7 July: Banff
I did manage to lure Peter from his deep slumber to join me at the Lake's edge at 5.30am but the morning lacked the spectacle it offered yesterday. I was so lucky with my experience.
We were not required to meet at the coach until 2.00pm so we enjoyed a leisurely morning to re-pack. We were blessed with a young Australian driver and I was able to secure the front seat for the 3 hour trip to Banff which had reached 30 degrees again. Brewsters  Company now manage 60 - 70 of the finest vehicles, many of which are new this year.
Our first stop in the Yoho National Park was to view the spiral tunnels at Kicking Horse Pass to control the runaway trains down the steep gradient. Unfortunately there were no trains running when we were there.
We then drove to the Emerald Lake, the brilliant green colouring of which is caused by the rock flour in the water. Dazzlingly beautiful!!!
And then we drove to Natural Bridge which was like Huka Falls on steroids .  I had to hold my hat on because of the wind caused by the turbulence of the water. How astonishing to see so many young Asians climbing over the guard rails and down to the water's edge to take their selfies. Apparently some of them are swept away each year. They have no respect for Mother Nature because it's all about me.
So to the final drive along the highway to Banff. Because of tragedy with the wildlife, the highways are now fenced off and monitored constantly. It is a National Park after all. But then of course animals are restricted in their feeding grounds, so now 60 over bridges and underpasses have been constructed so that animals can roam safely. For the last two years a programme has been in place to train creatures to use these accessways. Much research is being done on what species like to go over and what are more comfortable going under. And then inevitably the wily wolves have quickly learned to sit by these passes and wait for breakfast .  Cunning eh!!!!!
We rolled into Banff about 5.30 and were delivered to our respective hotels .  Banf has a permanent population of 8,000, but at this summer vacation season it swells to 25,000. We were in the last drop off away up a mountain at an intriguing hotel of 9 stories which have been built into the mountain face. We are on the 9th floor which is at street level and would be absolutely  spectacular in the winter.
I certainly do not need to waken before dawn tomorrow .