Today is a day off in Banff to spend at our leisure. A couple of us take a little cruise on Lake Minnewanka.
It is a bit out of town and we have to take a taxi to get there and back, but splitting the fare makes it quite bearable.
Minnewanka is a man made lake. The water level is still fairly low as not all the snow has melted yet. On one side of the lake the pine forest is very dense. This dates back to the time when National Parks were first established and every little fire was immediately put out. The trees grew so thick that there was no light left down low for anything else to grow.
On the other side, a control burn got out of hand and the hills along the entire length of the lake were burnt. This is now the much healthier side, as lots of other species now had a chance to grow again. There are lots of shivering aspen and also buffalo berries which are the bear's main staple.
This picture here reminds me of an etching I once did of Lake Brienz.
The wall of the dam. The road goes over it and back into town, just another picturesque route.
On the way back to town we pass Two Jack Lake and get a good view of Cascade Mountain.
Cascade Mountain is a mountain located in the Bow River Valley of Banff National Park, adjacent to the town of Banff. The mountain was named in 1858 by James Hector after the waterfall or cascade on the southern flanks of the peak. Wikipedia
Back in town, we have some lunch and get some bits and pieces in a shopping mall.
A novel way to indicate where the respective washrooms are.
Somewhere in the middle of town you can watch the billy boil.
By mid afternoon, the weather has turned cold and windy. I'm glad I have just invested in a swimsuit. I go and christen it in the Hotel's spa pool to warm up the weary bones.
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