After spending two less than wonderful days in Kelowna, we decided to change our plans and spend two nights in Banff National Park, Alberta, just to relax after the ordeal with our front wheel seals. Banff is Canada’s oldest national park located in the heart of the south Canadian Rockies. The natural beauty & scenery is fantastic, and we took close to two hundred pictures of the mountains (thank goodness for digital cameras!). And the park is home to “Crasher Squirrel” the latest internet celebrity (can you say - he went viral?).
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index_E.asp
After setting up camp we drove into the town of Banff for a walkabout. The town is very picturesque and is similar in appearance to winter resort towns in the USA. Outside of town is the famous Banff Springs Lodge built in the 1920s and modeled on Scottish castles. Although we were allowed to view the lobby and shopping areas, you can only see the other areas by paying $15 for a tour.
http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings/
The next morning we headed to Johnston Canyon for short hike. This is one of the most popular hiking areas in the park and is heavily trafficked (1,000,000 visitors/year). Most of the trail is narrow, with oneway in and oneway out; which can lead to traffic jams. In addition, portions of the trail are cantilevered walkways attached directly to the canyon sides. Thankfully, we beat the crowds and had an excellent time enjoying fantastic scenery. We then returned to Banff to check out more of the stores and the museums.
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index_E.aspAfter setting up camp we drove into the town of Banff for a walkabout. The town is very picturesque and is similar in appearance to winter resort towns in the USA. Outside of town is the famous Banff Springs Lodge built in the 1920s and modeled on Scottish castles. Although we were allowed to view the lobby and shopping areas, you can only see the other areas by paying $15 for a tour.
http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings/
The next morning we headed to Johnston Canyon for short hike. This is one of the most popular hiking areas in the park and is heavily trafficked (1,000,000 visitors/year). Most of the trail is narrow, with oneway in and oneway out; which can lead to traffic jams. In addition, portions of the trail are cantilevered walkways attached directly to the canyon sides. Thankfully, we beat the crowds and had an excellent time enjoying fantastic scenery. We then returned to Banff to check out more of the stores and the museums.
Trivia – what is the difference between Mountain Sheep & Mountain Goats?
2 comments:
Someday we will have to compare rock pictures. What is it with rocks anyway?
we think it is because when rocks (ie mountains) are covered by trees you have no idea of the vast differences and beauty that lays just beneath the trees. rocks can change dramatically just by changes in the available light. - corrie & dan
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