Tea

31 August 2014   Lake Agnes Tea House

I am not a tea lover. I would not cross the street for a cup of tea. Perhaps it was the altitude (we were staying in the Lake Louise Campground which is at an elevation of 5033’ above seal level) that blurred our reasoning. Whatever – we decided to slip up to Lake Agnes for a beverage.

Lake Louise. Many trails start here.

 Not real far.

Just 3.8k each way. 4.72 miles return for us Luddites. Yes there is a bit of a slope – 1325’ up to the Tea House at 7005’ from Lake Louise.

We did some learning; there are no flat parts, the air is thinner, we are not 25, going up hurts more than going down, going down is faster. But, oh the views!

Lake Louise. Yes it looks like this for real. Because of the "rock flour". Google it.

 

OK – time for the “we really were there” photos. At least they’re in a group. No points lost for skipping this.

The Beehive. No not her hair - the rock behind.

Steam off my head or low lying cloud?

 

"Stop taking pictures - I want my tea"

 No power or running water up here. All the ingredients are brought up on horseback or peopleback except propane and water which are flown in by helicopter.

Lake Agnes

The outlet from Lake Agnes takes an abrupt path. You will not want to follow the water.

Kitchen is simple and bustling. If you think your kitchen has flaws look at the following pictures. Hands are the machines.

Of course we had tea and scones. Gave the old people (us) tasteful pats on the back. Noted there were a quite a few patrons who had taken the horseback option to get here. Horses had left many fresh clues on the mixed (hiker and horse) portions of the trail.

No clues here. Just another trail shot

Got back down and did a 1 km stroll to the end of Lake Louise then back to the hotel. Lake Louise pictures next entry.

Ice

27 August 2014   Athabasca Glacier

By now you know that I take special pains to avoid ice unless it’s neutralized by bourbon.

So climbing up to a big chunk of it without Jack Daniels seemed foolhardy.

On the way we got to see some ads by the IPCC (the climate hockey stick folks). Apparently they discovered that ice melts and we should be informed.

Over and over.

Personally I don’t think of this as a loss of ice. More like renewed views of land we haven’t seen for a while. Should somebody tell the IPCC people that the land was there before the ice?

It was cold close to the ice. This is my best fake smile when cold. Just before the sleet storm and more dropping temperatures.

Fake smile

Real smile

No sleet pictures – you might find that disturbing.

Ice stuff is over – let’s get back to the car.

I’m very fond of some see through things….

27 August 2014   Glacier Skywalk

But my instincts tell me that bridges (especially those leading nowhere) should be opaque. As in wood or steel or concrete.

Cathy and Larry suggested we give the Skywalk a try and they were right – this was very entertaining.

Yes I did look down past my feet into the chasm below. And posed in a manly way.

Why yes you could plummet to your death if this stuff breaks.

This is my casual brave look.

And got the hell off it before making any little girly sounds. Said I needed to get some reference shots. Norene took it in stride. She doesn’t like heights when in the car but it seemed like she would never get off this death trap.

She's in blue left of centre. "Why are you still out there?"

So we all survived the Skywalk (and the bus ride from the parking area and back) and nonchalantly moseyed back to the car.

This could be a promo shot. No need to scare us. Yet.

Seemed quieter in the car after.

Alberta preconceptions get zapped

4 – 30 August 2014 We enter the lowlands and exit the highlands

Must admit my first thoughts of Alberta usually include oil and cowboy boots with a sprinkling of livestock and grain. There’s lots of all of this but the spectacular bits are on the western edge.

We were lucky enough to be able to visit with both family and friends in Edmonton Leduc and Lacombe. Those quiet highlights will be told but first I have to work a few photos of Banff and Jasper National Parks features into a wobbly little narrative. So unless otherwise advised you can assume the following takes place in the National Parks.

Icefields Parkway 27 August 2014

Travel east from Rocky Mountain House on Highway 11 and hang a right on the Icefields Parkway. You will be the only short object.

Looking south from a climbing traverse

Glacial runoff getting organized and heading south

Great road, wonderful drop-offs with a view for miles (OK maybe she who is not a big fan of drop-offs would argue the use of the word “wonderful”).

OK Norene you can look out the window now - we're at the bottom

Tangle Creek getting an elevation adjustment

If you have time to look at even more photos click here for a short slideshow.

At Larry and Cathy’s suggestion and in their company we headed north to Sunwapta Falls. Really scenic – especially the part where I got past the safety fence for close-ups. Got yelled at. Told her I was sorry (sort of). You know who her was.

Looks like this:

And this 

 And this

OK this is the flat part after the falls

There are  more pictures. Slideshow? Yep.

And on the way back we stopped to take a walk out in thin air at the Glacier Skywalk. I expect this episode has tuckered you out so go take a nap and I’ll tell you about the Skywalk adventure in the next entry. Wait a second – are you already napping?

Mint Condition

28 July 2014       Hard pressed in Winnipeg

 

The Mint in Winnipeg produces coins and medallions. As in Loonies, Toonies, and similar plus foreign currency and things like Olympic Medals. None of the big value paper stuff but still interesting. No samples. No photos (except in the reception/sales counter area).

The Mint serves 70+ countries. All of their flags are here. Yes, I know the picture should have been wider.

 Interesting tour of non-sensitive areas. Didn’t get to take a whack at producing a gold coin or two. Security was present but not massive. Not a huge worry about outsiders since the majority of production is in heavy low value stuff that you would need a tractor trailer of to pay for the getaway fuel.

Olympic Medals

Just over her right shoulder is a "No photo" symbol. Didn't see it until later. Still free.

Fortunately my photos are of such poor quality that they are completely useless to the bad guys.

You could argue the point if you want to be nice.