Baladi Shawarma

Back in Calgary, we grabbed lunch at Baladi Shawarma, located at 104-65 Sage Hill Plaza NW. It was actually pretty good for a strip-mall fast-food place.

Donair Platter--$13.95.  Platters include rice, garlic potatoes (which were delicious), hummus (just okay), salad and pita bread. I was not a fan of the rice. I'm a purist and I don't like peas and peppers in my rice.

Mix (Chicken & Beef) Shawarma Platter--$14.95.

2019 06 22

Wildlife Sightings

It's inevitable that you'll see some wildlife in the Canadian Rockies. Whenever you see cars parked on the side of the road, you can be sure there's something to see.

Black bear we encountered on the way to Maligne Lake. Black bears have no shoulder hump, small head and tall ears.

Bald eagle's nest (but no eagles) at Medicine Lake.

This black bear took a dump in the middle of the road then took its time getting off the road.

It was a good sized bear.

I thought this was a chipmunk but it turned out to be a ground squirrel. Ground squirrels don't have stripes on their heads.

Grizzly bear near Sunwapta Falls. Grizzly bears have a shoulder hump, large head and short rounded ears.

Finally saw some elk on the way to Banff Upper Hot Springs.

I really wanted to see a moose and went to Moose Lake. Alas, the only moose I saw was on the signboard.

2019 06

Two Jack Main Campground

The Two Jack Main Campground is 14 minutes from the town of Banff. There is also Two Jack Lakeside which is next to Two Jack Lake. Both have flush toilets. Lakeside has showers but no dump station whereas Main has no showers but a dump station. Neither have electricity.

Site 33C is surrounded by trees.

2019 06 21

Banff Upper Hot Springs

Back in Banff, the Banff Upper Hot Springs is open from 9 am to 11 pm May 17 to Oct 14. Shorter hours the rest of the year. Closed for maintenance Oct 15-27. Admission is CAD 8.30 for adults.

Park in the parking lot then walk a short distance to the hot springs.

Historic entrance. Lockers and showers are available. If you need a swimsuit or towel, you can rent them.

The pool itself is not as atmospheric as at Miette but the soak in 104 degree water is still great.

2019 06 21

Johnston Canyon

At Johnston Canyon, there is a 2.5 km easy one-way trail to the Upper Falls. There is a 120 m elevation gain and it takes about 2 hours roundtrip.

Walkways along the canyon.

Lower Falls.

You can enter a tunnel and come out at the edge of the falls.

The Upper Falls.

2019 06 21

Lake Agnes Teahouse

On the return trip from the Plain of Six Glaciers, stay high and continue onto the Lake Agnes Trail.

You'll get a bird's-eye view of Lake Louise

and the Chateau Lake Louise.

The trail has some steps to make the ascent to the Lake Agnes Teahouse easier.

Lake Agnes

The Lake Agnes Teahouse serves tea, snacks and sandwiches. It's cash only.

Mirror Lake. I thought Lake Agnes provided more of a mirror.

2019 06 21

Plain of the Six Glaciers

At the end of the Lakeshore trail, you can continue onto the Plain of the Six Glaciers trail.

This is a moderate 5.3 km, 365 m elevation gain that takes about 2 hours one way.

The trail was a little treacherous because of the recent rain.

There is a rest area near the teahouse on the trail. We were able to see icefalls from this rest stop.

From the rest stop, we continued to the end of the trail to find more glaciers.

Back at the teahouse, stop and have a cup of tea, a snack or even lunch.

2019 06 21

Lake Louise Lakeshore Trail

The easy Lake Louise Lakeshore trail starts at the parking lot. 

It's 2 km long and follows the northern edge of the lake.

You'll get nice views of the Chateau Lake Louise

and snow-covered mountains.

At the end of the lake, you'll find the milky creek that feeds the lake.

2019 06 21

Chateau Lake Louise & the Alpine Social

The Lake Louise parking lot fills up by 8 am in the summer. It's a 10-minute drive from the Lake Louise Campground. My husband woke up at 7 am, got in the driver's seat and drove to the parking lot. We then slept a little longer. It was the benefit of having a camper van.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is right next to the public parking lot.

The hotel is grand.

I wanted to have breakfast in the Poppy Brasserie, which has a great view of the lake. Since we weren't staying at the hotel, we were turned away. The Alpine Social offered the same breakfast but didn't have the view.

The buffet breakfast is CAD34 and is served from 6:30-11 am.

Eggs benedict were pre-made but you could get a made-to-order omelette.

Oatmeal with dried fruit and nuts, smoked salmon, prosciutto, fruit, eggs benedict, bacon and sausage for breakfast. There was also a table of baked goods, including muffins and croissants.

2019 06 21