Canada trip - Day six

Today we woke up feeling horrible. Daddy woke everyone up by coughing, Arwen couldn't stop blowing her nose, and Lorien lay moaning on the bed, trying to tell everyone her dying wishes. Lorien was taken out from under her blankets long enough to go to the doctor's office, where the doctor told her she had strep throat. Needless to say, she stayed in bed all day.

However, Mama dropped Daddy off to hike, and then came back to the hotel and picked up Arwen and Morgen. They drove to Lake Louise and walked around the lake trail to the small beach on the far side. Mama captivated Morgen with a story of the last time they had been to Lake Louise, 16 years ago, when baby Arwen and a chipmunk met nose to nose. It was love at first sight. Mama and Daddy claim that ever since that day, Arwen has been part chipmunk.

Mama and Arwen sat down on a rock in the shade to wait for Daddy, while Morgen waded in the ice cold water of the lake. While Mama and Arwen enjoyed the scenery, two chipmunks appeared. The first (later named Cheeky) watched Mama and Arwen cautiously from the rocks. Suddenly, the second chipmunk (named Chipper) ran across Arwen's lap! He did the same thing three more times, and then Arwen pulled out a cracker and fed it to him. Chipper was instantly best friends with Arwen. However, Arwen wanted crackers too and popped one in her mouth before he could grab it. He screamed in rage and turned his back on her. Then Arwen showed him another cracker and he was back, scampering up onto her shoulder to eat it.  For the next hour, Arwen and Morgen enjoyed the company of the chipmunks, who chirruped their thanks for all the snacks and attention.

Daddy returned from his hike up into Six Glacier Plain and we had to leave. Morgen fell asleep on the way back to the hotel. Lorien was picked up, and we drove into the small town of Banff to eat dinner.

We enjoyed a lovely sunset over the Rockies on our trip back to Lake Louise.  Mama made the comment, "I just know there must be a bear along here who would love for us to see him."  Well, not five minutes later, there was Mama's bear by the side of the road!  Fortunately, the Icefields Parkway is lined with fencing to keep the wildlife from wondering onto the road and getting hit.  Daddy and several others jumped from their vehicles and followed the bear along the fence, snapping pictures!  We figured the bear likes to watch the tourists get excited. :)

Mama and Daddy at Lake Louise

The chipmunk named Chipper

The chipmunk named Cheeky

The town of Banff

Daddy!!! You're getting too close!!! We know you always wanted to join the circus and train bears but this is too much...