Mount Robson to Banff

Open the curtains to rain this morning and Mount Robson invisible. 

Breakfast this morning was shared with two Scottish lads and a lad from Humberside. They had sent in their postal vote but didn't want to talk about the referendum (we'll know the result soon- the vote counting is even on the tele here). They gave us some tips for what to do in Vancouver and New Zealand, one of them had worked there for 8 months. Fruit, yogurt and an omelette this morning. 

This miniature cowboy town is in the grounds of the lodge, and our host wore a cowboy hat all the time. As well as their two Jack Russell terriers they were looking after his brother's Wheeton terrier, who insisted on leaning on your leg. 

We wanted an early start as we would lose an hour between British Columbia and Alberta.  The rain did not spoil the drive back as it was interesting watching the clouds drifting over the mountain tops and sides.  

We managed to see some of the things we missed when we travelled up the Icefield Parkway including another 4 waterfalls!  It's OK there are no piccies though.  

We thought there was an exhibition about the glacier formation in the Icefield Centre, but it doesn't open until 2015 - bit of a long time to wait around.  There were two Ravens sitting on top of a car in the car park, they looked really evil.

This was the closest we were to seeing a Royal Eagle. 

Eric thought it was real and was waiting for lift off. 

A switch back a bit like coming over the Bwlch on steroids.

The rain had turned the milky blue rivers the colour of a banana milkshake.

More colour-changing trees.

The sun, the sun.

There were lots more of the wildlife overpasses on Hwy1 between Lake Louise and Banff. This one had more mature trees on.

The bears will teach the cubs to use them, so it will be the norm for the next generation. One fecund female grizzly bear is killed on the roads in Banff National Park every year. Must make a big dent in the car as well. 

Eric in Banff sitting on Bow River bridge. 

Sun had definitly made an appearance by this point. 

Managed to find a restaurant that did both vegetarian food and burgers for dinner.  A ranch burger and goats cheese salad plus a mean fresh squeezed mixed fruit juice, with a dash of ginger later we wander the shops looking at shoes...the hole is now a lot bigger.

Return to accommodation unsuccessful in the shoe department. Washing done - what the world needs is a travel mangle.