of 4 or more!

As always, there are a variety of walking trails for the energetic at Moraine Lake.  For the less active a short walk up the stepped path to many overlooks at the end of the lake near the parking area provides stunning views.

One visitor took to the water with her two dogs happily following. 

 

 

Moraine Lake is an easy drive of 14 km/8.5 mi from the turn-off on the road to Lake Louise.  And if you worked up an appetite climbing trails, a cafe and dining room facilities are available overlooking this magnificently colored lake.  Those who had more time on their hands hopped into rental canoes and paddled away a lazy afternoon under the sun, sky and snow-capped peak.

  

Tearing ourselves away from the incredible beauty of Moraine Lake was not easy but beautiful Banff was calling!

Sharon & Sharyn's Great Canadian Adventure - Vancouver to Jasper

(By Sharyn and Sharon)

Our cruise ship from Alaska arrived in Vancouver Harbor early one June morning this summer.  The welcoming vista was a thin line of clouds hanging just above the horizon giving this Terminal City a sleepy look.  But sleepy is not what this beautiful city is about as we were soon to see firsthand.   

First order of business was checking into our hotel (do any hotels allow you to settle in early at 10 a.m.?)  Thankfully the Blue Horizon Hotel was a “find.”  This centrally located, privately-owned hotel is definitely competition for the big chains by providing larger rooms, fabulous views of the Strait of Georgia as well as our coveted free in-room WiFi.  It is located on Robson Street, the main downtown shopping street, making it easy for us to check off items on our "Gifts Purchased Lists" and then enjoy the gourmet coffee in the terrific restaurant downstairs. 

Then: time to be tourists!  The bus stop for several tourist attractions was just across the street so off we went on the Vancouver Trolley - and the next day the free bus to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. 

 

Capilano Suspension Bridge
 

Skywalk at Capilano

But today, Sharon was especially keen on visiting Stanley Park – and it did not disappoint.  Towering redwoods, the Lost Lagoon and Nature House, trains, totem poles, beaches and trails make it known around the globe as one of the world’s greatest parks.

Sharyn especially enjoyed the exquisite Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden and colorful Gastown (a mixture of trendy stores and eateries alongside souls who appeared stuck in the 60’s).                                                                                       

Gastown

 

  

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden
 

                             

 

The next day called for visiting the picturesque town of Victoria and the stunning Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island.  In the afternoon the awesome Capilano Suspension Bridge beckoned us.  Even many faint of heart found this wonder irresistible and ventured across the span over rushing water and incredible forest.



Suspension Bridge
 

These next pictures are of the beautiful Butchart Gardens

 



Sharon and Sharyn

A half day at Grouse Mountain via the sky tram was another “must” we had to check off before departing Vancouver.  In one show birds of prey flew over the crowds to rejoin their trainers who provided fascinating lessons about each bird.  Grizzly bears also roamed in a natural habitat – including one playing in a large pond grabbing his toes!

 
Tomorrow we are off to Jasper!