TGAGA in Banff - Day 4 -Far More Bear-able!

Having learned an important lesson the hard way, I indulged in a weather search for Lake Louise, the Bear's destination for today.  At 5:30 am, the temperature was 5 degrees, C, which I calculate by my lazy man shorthand method to be about 39 degrees, F.  The predicted high was around 58.  I was determined to be prepared for anything!

We were not due to leave until 8:30 am, so, after outfitting myself with what warm clothes I had, I set out for a late breakfast at 7:45, ate sumptuously, and met the other Bears at the appointed time, and we were off, headed west, once again to Lake Louise.  Within half and hour, we were stopped dead on the highway.  Inching ever so slowly forward we eventually discovered the cause of the delay.  A black bear had somehow gotten through the electric fence which parallels the entire highway to keep animals and speeding cars apart, and was making its way, at its own pace, toward an access gate that has been  opened by wildlife officers who were waiting patiently for the miscreant to return to its safe(r) haven.

Canada, at least in these national parks, has gone to get lengths to protect wildlife from harm.  The barrier fences are only part of an effort that includes migratory overpasses and underpasses for roaming critters, and strict laws about human animal interactions, especially feeding.  It seems to be working, at least for one peripatetic bear this morning.

Bearing with this schedule, we arrived at the Lake Louise ski area by 10:00 am, and were treated with an enlightening lecture/program about bears!  Our lecturer introduced herself as someone who has had working relations with bears, wolves and coyotes for most of her adult life.  Without going into detail, I think it is safe to say that she mesmerized our Bear-clan for over and hour with facts and antidotes that greatly expanded my knowledge of a subject I didn't know I was interested in.  A hardly necessary lunch followed (I'd only finished a large breakfast three hours before), and we got in line to ride the ski lift up the mountain for a better view of the area.  Our destination was about half-way up, since the top ski lift was not running in the summer months, but half-way proved to be adequate to our quest for spectacular scenery.  There were hopes of seeing bears on the mountain side.   But the only one we saw was a great distance away and make its appearance while we were still eating our lunch.  We may have seen the same bear, only farther away, on the way down the mountain just before departure.  Everyone seemed to be bearing their disappointment well and without paws (sic) for regrets.

View from Lake Louise Ski Slope toward Lake Louise

Amazing vistas in every direction could not hold us from our next destination which was Moraine Lake.   Our guide said that this was a lake created by an avalanche and was supplied entirely by run-of from the surrounding mountains.  It is a beautiful blue color, again caused by "rock flour," that mysterious substance that made Emerald Lake green.  It all has something to do with light absorbing properties, but the result is truly lovely to behold.  I don't understand the physics of a screwdriver so optics is a complete mystery.  Getting this picture required some stair climbing and a fair amount of huffing and puffing.  I'm sure it's the altitude and not my age and physical condition that is responsible!  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Moraine Lake, near Lake Louise, Alberta

Then it was on to Lake Louise.  That Lake Louise is a tourist mecca is a terrible understatement!  Our guide said that often there are as many as 2,000 people, all standing at the shore line, taking and posing for pictures, or taking numerous selfies which has become the current passion.  We were lucky, we were told.  There were probably only half that many there, today.  So we were still able to find a place to snap a picture or two.  Lake Louise has a long history as a tourist destination and it certainly deserves it.  Many famous people have stayed there and still do.  The present hotel has approximately 500 rooms at around $300 a night, we were told. Too bad that the tourists are the main obstacle to enjoying its palpable serenity and unrivaled beauty.

Lake Louise with its glacial source, Alberta

The program says, "Dinner on your own,"  Some of our number were hungry as bears and were dropped off downtown to sample local restaurant fare.  I returned, gratefully to my room, about which I will comment at a later time.  Dinner for me was at the campus "Bistro."  I had a huge pulled-pork sandwich and a salad with garlic and tahini dressing.  Good company and good conversation with a couple of other bears who showed up to forage at the same time.  It's been a full and entirely bear-able day to remember.  It's time to call it!