Had a much needed lay in as we were both shattered! Have ahd a busy few days in Banff - very active ones! We mooched about the lodge a bit before going into the village to collect our bus tickets for tomorrow to Vancouver. We wanted to go to Moraine Lake but the only way was to hitch hike or pay silly money for a taxi! or walk for 3hours each way! We had been told by many people that it is afe and very common - especially to this lake. After yesterdays experience we decided to give it a go! And bingo - first car stoped! He was a German and on his own in an old camper! He took us part of the way as he was going to Lake Louise, Moraine Lake is off this road. We then set off to find another person willing to take pity on us to take us the rest of the way. After about 4 or 5 cars a young couple stopped with a huge dog called Riley on the back seat! She was so big that Japanese tourists thought she was a bear! They were very friendly - so was the dog - and also very helpful as they were local and lived in Banff. We squeezed in the back with Riley who was particularly fond of Mark and smoothered him in cuddles and kisses! hehe! The guy told us all about the mountains en route and advised of good trails to follow - we didn't mention our aching legs and our intention to have an easy day! the lake wasn't as we expected when we first arrived - partly because we were at land level, once we had followed a short trail we saw its true beauty! the valley of 10 peaks line the lake, many topped with snow and glaciers and make quite a statement! We followed another trail trail along the lake which was very natural as there mini waterfalls coming down through the rocks and lots of dead trees washed up on the shore. The weather was a bit nippy again, and occasionally the sun made a brief apperance! It felt like we had hardly spent any time at the lake, partly because we spent most of the first part brushing Riley's hair off of Mark!! The other trails leading from the lake required you to walk in groups of at least 4 people. This is because it is an area where grizzly bears are most common! We decided against this and made our way back into town! After realising just how far we were from town on the way up, we had to hitchhike again, only this time it wasn't as easy! There were not as many cars going our way and about 20 went past without stopping! Eventually a lady picked us up. She was from Vancouver and over this way for work but spending the weekend in the park. She had a lot of knowledge of places we are going to in the USA so gave us lots of useful advice! Once back in the town we looked around the tourist information centre. In there is details all about the NP and how it came about, who has lived here -animals included. Quite interesting!
We then made our way back to the lodge for some grub and to chill on the sofas by the fire! :) Whilst chilling we heard two Austrian accents, when we looked up it was the 2 who we had met in Calgary and again in Banff! They told us about a cheap hotel in Vancouver which we might check out whilst we're there!
We chilled for the evening reading, writing this and listening to music. We had two guys in our dorm from Ottawa. Spent ages chatting to one of them about travelling. He didn't like many of the places that we did! Had an early night as yet again, we're catching the bus in the morning!