Day 60 and 61 - Banff National Park, Alberta

Today, September 2, 2010, I posted 2 blogs!

Saturday and Sunday - August 28^th and 29^th

Banff National Park is considered the birthplace of "Canada’s National Park System" It was created in 1885 around the warm mineral springs near the current Banff town site.

The name comes from Banffshire, Scotland, the birthplace of one of the major financiers of the “brand new” Canadian Pacific Railway – circa 1885.

At the time of WW I, Eastern Europeans who had come to work in the Canadian West, were ID’d as enemy aliens and became POWs. They were put to work in the National Parks.

Baff Springs Hotel and the Bow Falls

Bow Falls - view 2

(It rained ALL day)

Since the Trans-Canadian Highway goes right through Banff National Park,

these bridges allow “safe crossing” for wildlife;

only bear, cougar, wolves, elk, deer, moose, and other 4-legged residents can use them.

The Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise

Lake Louise with Wm

(It didn't rain the day we toured the Park - but we woke up to 32-degree F temps.)

Lake Louise (elevation 5680 ft)

is named after Queen Victoria’s 4^th daughter.

Over 100 years ago, Swiss guides were imported to lead parties of tourist-climbers because of the high mountainous terrain.

Moraine Lake

It was still cool at the peak of the day!

A more scenic view of Moraine Lake - it is located in the Valley of Ten Peaks.

This lake, as well as Lake Louise, is glacially-fed.

The blue color is due to the refraction of light off the "rock flour" deposited in the lake on a continual basis from the glacier.

Driftwood-view at Moraine Lake

This interesting camper looks like it was shipped over from Africa.

(see below)

This is the Map on its back!

Takakkaw Falls
Cree for "It is magnificent"

Takakkaw Falls - view 2

(It so reminded me of Yosemite Falls in CA)

Cathedral Mountain

An Elk grazing in a meadow

"Ansel Adams Maercklein" is still at work looking for that Perfect Picture!

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Our 32-degree morning left evidence on the Wildflowers!

Frosty Fireweed

Frosty Red Indian Paintbrush
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Thawed Paintbrush views

Red

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