Canada 15: Lakes, hiking AND Peter spotted a bear with two cubs

Peter was the first to spot this bear family in the bush, soooo cool  ^^

Moraine lake (picture taken from the viewpoint)

Sunday, 21st July staying at Banff

This morning we woke early (I didn't get much sleep anyway coz of the noise of the bar beneath our room at Mount Royal hotel in Banff) to go and visit lake Moraine. 
We had to arrive there before 10 am we learned from the tourist guides and from my colleague Brenda, who visited the Canadian rockies many times.
Sooo after complaining at the reception desk of the hotel about the noise last night and a short breakfast we set of. The receptionist prommissed us another, more quiet room.

It was already getting crowded at lake Moraine but we were in time and found a normal place to park. We climbed the many stairs to the viewpoint, which indeed gave stunning views of the lake and the changing colour of the water.

After taking too many photos, we wanted to do the hike to the Consolation lakes, however there was a bear warning sign, which informed hikers, they should be at least a group of 4 persons. Ignoring this meant the risk of a fine of CAN$ 5,000. 
Soo we decided to wait for other hikers to show up and they did: Kim and Rodger from Switzerland. We went the 4 of us: no bears nor elk, goats whatever, only squirrels, but the trail was wonderful as was the lake at the end of the trail.

another photo taken from the viewpoint of Moraine lake

first photo this holiday of us together (thx Rodger)

Kim, Rodger & Peter at the lake; i.e. the goal of our hike

lunch at Moraine lake 

(not everyone crossing the trees in the lake kept their feet dry)

After our lunch we did the short trail along the edges of Moraine lake. Many kayaks for rent to paddle the lake.

the shores of Moraine lake

the glacier

the river with the glacier water feeding Moraine lake

Lake Louise

Afterwards we drove to Lake Louise, where we luckily found a parking spot and saw the many tourists taking pics of themselves in front of the lake/glacier. Of course we didn't pffff ^^

Peter was the first to spot this bear and her two cubs while driving home along the Bow Valley Parkway. Wow we parked our car right next to them and had a great view of the mother eating berries. Soo exciting, what great animals they are. In no time there were many cars behind us and everybody was taking photos/films.

a few seconds later the mother also turned her head and looked in our direction when a dog barked (in a car next to us): impressive

(Peter wanted to kill the dog)

In the rebound: this evening we did take a photo of the sushi dish we shared at Suginoya accompanied by a glass of sake ^^

At Evelyns' coffee bar we drank strong espresso and I bought 2 chocolates at the Fudgery; a dark bear claw for Peter and a milk chocolate one for me. Yummie.