WILD - THE CANADIAN VERSION

Have you read the book? Wild by Cheryl Strayed?

Wild is Cheryl Strayed's memoir of her 1,100 mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, beginning in the Mojave Desert and hiking through California and Oregon to the Bridge of the Gods into Washington. Essentially the book is narration of a young woman's self-discovery and resolution of her enduring grief due to childhood based trauma. At age 26, with no prior hiking experience, she begins her journey on the PCT. The book is the memoir of her physical challenges and spiritual realizations while on the trail.

Unfortunately, my journey was not as dramatic as Cheryl's. I did love the book and did plan to hike the PCT myself one day (I still do). About one year ago I did trek through some of the most beautiful landscape I have ever seen. I hadn't breathed in so much fresh air in all my life. I made my way up to Canada's peaks in the province of Alberta. I went across some of the most beautiful lakes, and made my way up tons of slopes.

I wasn't looking to overcome trauma like Cheryl was, but a little bit of peace and quiet does wonders for the soul they say. And you get plenty of that up here near Lake Louise.

Lake Louise is in the Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies, known for its turquoise, glacier-fed lake ringed by high peaks and overlooked by a stately chateau. I made sure to venture up its well known trail, the Lake Agnes Tea House for a bird's-eye view.

Is it just me or does everyone get the feeling that they are Pocahontas when they stand among a bunch of well aged trees? Just me? Alright, I can live with that. I must say, making your way up a mountain does certainly inspire some chuckle worthy thoughts. After taking the beautiful color of Lake Louise, I moved on to Moraine Lake, not to far away.

Lake Moraine is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 6,183 feet. Glacier-fed, its brilliant blue-green colour is a result of light refracting off the rock flour (fine particles of rock) in the glacier run-off which flows into the lake. At an elevation of 1,885 metres (6,183 feet), the lake does not begin to melt until June. Water levels, and its vibrant colour, peak in late June.

Breathtaking sights all-round. I stepped away from the lakes to take in a bit more of the bear country/mountain scene. And it was just as a worthy.

Voila. Here comes to an end my brief, yet memorable love affair with the wild side of my beloved Canada.
Hope it inspires a few travelers out there to pack their bags and make their way over.

Always,
Love Without Borders