Day 15 - Lake Louise and Banff

Saturday 18th June
We woke up to another beautiful sunny but cold morning. (I think it was -2, feels like -8 first thing!).
We spent some time debating whether to go canoeing on Lake Louise - very expensive, lots of tourists but beautiful, or to drive back to Banff  - less than half the price of Lake Louise and hopefully less tourists.
In the end Banff won.
It was the right decision. We only saw 2 other canoes during our nearly 2 hour trip and although it wasn't Lake Louise it was still spectacularly beautiful.
We have both canoed before so we were soon in the water and heading up the wonderfully named Forty Mile Creek. We saw a duck with her ducklings, a young deer, herons, swallows - nothing we don't see regularly but it was still exciting. We also passed a beaver dam but there was no sign of any beavers.
Vermillion Lake wasn't looking very green today but maybe that was because the sun had gone in as rain was forecast, but it was still amazingly still and clear. The highway went by one side of the lake and people were constantly stopping to take photos - I felt really privileged to actually be on the lake and not just looking at it. 
Swallows swooped around us skimming the surface of the water and herons flew along the edge their necks curled their legs stretched - they are quite ungainly when they land.
Paddling back to the Canoe club we decided to turn up the wider Bow River to see what that was like. We were so pleased we did as about 50 meters along were three grazing elk. Wow - now that was amazing.

Not a bad view when you are walking to get breakfast.

This young deer was very interested in us when we were canoeing.

She followed us along the river, almost leading the way at one time.

Paddling along Forty Mile Creek

If you look carefully you may see some mountains and some trees!

There were Canadian geese sitting on their nests in  the grass by the creek.

Canoeing across Vermillion Lake.

It was so peaceful.

Just sitting, looking and listening.

Back down the creek, going with the current this time. 

By chance we turned into the wider Bow River before heading back.

Three elk.

They finally notice our approach but don't seem that bothered.

I was so busy taking photos I forgot to steer the canoe and we
drifted a bit too near!

I think he was trying to tell us we were too close.

Now the tricky part - getting out!

Look we're members of Banff Canoe Club - how exciting!

After canoeing we went into Banff town centre to do some laundry.
We went into a 'Western' shop - look at these cool cowboy boots!