Day 165: Moraine Lake

Yesterday's cold weather and grey clouds had disappeared overnight, revealing the mountains in their full glory. No messing about, then, and we headed straight for Moraine Lake. It was crazy busy with tourists (I don't count us as tourists ;-) but we took our time, sitting back with a cup of tea before heading up onto the rockpile for the classic view of the lake. And, wow, what a view today! We've been to Moraine Lake a few times, and today was the first time we've had clear skies. Stunning - and Mum and Dad were speechless. We took a walk down to the other end of the lake and sat there for a while, enjoying a different view, one with fewer tourists.

Mountains and glaciers above Moraine Lake

Day 164: Johnston Canyon

Now the holiday really begins :-) How much easier could it be than simply rolling out of bed, grabbing some breakfast and walking out of the front door of the cabin to begin our wanderings up Johnston Canyon. We went as far as the Upper Falls, and despite the early arrival of a couple of coach tours, the canyon didn't feel crowded. A lovely way to start our touring!

Lower Falls in Johnston Canyon

Day 163: Elk

Day 1 of our week of touring in the Rockies with my mum and dad, and the first of many good wildlife sightings. We were driving along the Bow Valley Parkway and slowed down as I saw a handful of cars parked at the roadside. I pulled over and immediately opposite, feeding in the grass, was a large bull elk. Of course we couldn't resist hopping out of the car and joining the other snap-happy tourists for the photo-shoot. Not a bad way to start the tour :-)

Don't get too close...

Day 162: Tea in the snow

Today's photo is of the famous Lake Agnes teahouse near Lake Louise. Our hiking guidebook to the Rockies rates this hike as a "Don't do" on account of its dullness as a hike, popularity and, by Rockies standards, unremarkable location. But there's a but in there too: it's deemed an acceptable hike if you're using it as a way to get somewhere else, or on a rainy day in the shoulder season when there's really nothing else to do. Well, it's not shoulder season but it is a cool rainy day and our curiosity got the better of us. Besides, a hike in the rain with a hot drink at the end is pretty much always welcome.

Sure enough, the hike was unremarkable to the point of being truly unworthy of bothering but at least it was fairly quiet. We came to a point where the trees thinned out and we noticed the rain appeared to be falling more slowly. Err, that's not rain - it's snow! So we continued up to the teahouse in light wet snow. The hot soup and cup of tea were very welcome (if a little on the pricey side...) and for a short time, we were the only people there. The rain even eased off a little, and I captured this photo of Maria and Merewyn outside the teahouse.

More photos from today on Flickr.

Teahouse at Lake Agnes