#LakeLouise

​After an early start we were picked up by Brewster's tours, a local company that served us well all the holiday, and travelled the short distance to Lake Louise. Our hotel was one of two near the lakeside; the other being a beautiful chateau.

After a quick lunch we walked down to the lake, which proved to be in a outstanding setting with bright blue waters.

We then had a decision to make. Being a holiday weekend the queues for the boats was horrendous. We decided to go for a walk and asked about the best route. There was a short walk around the lake  and a 3.8 kilometre walk up the hill. We decided on the latter.

This started off well and we saw lots of families with small children who were also on the walk. This proved to be deceptive as the walk soon changed into a strenuous uphill climb. The path soon became quite steep in places and quite rocky. Not to be deterred we carried on, especially when we were passed by quite  a few elderly people taking it in their stride.

We were not disappointed by the incredible views and eventually reached the first stop, Mirror lake. After a short break, we continued  upwards until we reached a waterfall and eventually we reached the top where we sat by the stunning Lake Agnes. As we sat a Blue Jay landed next to us and a photographer quietly approached for a picture of it. Just as he went to take a picture, a dog barked and off it flew. He had apparently been trying for two days for a picture.

It was a surreal place because as we sat sunbathing  in the hot sunshine, over on the other side of the lake, a group  of people were having a snowball fight!

A highly recommended walk, if a lot harder than we were led to believe.

On the way down we saw discarded  baby buggies, where families had tried to push them up and then must have decided to try to carry their child and they had abandoned them along the path way to be picked up on their way down.

We tried to warn a young family that pushing a double pram up the path was not advisable. They carried on but we were sure they would soon discover the error of their ways.

Surprisingly, there was a tea-house at the top of the hill but their menu was disappointing. We had a very watery lemon drink and as for spending a penny, we wouldn't have recommended it, unless you had a strong stomach!

I did manage a few quick sketches,, whilst catching a breather, two of these are shown below.