Plain of Six Glaciers September 19, 2018

A friend once said to me a couple of years ago "You should live at Lake Louise!"  He said that to me in the Village Parking Lot one early morning in the middle of winter when we ran into each other.  It feels like I have been living here this past little while!  The forecasters stated it was going to be splendid in the Lake Louise part of our mountain playground.  I have been urning to be amongst a dusting of snow and I knew I would find it along the Plain of Six Glaciers Trail.

When I arrived at the head of Lake Louise the fog lifted and the clouds were parting.  

My favourite part of this Lake on a day like this is at the far end.  I planned to make my way there quickly but I failed at that.  The scenery was too gorgeous and I stopped every couple of minutes to admire it.  It's images like this that I like as you approach the back side.

 crossing the wooden bridge towards glaciers galore

I met a few people along the way that I shared conversations with and hiked short distances with.  Visiting this world famous location was a first for them and they were in awe.  I felt proud!  I was thankful the weather was wonderful for them.  We followed the trail that hugs the cliff band and were excited for what was around every corner.  

 I love puddles!  

 This is the first wide open view of Lake Louise and The Chateau far off down below.  

I stopped at the Tea House location just long enough to capture a photo.  A couple and myself took turns taking each others photos and then we carried on along the trail out towards the next viewpoint.

 It's out here where you get to feel up close and personal with the glaciers.

I picked this as my destination and dining spot.  There were nice flat cleared rocks to settle down on. A couple of couples shared the area with me and once again we took turns taking each others photos. I did not bring sunscreen with me, big mistake.  It was bright, it was hot, it looked like winter but felt like summer.

 There was not even an inkling of a breeze up here today!

The sun was melting the snow and within a matter of about thirty minutes it became snowman snow. I tried my luck with building a snowman before dining with no luck but after dining success was in the making.  He received lots of admiration!

Along the descent, many more were just ascending, short-sleeved and some in shorts.  I carried on non stop until I got down to lake level.  At that point I took many stops again for photo opportunities.

 as pretty as can be

Numerous people were out exploring the back side of Lake Louise and I joined them.  There were even canoeists docked and just lounging in their canoes in the sun.  How could today be more perfect for them and for me?

It was time for me to get back on the trail and cover the last couple of kilometers back to The Chateau.  I see it was time too for some canoeists to paddle their way back to return their rentals.  The colors today were wonderful as was the weather.  The new snow made the views that much more picturesque.  It seemed every view today was frame worthy!

Prairie Mountain September 17, 2018

I am beginning to realize how much I now enjoy Sunday evenings!  It's a whole new ball game now, after dinner is done and clean up has taken place.  I can sigh, I can relax, I can do absolutely nothing and still be fully ready for Monday.  I can wake Monday mornings and decide what I would like my day to look like.   The only thing I did know about today beforehand was that I wanted to be out there some where!  Last minute decisions mean I will be soloing so I wanted safe surroundings.  Introduce Prairie Mountain into my day, one is never alone there.  Weather reports said fog and cloud out that way which would lift mid morning.  I knew from experience this could mean a spectacle!     

The spectacle I expected transpired!

I was not first at the lot even though I was on the early side for a Monday.  Others were already out there, up there, some where.  A local lady pulled up beside me, she was soloing also.  We soloed separately.  This time I kept my head down watching my foot placement as it was somewhat slippery and muddy in sections.  I pushed up on onward covering ground at a better pace than usual for me. I was on a mission, I wanted to reach the opening to witness that spectacle.  As the sun worked its way through the fog & cloud, the snow began to fall off the trees onto me.

I reached the first opening!

Voila!  It appeared as I hoped it would!

higher up to where it was more opened up

Through the trees and out in the open, the view was grand.  

The wind was whirling, clearing the clouds and fog quickly.  

As I passed a soloist heading down while I was on my way up, I knew no one would be here declaring ownership.  So I did!  New to me for the summit of Prairie Mountain were the new Canadian flag plus the Alberta flag and the Calgary Flames flag.  I was happy they were all proudly waving!

Then came tea time.  Ever since a Valentine's Hike Celebration back in 2011, I have been trying to accurately pour tea into my cup while it's windy.  To this day I have not been successful nor was I today, although I was a bit more successful that previous attempts.

today's outcome

the white line follows the tea stream

The local lady arrived and we chatted for a while.  She carried a heavy load as she was training for a November backpack trip in Chile.  I admired here!  Her plan for today was an up and down, mine was to linger long.  She left and I went about my summit visit.

The view east shows more hanging clouds.  

wild life sighting for today

Icicles hung in the trees below the summit and I spent quite some time trying to capture a clear drop in action.  No success though then I realized that I would not be able to with the camera setting I was on.  I need to figure out what to do to capture a photo where the icicle and the drop would both be clear.

Back into the trees I moved with a method.  It was very slippery and I wanted to arrive back at my car fully in tack.  It seemed my down trip was slower than my up trip, it wasn't pretty but I got the job done.  I undid the hatch of my hatchback and sat basquing in the sun and savouring the balance of my sandwich and tea.  That was a delightful way to cap off a satisfying morning!

Dinosaur Provincial Park Comfort Camping Sept 13, 2018

When I woke this morning I was so thankful I did not have to pack up and head on home to Calgary.  I was enjoying these living arrangements.  While I love being in the mountains, and near the ocean, I also enjoy hanging out in badlands where there are hoodoos and fossils and lands like no other.  It is also typically nicer and warmer weather-wise. 

Another reason I did not want to have to get out of bed and pack up and head home was because it felt cold and I was too cozy under the blankets.  I reached over and turned my heating unit up from +18C to +25C.  I waited for it to warm up inside and then went about my business.

The cold air called for coffee by a campfire.  There was no spectacular sunrise on this morning.  My neighbours came out and we exchanged good mornings then they began their fire.  They also got their bar-b-que going I guess for a hot breakfast.  I did not bring items for a hot breakfast so made do with my skyr & granola, banana, coffee, grapes and crackers.

I loaded on extra layers and even my gloves for this mornings hike.  I ventured down the Cottonwood Trail this time.  The sky was grey and dismal but the ground cover made up for that with its vibrancy.

grey embraced by color

On this summer morning it felt like fall.  It looked it too.  

I like the sound when my feet swoosh through the fallen leaves.

standing stark in the desert

The Cottonwood Trail meanders amongst the cottonwood trees and the colorful ground cover.  The deer were plentiful and they stared at me as if I was intruding on their territory.  I went about my merry way and let them do their thing.

I followed the full loop and then headed back out to the dirt road.  There was a picnic table at the intersetion which was a perfect spot and perfect timing for a mid-morning snack.

Just up the road was The Trail of the Fossil Hunters and that route was next on my agenda. By now it had warmed up and it was time to shed a couple of layers. I was happy some blue in the sky appeared. 

hoodoos along the trail

There are many areas to scamper and scramble upon.  I took full advantage of those and gave full respect to the signs stating don't go here.  I could see others out amongst the landscape scampering here and there.  I enjoy this time of year here as it is on the quiet side people-wise.  A few folks here and there out here is fine, I would think during peak summer season it would be a challenge to get photos without people in them.

Early afternoon back home meant wine time.  I did not bring a proper wine glass and one was not provided so a plastic tumbler would be suffice. Some reading time was incorporated as was unexpectedly falling asleep.  This badlands exercise and air is so relaxing.

I had one last evening to enjoy sunset time.  

I went out even earlier and stayed longer and covered more territory.  

The clouds were phenomenal and made for a photographers dream.  

I have a 30 second timer on my camera which affords me this kind of photo.  I had a few seconds to spare once I reached my posing spot.  I could see off in the distance people posing on high spots.  It was nice to see that.

something a little different

The sun began to go down and the colors started to change.

Sections on the horizon began to light up.

feeling high up with the clouds

The colors turned incredible.  More people were arriving who were also appreciating this was a special evening out here.  How fortunate were we!  When today began, I was prepared for a dark and dismal day but it turned out being the most colorful day of all!

Here's a bit of final color to close out today.  I had lots of firewood still to use so enjoyed an extended amount of time by the warmth of a long and lingering fire.  I glanced over at my neighbours who were doing the same.  We exchanged smiles.  I sensed we were in the same head space about this place and this experience.

Tonight I wore an extract layer on top in bed and turned the heating unit to +21C.  I pulled all the blankets up to my ears, curled up, closed my eyes and drifted off this time to the sounds of the coyotes howling.  This added to the dinosaur desert experienced.  I smiled!