Beautiful One Day Perfect The Next

Greetings from Lake Louise! 

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Where to begin? I have been 'quiet' as internet access is not easy in this 'wifi' world we live in.  But I am now in the Business Centre in Chateau Lake Louise using unlimited free internet as I joined the "President's Club" for nothing! 

When I left off we were in Victoria.  That night ended with a post dinner harbourside sunset wander with pink sky and a setting moon in front of a backdrop of our first snow capped mountains!  You wouldn't have thought it could get any better.  But we were wrong.

In sunshine we crossed back to the mainland and arrived in Whistler under blue skies. The next morning we were a little disappointed to see there was low cloud obscuring the view of the peaks but undeterred we scaled and were not disappointed.  You can sure understand why Australian skiers are unsatisfied with our slopes after being here.

We headed further into the Rockies and the next few days have been crammed with stunning scenery at every turn under perfect blue skies.  Lakes, snow capped mountains and glaciers everywhere you look with the occasional bear sighting for good measure.  We lunched at the foot of the highest mountain of the Rockies (Mount Robson) on Wednesday and our driver commented it was the best conditions all year.  A comment we keep hearing from the locals about the recent arrival of summer.

Just some of the spectacular views

Mount Robson

Jasper has been a particular highlight.  Again beautiful weather greeted us and our Fairmont Lodge lakeside accommodation did not disappoint.  Friday was spent on a morning lake cruise (Maligne Lake to Spirit Is for those of you who have been to these parts), a walk around our lake (40 min) which I did twice as Lisa had a sleep and  a Harley ride for an hour into the mountains.  All of this under perfect summer skies!  We are feeling very blessed.

Maligne Lake

Our lake at the Fairmont Lodge Resort

The journey to Lake Louise along the Icefields Parkway was breathtaking!  Didn't know which side of the bus to look out!  All the stops are perfectly chosen for best vistas for oohing and aahing and taking pictures.

Athabasca Falls

Just a taste of Icefields Parkway

Walking on the Athabasca Glacier

Lake Peyto

Bow Lake

Lake Louise itself - what can I say.  Probably the only place I had any expectations of and it has surpassed all.  The weather, the lake view room, the grandeur of the hotel itself!  We discussed our concern this morning that we may have peaked too early in our holiday experiences.  How could we top this?

Our room in the Lake Louise Fairmont

Lake Louise from gondola

On a practical note yes the weather has been perfect, cool mornings and evenings but sun filled days around 25 degrees.  Accommodation is a far cry from what we use to stay in years ago - such disappointed if there are no bathrobes!  Mostly because I'm enjoying the novelty of them fitting which they never use to!  On that note - The food - Oh dear!!!  Most of you would appreciate I was concerned about how my Liteneasy 18 months would cope with this type of travel.  There is so much to choose from that it is often actually easier to have nothing than choose! The cost of the tour includes some dinners which have all been real experiences.  I have felt like I was on Masterchef!  Even had Green Eggs and Ham for entree the other night which Masterchef watchers will remember being cooked this year.  Every plate is a work of art and each restaurant would have 'hats' if in Australia I'm sure!  The Fairview dining room here last night was an extraordinary experience!  I could get use to this!!!

On the up side I am making lots of good choices and we are doing lots of walking.  No gym yet - no time!!! But every time the bus stops and others eat I walk and 20,000 steps have been achieved on several days and not far off that most others.  Had one and a half drinks in the first week!!!! so that is helping too.  So at this stage... yes my clothes still fit!!!

I have bored you enough! There is such a variety of people who will read this - some with the time to read, others with the joy of reliving their own experiences and others who just want to see if I'm still alive!  Read what you will - there will be no test when I return!

My apologies to those of you who, like me, eagerly read Maria's (my niece) recent Grand Trip.  As I discussed with her before I left, this blog would not be nearly as entertaining thanks to her travelling companion (no offense Lisa!)  but at least I'm quite confident she wont die in her sleep!