Alberta, Canada Road Trip: Day 5 (Maligne Canyon, Maligne Lake)

Leaving Pyramid Lake to the next destination for the day, we realized that we needed to return to town to get some gas. This turned out to be auspicious for me and the husband for if we didn't return to town, we would not remember to get our covid test. This day was June 8, 2022 and during that time the US still required a negative covid test taken within 24 hours of arrival. Quick Google search and we found 2 pharmacies in town that offered the test. Where we went, the process took less than an hour, I think. The line was short for covid, just me and the hubs, however there was only one line for all that needed the pharmacist. Once all the paperworks were filled out and payment made, we got swabbed and told to return for results sometime in the afternoon. I started to worry about getting a positive test once I left the pharmacy, and yet I would not mind staying in this beautiful province longer.

Our next stop for the day was Maligne Canyon, which was not too far from town. This spot was such a surprise to me. The trails we took offered so many photo-worthy angles that I was torn between just living the moment and being in the present or capturing the beauty for posterity - although we know that no camera can truly capture what was before us. As a matter of fact, the photos I took don't resemble the real thing. It was only here in Maligne Canyon that I noticed this with my photos. Perhaps I was more into the hiking and looking part of the activity than into the photography. Hiking with friends is so much more joyful with nonstop chatting, despite the drizzle at the outset of the hike.

Maligne Canyon hike done, now we drive about an hour to Maligne Lake. Originally, we were supposed to do the Maligne Lake cruise that we booked ahead of time first thing today, but we received email before arrival here that they were canceling this cruise since the lake was still pretty much frozen. No cruise, no problem, we can still go and visit it.

Along the way, we passed by Medicine Lake and saw many people in the lookout, so we pulled over and inspected what people were looking at.

From the viewpoint the people were looking at eagle's nest in the distance, too far to photograph from here. I liked the mountain views, although I thought the water level was low.

The long drive was pretty scenic, especially while skirting the rest of Medicine Lake.

We found out that the eagle's nest was best viewed from the road, as evidenced by the many cars pulled over the side of the road.

My husband brought a proper camera in addition to all the phones we have been using. Still not good enough. Back to the road now.

We arrived and and saw that indeed there was no way a cruise was going to happen.

Don't be fooled by puffy clouds, sunshine, and blue sky. It was a blustery cold day.

It was too windy and cold that our visit was cut short. Before leaving, we visited the gift shop to use the loo, and that's when we saw they have food there too. We got cookies to go and off we went.

This is our last full day here in Canada and the day is not over yet. I'm finally almost done blogging about this trip. Thanks for sticking with me.