We enjoyed a second day up in the Canadaian Rockies.
It was so beautiful, all the peaks and glacial lakes and rivers are an amazing turquoise.
And we saw quite a few glaciers.
In the Columbian ice fields, they were taking people in big trucks right up the glacier.
The Evening program was amazing. Anything you can name was in the show: a drum line coming in on zip lines, acrobatic roller skaters, ventriloquists, comics, singers, bands, dancers, illusionists. It was pretty crazy and ended with some wonderful fireworks.
Eddie the eagle, the ski jumper was even part of the show.
It was the 50th anniversary of the evening show and they spared no expense.
The Calgary Stampede rodeo is held every day at 1:30 pm for 10 days. During that time the various participants get a cumulative ranking until the 10th day, when the winners of each category get 100,000$. There are a few novelty things thrown in, like the steer riding event above for teenagers. Everyone is very good at what they do.
We were a little toasty until the sun moved and gave us some shade.
A sea of cowboy hats everywhere you look at the Stampede. Almost all white.
Darla said she came to see men in wranglers. Hahaha
There were also lots of cowboy boots, even lots worn with clothing other than jeans.
And plaid shirts were the other thing that was the Stampede uniform.
There were lots of teenage volunteers to help out. They were super nice.
Steer riding
These folks were top in the standings. I know that gal won 100,000 on the last day for barrel racing. She was from Texas. Hailey was her name.
The Indian tribes are called First Nations in Canada. They have been a part of the Stampede since the beginning, more than 100 years ago. They have an Indian encampment where they set up Teepees, that some actually stay and sleep in. They have some open that you can go in and people to explain the different tribes in the area. I was surprised to find out that there are Navajos who went to Canada years ago, so as to avoid going on a reservation. They were part of this group.
A display inside a Teepee of beadwork on buckskin. It was very nice.
They had some Mounties who were First nations. Darla was excited to get a photo with them.
There was a flag raising every morning, different demonstrations and dancing and drumming competitions.
The poles used in the Teepees were uncut poles of lodge pole pine. They were really long and straight.
Part of the flag raising
Lots of different kinds of dancers. These were shawl dancers.
Jingle Dress dancers.
Lake Louise is beautiful. I have seen breathtaking photos of it for years and always wanted to see it in person. I was so glad we were close enough in Calgary to go. It is just as beautiful in person. And very popular. We had to park in an overflow lot and take a school bus shuttle up to the Lake. It was free, though and so really no problem. 
You could rent a canoe and paddle around, but first I would rather paddle a kayak but second, It was over a 100$ for half an hour. A ridiculous price. We enjoyed watching others.
The chateau is the historic hotel here and has beautiful views. I really wanted to eat lunch with a view of the lake. We tried the restaurant inside, but they were only taking hotel guests. We lucked out though, the downstairs restaurant had a patio and we got a front seat view of the lake. It was heaven.
Darla contemplating the menu.
The food was quite tasty.
The view of my diet soda, lake and mountains made me perfectly happy.
Gardens, lake and mountains from our table
Inside restaurant and view. We had the better deal.
While we sat there a chipmunk came right onto our table and started to get into my drink. I was so startled, I chased it away before I could take a photo. It would have been a cute photo, but I would have needed a new drink.
A breeze came along and lifted the flags for this nice photo.
We heard about Lake Moraine while we were there and so decided we had to see it to. We had to pay 15$ for the shuttle there. It has 9 peaks around it and is longer and skinnier than Lake Louise, but just as beautiful.
Darla ran into a friend by the gift shop
Waiting for the shuttle to take us back to the car.
Us at Lake Moraine.
