Everything Happens For A Reason

My final day in Alberta, so many emotions, most of which are already me missing the serenity that is the mountains. I got up and got to Moraine Lake around 730 at which time it was already absolutely packed and it took me 20 minutes to find a parking spot, and even then I only got one because the guy in charge of parking felt bad for me and opened up a spot. I had planned on hiking Moraine Lake Trail to Sentinel Pass but at Moraine, the entrance to Sentinel warned that it was "highly recommended" you don't hike alone due to frequent and likely encounters with grizzly bears. I waited at the trail head for a bit, hoping some people would come by that would want to befriend me and tackle the bear infested trail together.

Side note: How do you tell the difference between Black bear poop and Grizzly bear poop? The Grizzly bear one has bear bells in it. Update: I did not feel confident enough hiking alone when National Parks Canada was telling me I probably should hike in groups of at least 4 regardless of the fact that I had bear spray. So I did the short trail around Moraine Lake, finding yet another trail I had been wanting to keep an eye open for but behold, another warning sign. So I cut my losses, packed up and decided to drive to a different trail. I found a parking spot at Paradise Valley which I knew lead to Giants Steps and Annette Lake, and hiked the 2kms in to the trail head where there was another sign warning me not to hike alone. I stood staring at the trail entrance for 5 minutes, once again debating how likely I was to come across a bear but decided I didn't want to see if fate was on my side today. SO. I drove another 20 minutes and found a trail that was supposed to take me to Lake Louise and to my excitement there was no Grizzly warning sign. I re-stocked up on my snacks because I had stress eaten the ones I already packed and headed onto the trail only to find fresh bear poop about 1.5kms in. I guess the bears didn't get the memo that they were supposed to stick to the other trails.

I was frustrated, to say the least. Not only an absolutely gorgeous day but my last day in Alberta and not only was I not able to do the hikes I Was excited about but I was wasting it driving around to find trail heads in an area that had zero cell service to be able to look things up. I reminded myself this was all part of my "go whatever way the day takes me" mantra and drove into Lake Louise Village for some service and perspective about what to do for the day. A quick google and a few phone calls later and I was on my way to British Columbia to go Class 3 and 4 white water rafting in the mountains in glacier water. I got to the base just in time for the safety briefing, got fit for a wet suit and was on a boat with 6 strangers all in under an hour from my hiking catastrophe. And...I had the most phenomenal experience that I will never forget. The guide gave us a chance to swim in the water, 5 degrees Celsius and I'd never been more thankful for a wet suit or the opportunity to immerse myself in glacier water. I got absolutely soaked in the rapids, laughed more than I have in I don't know how long. I enjoyed the sun on my face, the crystal blue water splashing me with joy, the company of humans I've never met, will probably never meet again but will never forget. I was convinced by my guide to head into Canmore and eat dinner alone (this is on my bucket list for this trip) and I got out of the water a completely different person than I entered and with the reassurance that everything happens for a reason. Those hikes didn't work out but this day went from frustrating to one of my favourites all because things weren't originally going to plan. Such a great reminder that life will throw you curveballs, the journey lies somewhere in if you choose to swing or watch them pass you by.

I made my two hour drive to my next campsite and I can just say...I saved the best for last. I parked my van and realized I was looking out onto the lake with mountains on the horizon and very quickly kaiboshed my going out to dinner plans because how could I pass up the opportunity to watch the sun set behind the mountains on my last night. I am typing this blog post on the beach, watching the sun go down, my heart both wonderfully light with pure joy and simultaneously as heavy as the rocks I'm sitting on because this time tomorrow, this will all be a memory.

Ps. If you have the chance to go white water rafting and the guide asks who wants to sit in the front, be the first to volunteer because I can guarantee you'll have the adventure of a lifetime.