I've learned that everyone wants
to be on top of the mountain,
but all the happiness and growth
occurs while you're climbing it.
This day has been a real gift - we woke up to beautiful sunshine this morning and it was gorgeous all day. Patti went on some gondola rides while Ray and I hiked. I'll share a few pictures from yesterday and today.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gEj5VdckgcWvg8AbalklrJIBMoBnJw4nflRoBdoAY0vkp96uS7MAz8MrQC748sJ_91XYPn1oTy8b8J_-UfZVwecjy4CPWepGj3tpWjTgJE52LqMQXSTYYyHGeOVCDFI_dgSxTM-i3Uc/s400/IMG_1299.gif) |
Patti and I unknowingly ended up with the same shirt so we both wore them yesterday. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2RLRO4tx5LaayXrwmUVvlwEBmItjUtJWcFf8TP1-lOIoHXTc7id-peej0PEHopyw-pWVzsi7EHR8BWkoS4lFsPBEkQyO5iS4VNrUrvELtFVFYMGchP7wc1ZpmIn2ztT2wrgCVKXBlues/s400/IMG_1409.gif) |
Beautiful Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada The turquoise water is gorgeous. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjVQLFbdLJl53IK1T8aoChm9O61Jl85yBjnv8WbBM7gc8mpNKQ5m5q6_q5DDEi10txoy96IDQLUNh2ixJOlor4il4LKvi6Ey3WRkICapz5z4eiozFdruUuA8rdbKwMfD_42kByUHxSP0/s400/IMG_1427.gif) |
I thought it was cool; Ray thought the temps were great. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-03nOJ-wntE-GQIAqHN6KkZteIIp9DEUC0QmhNIw-sb8f987CRVLxXX6fwoZovtEmFX5_fbmEO_fI5GJ-RSr7WolIqnITvS3Hjz12eOmKUAI7O2kqtd45BM0vQO_2gS0Tu_77cRiq54/s400/IMG_1432.gif) |
A panoramic view of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise from the lake side. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-aaO-0JbGPDqWHt20EgfQa9mU0-Hc7O_ikMeFk27Qqe7saVvWV8DnOEvODLn4lsc94xWXUi8w2mPQpQOvKV3yEusexALf0rSqOKSfCYvQOK71ppIk_XEic6T6TKuX6YaCS_71rTyITc/s400/IMG_1457.gif) |
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park The lake is extremely low and that is still ice on the lake. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHplVHtu3Gon3mNN_f4P1qiKDc8ISegJOhjP6X4q-eAZxwPA-dCfDE9bFFt8kI7J5lPlq3gQGz-gErr92Esn650SATQqqccLDGbtM_B03XEpQRmvM8Tnq73-u50hEdJ7eKe9XMfnfKjUs/s400/IMG_1302.gif) |
Entrance to the Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park When possible, we've been driving this instead of the the Trans-Canada Highway because it is very scenic and there are places to pull off the road. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbNKo53KkCAZwCOHdyzwc6VCwNk-EWwyDpPKOWcVigmQwPOqKxZmO5vjjNV5Ca4l42gRmi9wStolNrQKsKEz8d_WmKzwvr2RXRo4FqSZUubqmotf0xiKIaPDeI5IrLA9ZGHpvt0Q53Fo/s400/IMG_1552.gif) |
Just after sunrise this morning from our balcony |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXiRt2WcOagnOB8kDEuCqMHV_oUXhJNqMcPBjunT1Nq-OF1L6vOxAw-kG4BkBz469rshA0YJ6HibC3Lk0Sj-hYW2HzYqj9c6gIIeJQWa9R4kbnR78wUkM29QY8fVGDnXf2WBLWkIzj1E/s400/IMG_1556.gif) |
Banff National Park scenery |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3li3gMovX5x-t1cPBvK88uEHenU64oEhyK5AzSYIfVJo06YlKXwooI5iygOtDvTv2MSXViiPM4RARN6oP2K37QF3htpxq0undcXwcSlGKLIOIrmykB2vHJN-2LMy3cSJs9A0pdg4Bos/s400/IMG_1558.gif) |
Banff National Park scenery |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-FCrAk9VrsduaVT1c6wFNIKq4smpUYB-GtACsiDYWi9B0_T0z24wiu_8efsXSRXq08XHnC4_onWdKqZnpRl1X-GlynMpbAv9rfiWV71aHpNKi7M1eTv4H1EVG4OpUtdQklA-85maVvU/s400/IMG_1564.gif) |
Near Norquay Ski Area One of the most relaxing places I have ever found! Later in the day, we got to sit in those chairs and could have stayed for hours. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I0qSx1DFIYv_6J2btO0or_yQB5GkIpsWj6yrM2Ev3r16fKZmKugL4sz_2I7fcwUEmNuYEtXudQW6f1M1VgDXUdClT3Up7AHmOc2ympRajmr_9savmlAg89nozaHvkuo23lEFEvmvgb8/s400/IMG_1569.gif) |
View from the chairs above. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicFqZXuX4lzYi8sU4l7vOsW9Q5WdafSCBW0zpo7usls_w5D50oH58K77WyZFpNfMf1X3MbesuHxiTdAaBr26m31q5Cps3pXp-Xf52SLVzsyOokKuI4geQOyU-7tfVhpN3Hh8ziWGwPHyU/s400/IMG_1575.gif) |
Taken close to the red chairs It was a little windy! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIT1aKO9fhllJgpC7_cQRh_H2f8maHr2HvIEPwgIbYcqvKpcBgwwe7XVeuR16_sQLOo_jlYVI82Zd3ubhyphenhyphenGe7WSlb3jUeYasQbcXqq_bP8KhsDcwi-p34xHJsbjeuJqjeAYVEcqcF-yM/s400/IMG_1577.gif) |
Same red chairs near Norquay Ski Area |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd8F-EP1uDyvlz4Uhe2ow90fN7vFHqedv89i085SvOjT9qNYG0vLe4IAw4TkACMFW-kwBuTR-FiDeKLoVaq7QHNw0pxMnRypm40z5xHJckC_f-csc6LtJQKd7COHbxaAOXNRFn0PCKZJE/s400/IMG_1578.gif) |
Banff National Park scenery |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjrYFZiaBz2p8vidLAz5qFuvGyUHjDQe3scmidDkwkkEmDQatIZUv2iKoWT7WY6wBbgdiHbaWKATFFTOznkZyrCzteYkXGyFQFyiA_M31577Ri8SVEssbbvcc5wifX-AOx6OhyphenhyphenxkfGqw/s400/IMG_1592.gif) |
Banff National Park scenery |
By such a river it is impossible to believe that one will ever be tired or old. Every sense applauds it - The Sound of Mountain Water, Wallace Stegner (read on sign near entrance of Johnston Canyon)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnpsqhoa7Ysv9bDtW4F9HRwLYFQvDDvsf704IQUv_KsFGXXvYgRBko4TfdE1ZKPogA2GnMOGKM6e-uF4HQ-TCu2U1-5X_GeHxjFSqiJD4R-l7NaLYwSouBtk0GloBnrw_MBdklZEYtFAY/s400/IMG_1598.gif) |
Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4typVe0UPrGDpLGJXV1K3FDquoa-lBKs7952NBLYP3il0uQ4cxnX4ybys6zO6LkNXpqvVr5pf0f208cPm-Z3m8d_EbJwi1tBC-8-EDZ4m2-DoqGD7YmC28MM1PdAY2_o4lzqdeLAJbA/s400/IMG_1602.gif) |
Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park I really did not enjoy the catwalks! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOClrO9pBpV1C2qFe2hq057r6i1ZluBIlrL_XnKuPvB-GnQbnnwgvdZQv6C2MMSHdAOnaZDxk55OcGdjR_kHv02ijtndKYmRX7DJAagNs8_QtMRD1yPer42hp5-tHERnf0e0fok3NMZs/s400/IMG_1613.gif) |
Lower Falls in Johnston Canyon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_2lR-0LSsslAz2DBTK7t9IMb96E4PWWVwJIPPzAD2bHnnY8deHl2kbudO6tsN1hPG-GS0tiiaesnABZBWZEKNpKu8uvXtjQXzNNJhwKIeLck4fkigio-_m0jS3McMCtl2hzEtcR4OC4/s400/IMG_1616.gif) |
Can you see the rainbow? Blue arrow is pointing at it. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_bt0HAd1m3LSxwnrYs8KLHdz9LTRc4Xragf8xJ-jOnscAQPeSIYDJMCAL5dLij7om_ZiyHaXOJ5yRzyPIykNrh7QoeALDbPWIFMSONV0KejaFuGEsSFxEU1LDSu9HGLc3BcllbCCVFI/s400/IMG_1617.gif) |
Cave at Lower Falls |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVme0YsxTXi6SWmQsJkIroop2QLUN3dE7mwrA1hqehtCRKcVYGxP7PwH5Hx0-lOILABRteKwiL7hmY2Q5rWCNytVix3BnAZlw-K4V6iUwCxTGw-kxG6BBVdv6D6UFG1nkMKKYaTZgCN4/s400/IMG_1618.gif) |
View after going through the cave. We got VERY wet from the spray. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBUsYo8QT3pjyBkUDFRE0jFgbnHHGZDwbcxRL_Z3j0JydhHdIdavPVurYkpKS9jvg5PH5vRAyY7KXQ7Auc-DTssuyEVDDFuuGMbvspQBgaBuLeqO-vg_oPBuuz8_Z7bDp3h69chbCFV6Q/s400/IMG_1635.gif) |
Upper Falls in Johnston Canyon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZclXKj0J5sZulLmYGR9VesSpYeyJlQ6VDzx8dh_VO52mKe5l7QVyiDyj1f48u7_7AiWxs9bJmC6tbnz_5pOojJF8KpbTSDPSKF1HfkQXdbGDrpGBtrv4I1G28UDPmfCxh_jdajjpBNY/s400/IMG_1650.gif) |
Us with wet hair near one of the 'minor' waterfalls in Johnston Canyon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHON1eWZfmcBukJGbtxwt8ZlSrelIuf_0j0SURioWQxnyBOKAmfoHA6x9ipavkffDcrbXWgIJ3g2hB_CBuxGo9DX0NJpUu_nX7S8Beiq9YNYQSpGDaVUmWYZWxEWfx7xr8kQPKG2GNk4/s400/IMG_1655.gif) |
Beautiful tall trees in Johnston Canyon |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_b-kOagfENMYwMOvRHl66WndB1UT4C1TEALdwDKbyFyK6yuXTdYVJ3Nk2-wwgw4K_Ww4JgXYnGl92i9-CuzPIbUC-XBqIUHUqNQJITUcqLSmf432XlMRsmdc6czddnTeLl1IBmxfbJVE/s400/IMG_1670.gif) |
We hiked down to Pilot Pond at a pull off on Bow Valley Parkway |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8D8QOaQ20XgdfbVULoxn05LVNPKAZ8GvmbuIMAA2H4_v8dRzfe9CTUh3-twFIXxpI5KXLbw2u4qIZPByldaZJDs7Ub9bi7XbHGa6iqAvId4O30kJ2ovqdUCPnmfuyma5IMBcyFDAhJPo/s400/IMG_1680.gif) |
The Vermillion Lakes, Banff National Park |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uF6pIT8dHrgl5JYDbB53gmanwqkfz8IcbMlb3_n25S0-qzo0yd4KlSdwhK3W9JNXk6LJ_dDY5YpK8Y0y_wwQeSdwQg4ulUqKjKtWsY2bzKr6M9MY0UWGkESeiCOhGUvSCdWUxirPDVQ/s400/IMG_1691.gif) |
A full moon rising - moon it is above the rightmost mountain peak. Taken from our balcony. |