Today we set off from our base in Canmore, heading up the Bow River Parkway, through Banff and up to Johnston Canyon, for a walk up to the falls. On the way we stop in a layby to take in a view of the Bow River.
The temperatures are rising, into the thirties again, but we are protected from the sun by the steep walls of the canyon, formed by erosion of water, and ice, over many thousands of years. An information board tells us that the canyon was half as deep as it is now when the Egyptians were building the pyramids. The walk is relatively easy on a paved and concrete trail, some of which hangs to the side of the canyon on metal supports. Some sections of the trail become steep and narrow, which causes some congestion with people walking both to and from the falls, and those who stop to take photos. Some sections of the path are cut into the rock, you have to watch your head here.
We are aware that we are nearing the falls, the noise from the crashing water is getting louder. There is a bottleneck of people standing on a bridge over the river, where the falls can now be seen and the water is collecting into an aquamarine blue pool, partially blocked by fallen cedars. There is a fine mist of water droplets in the air.
We cross the bridge and ducking our heads we enter a tunnel. A rush of cold wet air blows in our faces. The falls can now be seen cascading down before us through an opening up ahead. We are about ten feet above the bottom of the falls now, and as we approach the the opening our faces are sprayed with the cold glacial melt water. A very refreshing experience. I am turning my camera all the time, keeping it away from the water.
Retracing our steps to the car park, I notice some very small flowers, twinflowers, hanging on the canyon side. There are other wild flowers here too, including the prolific wild rose; Alberta is know as the Wild Rose State.
We are leaving the car park now. It is now full, and parked cars have spilled out onto the main road outside for about half a mile in either direction. Our next destination is Lake Minnewanka, located near to Banff. This is another glacier fed lake, so the waters are cold, but there are people in the water, and on the water in a variety of craft. This is the only lake in the national park that allows boats with engines. There are aluminium boats with small outboard motors available for hire. I enquire whether my fellow traveller would like to spend an hour floating on the lake. I do not get a positive response. I walk along the side of the lake looking for a picnic table with some shade. I find one and keep guard while my companion returns to the car to fetch the supplies. After lunch we hand over our table to a cyclist, whose family are to arrive shortly. He was sitting on the next bench waiting for us to go, suffering in the heat in his cycling lycra. I go the bin to dispose of the rubbish, and spot a small animal. I am there for some time taking his picture, and waiting patiently for him to come nearer. Some of the time he is scraping away at the top layer of soil, and then laying down and spreading himself out spread-eagled. I imagine this is his way of cooling down. My fellow traveller wonders where I have got to. I meet up with her and we walk over a small hill, where two red Adirondack chairs have been placed by the Canada National Parks Service. There are chairs in a number of the parks in Canada placed in picturesque locations.
We spend more time taking pictures, and then debate whether this is our favourite lake. It probably is for today at least.
Back to Canmore and the hotel, we detour to Banff town centre. I have developed an overwhelming desire to obtain a hat for the Stampede on Saturday. We spotted a Western Outfitter yesterday, so I return to try a few on. I wander around the shop wearing the hats to test the comfort. All the while, unknown to me, the hat size ticket is sticking up at the front, like in the mad hatter’s hat. In my case the ticket says 7¼. I purchase the hat, and have it placed in a bag. I do not yet have the confidence to leave the shop with it on. Back at the hotel I try it on again. My companion exclaims that she thought J R had come back to life.
.Rest now, we have a long day ahead in Calgary and a lot of Stampeding to see.