Day Whatever: Of Bears, Lakes, and Hot Chocolate (With a Side of Brandy Memories)
Today’s adventure was a tour to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It had everything: rain, cold, wind, potential snow flurries, and tourist-level bear drama.
So, we're cruising down the highway when someone yells, "Bear!" Naturally, we all press our faces to the windows like kids at a zoo. I saw one bear. Someone else swears there were two. It was about 75 yards away, and everyone was pretty excited.
But me? I was like, “Eh.” Because I saw a friggin’ bear on Tuesday. Not just from a bus window—no, no. This bear was eating berries off a tree, minding its own business until it decided to take a casual stroll toward my car, passed right by me like I wasn’t even worth sniffing. That, my friends, is how you see a bear. And if I haven’t mentioned it yet: I SAW A FRIGGIN’ BEAR!
Anyway…
Despite the less-than-tropical forecast, I layered up, slapped on a hat, and embraced the cold. Snow in July? Sure, why not. Moraine Lake was stunning, even though it was cloaked in clouds. We climbed the Rockpile Trail and got a group photo, lots of fun there were lots of rocks to climb, hence the name. My knee’s really been struggling on this trip—I definitely haven’t gone easy on it.
Lake Louise came next, and by then it was officially hot chocolate o’clock. The cold triggered a deep memory of freezing at Giants Stadium, sipping hot chocolate... and pouring in a little blackberry brandy for warmth (allegedly). But I digress, that is a story for another time.
After that, we visited Vermilion Lakes—very pretty, but let’s be honest, it’s hard to shine next to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Emerald Lake still holds the crown in my book.
Next stop: Banff. We wandered the town, and I grabbed some very forgettable pizza. But then I stumbled into an art gallery that completely redeemed the stop. The artist, Jeff Walker, creates breathtaking photo-art pieces. Not sure if he just enhances photos digitally or goes full Wyland and paints over them, but either way, they were beautiful.
Our guide pointed out fresh snow on the mountaintops, which was so unbelievable, snow in July feels illegal.
On the way back, we hit Two Jack Lake (pretty, but again, not Emerald Lake pretty), then ended at Lake Minnewanka where—get this—people were swimming. In the water. In actual July snow weather. I’ve seen some wild things on this trip, but that one’s going in the record books.
The group on the tour was great—folks from all over: Toronto, Australia, Japan, Sarasota, France, and one mystery man of unknown origin. It was a solid crew, and after lunch, the sun even made a surprise cameo! It warmed up to the 50s, which at this point felt borderline tropical.
Now I'm nearing the end of the exciting part of my trip. Tomorrow, it’s off to Minot, North Dakota (say it with me: “Why not, Minot?”). Then a couple of days in Minnesota with my buddy Dale, then Cincinnati, Chattanooga to visit with other good friends., and finally—who knows.
Still waiting to see when I’ll get my car back. Could be ready by the 21st. Fingers crossed. It’s either that, shell out $700 for a flight from Tallahassee, spend time driving it back from idaho, hotels, gas, etc., or try to have it transported. Decisions, decisions...
One day at a time. Let's see what happens.
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