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BNF = Banff, BC/ Alberta journey
BNF = Banff, BC/ Alberta journey
ROF = Ring of Fire journey
British Columbia/ Alberta, Canada
Friday August 22, 2014 BNF 7
Baker Creek 2 also see Baker Creek 1 post
Lake Louise is actually a resort destination with a dozen upscale motel resort complexes and the rates start around $200+ a night.
Oh yeah... they are 99% booked up... so there are no vacancies except maybe cancellations that day.
The visitors center desk has a good line on any available openings and will assist in lodging.
We're talking with a desk agent ranger and say we don't have to be right in the village... ?what is nearby?
There's a place kinda off the main drag... Baker Creek. and reasonable for our budget; we'll go see.
Turns out... it's a GREAT place. And secluded away from all the touristy motels.
Drive out of Lake Louise village, over bridge above the Trans-Can Hwy 1 for another mile, turn right on Bow River Parkway.
Bow River Parkway is the local back road -- parallells Hwy 1-- from Lake Louise to Banff. There is no traffic on this road. No tourists.
About 14 miles down this pristene Canadian forest road come to RED metal roof Log cabin structures. It's Baker Creek.
Go up to the office and notice the "NO Vacancy" sign. T-bird goes in anyway to search for network leads for lodging... and there's a cancellation; we'll take it!
Turns out these are very nice chalet suites with kitchenettes and gas log fireplaces.
Walk out back and Baker Creek is lined with round eroded river rock ... stream rushing down from the mountains and sounds wonderful.
A bronze elk statue stands guard beside the creek. Canadian Rockies in the background... this place is good.
Baker Creek runs down another 100 yards and there's a Canadian Pacific railway tracks, ... another 100 yards and the creek flows into the Bow River. Hey, I'll trout fish some here.
Next day...
We came in from driving up to Banff for the day and came back in late afternoon. This morning the receptionist said there was a "Meet and Creek" out by the firepit along Baker Creek this afternoon.
Went out and there's a firepit with a circle of about 25 Baker Creek guests/ tourists/ residents/ staff... warm fire, rushing water of the creek sounded great. Interesting people from all over the world. Hot Coaco. Hot coffee. Hot wassel! ... and I thin there was even some cookies and pastries but I was listening and learning more.
Guests, famlies, kids roasting marsh-mellows, smores... this is a good place. Well done TJ!
TJs Uncle Dean was visiting from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and both being from the same era struck up a good conversation. Shook hands with Uncle Dean, he had a good firm handshake; I knew he was a good man. And said, "I grew up in the late '50s and 60's,... you know,... back when the universe really stood for something"; We were immediate friends.
Uncle Dean was a neat guy that had lived a very interesting journey of life and I hope he's doing well.
This was a good place to stay. Lake Louise, Lake Moraine, Bannf, Icefields Parkway, other local hikes, skiing ect... are all short ~~ 30 minute~~ distances. We were lucky to have stumbled onto Baker Creek Chalets.
