Banff National Park November 14, 2025

When I woke this morning, my last day at Lake Louise, I looked out to a new light layer of snow covering everything. Eventually into last night all that rain turned to snow at lower elevations.  I packed up, loaded up my vehicle and checked out.  Before hitting the highway to home, I wanted to check out Lake Louise once more.  I arrived to "a late autumn tease", the peak was peeking through the clouds. 

I waited and watched to see the clouds disperse.  

What was not here the past few days was snow settled on the branches.  

Icicles now hung from the roof of the boat house!

Chipmunks now had to swish through the snow to find food!

It was time to capture one last location selfie!

Yesterday there was a very tiny thin layer of ice in small sections near the shore but this morning that was gone.  It is going to be a long while before any skating will be happening here.  Swimming is still going on.  That little orange star I added is to show you where the girl is swimming. She is to the right of the star. It was not just a cold plunge she performed, she was out there in her one piece swim suit, wool hat and footwear. I watched her for about twenty minutes at that point she began to swim back to shore.  

I captured this panorama photo as one last look back 

before heading to my vehicle and hitting the highway back home.

For approximately one hour of the two hour drive home, it was very stressful. The road was like a skating rink.   Everyone was driving about 40 to 60 kms per hour, at times even less than that.  The downhills were sketchy.  The traffic heading west was at a standstill for well over a kilometre. Many vehicles were in the ditch, a transfer truck was on its' side and another one sideways on the road.  I prayed I would make it home safe and sound in my new vehicle.  

I made it home! Whew!  I needed to decompress!  Painting birds is what my Doctor would call for!  I picked out one of my photos I took, along the shore of Lake Louise, of the Clark's Nutcracker.   

UGH!  

I knew when I was well into the painting, it was not what I wanted it to look like yet I finished it.  

Maybe I just needed a little more settling down.

I checked out my other photos of the Nutcracker and think I may be able to do a better job of replicating this shot.  I am not ready to give up on the Clark's Nutcracker, I will put paint on paper again a little later.

Banff National Park November 13, 2025

The forecast was for rain all day in the Lake Louise area. At high elevations that would be snow. My plan to drive a portion of the Icefield parkway was aborted. There were warnings for that road to have bad driving conditions.  I played it safe, especially with a brand new vehicle, and stayed local. That meant I needed to don my waterproof gear then get out there and find beauty! 

I drove back up to Lake Louise to walk the shoreline again.  It was a totally different experience than two days prior, yet just as beautiful.  It would be a morning of admiring what was up close as vast views were not to be had.  While taking photos, I kept wiping the lens to clear away water drops.  

I admired the reflections in the water and how the ice was forming.

there were thousands of water droplets to choose from to photograph

the water looks more beautiful on such a grey day

I built another snowman!

I love playing with perspective!

That’s it in the bottom of the photo! 

This is where the ice climbers like to hang out. 

It will be quite some time before the icefalls are ready for them.

at the far end of the lake

I was loving the colours I was seeing!

lining up the droplets with the shade of the water

There was loads of this going on!  

After a few hours of being out and about around the lake, I was ready to head back to my suite and settle in for the balance of the day, I brought my knitting with me so got comfy on the couch and knitted away. I had the window open and listened to the rain fall down. 

Along with my knitting, I brought my watercolour  supplies 

and completed another painting of “Maverick”.

Before closing the window and shutting the curtains, I looked across to see if all the rain falling here was snow in the mountains!  I will be curious to see what the area looks like at first light tomorrow morning!

Banff National Park November 12, 2025

Not only did I want to be surrounded by a late autumn tease of a winter-wonderland during this getaway to Banff National Park, I also wanted to test my cross-country ski skills since having surgery, going through physio therapy and now living life to the fullest again. I want to report my success rate to the surgeon when I see him in December.  The tracks are in very early season condition but I can’t wait for when they are prime. 

I drove over the border into British Columbia to begin skiing the Great Divide from the O’Hara side rather than the Lake Louise side.  No one else was there yet which I was thankful for. I was a tad apprehensive as I clipped in and glided off. 

The kilometres I planned to cover were predominantly flat with a few very small gradual hills. The temperature was a few degrees above freezing with no wind. This called for light layers.  This area also calls for carrying bear spray which I had at my side with easy access. 

Today was not about being speedy, it was about staying upright, being happy and wearing a smile. 

I opted to take the skis off and walk the downhills.

It was overcast yet the views were beautiful!

I arrived at the border between British Columbia and Alberta.  I stayed on the B.C. side, not feeling ready yet to climb the big hill then have to descend it.  It was here where I finally met up with another skier. He was a serious speedy skate skier in his black tight tights! He disappeared just as quick as he appeared.  

This was a good spot to stop and stretch.  

the shelter

still smiling

Even on the way back, I still removed my skis to walk down the hills. My confidence will return!  Portions of the flat sections were on the icy side but that comes were early season and warm temperatures. As I neared the end I began seeing more skiers just heading out.  I was happy to not be in the midst of them. 

Upon reaching the end, I let out a big happy sigh, I stayed upright the entire ski and I was still smiling!  Aaahh success!  I am not sure when I will get to cross country ski next but I do know now that I will be absolutely fine. 

Banff National Park November 11, 2025

We will always remember!

What are the odds that the opening in the clouds should look like ❤️ this when I arrived at Lake Louise today!  I’ve had the desire to be around snow so put a plan in place to make that happen.  Being Remembrance Day, I made sure to be extra grateful that I have the freedom to make choices on what I do in life. I love when I go searching and find what I am looking for.  

That late autumn tease of what is to come!  Right now Lake Louise is wide open water.  The surrounding peaks are dusted with new white gold while the ground is covered in a few centimetres of snow with icy walkways. Sporting my spikes, off I went. 

I am sure if the canoe rentals were still available, the business would have made a mint today.  

In a little over a month or so the Ice Castle would normally be built and the ice groomed for skating. Will that be the case this year? While walking the shoreline, a few flurries fell, one landed on my cheek, aaahhh winter I thought!  This is what I came looking for!

a Clark’s Nutcracker

a Duck

(a family had the mold to make them)

The shade of the water was so incredibly beautiful at the base of Fairview Mountain. 

Then as crystal clear as could be near me.

I built the snowman on the right on my way to the end of the lake.  

Upon my return, I saw someone built another one.

View from the backside of Lake Louise

looking towards The Chateau and The Ski Hill.

Time came to check into my home away from home. 

I enjoyed the view from my picture window 

while the sun began to set on this day 

that I was so grateful to experience. 

autumn days

After arriving at two separate Parks outside the city only to see loads of construction vehicles and some closures at both (I should have done my homework), my third choice became Elliston Park. By this time I had almost lost total interest in doing anything other than heading back home. I was here, a very slight interest remained, I made the most of it!  There was no ice whatsoever in the lake, the ducks and geese swam freely throughout.  

female & male Mallard

Great White-fronted Goose (juvenile)

I recognize what this male Common Goldeneye is up to!

He put on a show.....

.....splashing about!

He was working at making an impression on her, the female Common Goldeneye.

I spent about an hour strolling about the Park.  It felt good to have done something after all that unnecessary driving around. I did wonder with all this gorgeous weather so late in the year, would the wildlife be confused!  

"My Name is Maverick"

If you have been following me since June then you will know I wrote and illustrated a children's book about a Canada Goose Gosling.  The title of the book is "My Name is Journey", I shared information about it here blog post.  I had three requests to purchase copies but I declined the offers. During the time of putting the book together, I was on a very personal journey of my own. Being deeply creative helped me along and I now feel I successfully reached the end of that journey. I still have a connection to the book but I've let the possessiveness of it go. I am happily beginning another journey, it's called "My Name is Maverick"! It's about a Bald Eagle Eaglet!

a recent watercolour painting

This unusually warm dry weather we are experiencing locally, so late in autumn, has been great for easily getting around while being out & about. Bodies of water are open, trails are dry, roadways are clear. It confuses my mind while my soul yearns for otherwise. Stay Tuned!