Sunday: July 18, 1999

One of the worst sounds imaginable when vacationing far from home is the sound of a ringing telephone. No one ever expects to need any of those numbers listed in itineraries. A phone call can only mean bad news, very bad news indeed. My father's brother-in-law, dear sweet Uncle Tom had suddenly passed away. He too had been vacationing some distance from home. After many phone calls and much discussion regarding our options the decision was made to finish the vacation. However, on this day we obviously got off to a rather late start.

First stop was Lake Minnewanka, where we walked back to Johnston Canyon. While the walk was pleasant enough, its ultimate destination was quite disappointing; merely a dead end at the bank of a tiny spring.

From there, it was off to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. The Chatau de Lake Louise seemed less intimidating than the Banff Springs Hotel, so in we went, just in time for High Tea. What a lovely place. It sported many expensive shops, a genune Canadian mountie (for your picture taking enjoyment) and a German musician who yodeled and played Brahms (at the request of Henry Mancini) on an instrument that looked like a 30 foot pipe.

A mere stone's throw from Lake Louise is Moraine Lake nestled in the Valley of the Ten Sisters. This lesser known tourist attraction was more spectatular than its popular neighbor. It was more rustic, less refined. Even so, a Hagan Daaze ice cream bar still ran $5.50. And the tourists paid.

The day ended with a ride to the weather observatory aboard the Sulfer Mountain Gondola. Nathan thought the ride was cool. The adults were less enthusiastic. But the view was spectacular! Well worth the jitters.

A second evening of eats at the Rose 'n Crown,
Served by a waitress who "didn't need to write it down"
So it came as no surprise, what confusion we found.

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