Sept 1 begins our long-awaited trip to Banff, Canada. We had a quick stop in Granum once we crossed the border to stock up on groceries and alcohol and you aren’t supposed to bring those items over. They did ask about alcohol and firearms when crossing. It turns out the closest grocery store was 15 miles away so we went to the local carry-out and just bought beer and wine and a couple of small items for CAD $82. We can’t wait to fill up the RV and car here.
This overnight stop was probably one of the tightest spots we have been. It is also very busy because it is also the Canadian Labour Day Weekend. The site next to us has a six-year-old practicing throwing knives.
Our trip has already been modified (a few times) due to the sad fires in Jasper. However, we had to eliminate that part of the trip, but we are still highly looking forward to Banff and the surrounding area.
Day 2 was a long day of driving and visiting various spots in Banff National Park.
We saw Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Lake, Bow River, Peyto Lake, Herbert Lake, the natural bridge, Johnston lower canyon falls, and Morants Curve. We saw a train make the bend.
Although it is very beautiful it is very, very crowded. For example, we drove an hour to see Emerald Lake and we were turned away because there was no parking.
On day 3 we drove to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, via the shuttle. The crowds have diminished since the holiday weekend. We walked over 19000 steps today visiting these two lakes. It was beautiful.
On the drive over I saw 2 bears (moma and cub) along the Bow River.
This morning around 5 we heard some noise so got up to see if we had animal activity at the campsite. Nothing so went back to head, heard it again around 6 so I got up again, looked outside nothing. I sat down to have coffee and the largest mouse scouted by my feet. Yes, I screamed. Set two traps while we were gone, nada. Will set again tonight.
Day 4 we drove over the Continental Divide into British Columbia and toured Kootenay National Park. We stopped at Marble Canyon, Paint Pots (saw bear prints no bear), Numa Falls, and Vista Lake.
While driving we stopped at a few other places to take some pictures.
After we drove to Sunshine Village ski resort and took the gondola and then a chair lift to the top of the mountain.
Yesterday there were 3 grizzly bear sightings but none by us. We had a drink at the top and enjoyed chatting with a young couple traveling.
One last stop at Vermillion Lake before heading home.
Last night I planned on sleeping for 10 hours but spent 2 hours with John trying to get the frickin squirrel out of the bus. I think we succeeded and I now have 1 million peppermint-soaked cotton balls all around.
Day 5 we enjoyed the sites in downtown Banff today. We took the city bus from the RV park into town.
We visited the Cave and Basin Museum, Cascade of Time Gardens, Bow Falls, surprise corner, a stroll along the Bow River, and a dinner with our friends in town.
Another 20,000 step day, good thing Friday is a travel day. We head to Cochrane for 4 more days (the original plan was Jasper but not bc of fires).
Day 6 was a travel day to Cochrane and day 7 had a Spartan win and no hikes today. Bar time in Canada at a sports bar.
Day 8
Today concludes our time in Banff National Park. We are currently staying in Cochran (left Banff RV park on Friday). We drove just over an hour to go back one more day and visit Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake, and Johnson Lake.
We booked a cruise on Lake Minnewanka for 10:30. They told us we had to be there 2 hrs early to get parking so we left a little after 7 am as we are now in Cochrane. Our friends Cheryl Gleason and John Gleason joined us and they arrived at 10 with no issues. My John was not thrilled with me for arriving by 8:30.
The cruise was 1.5 hrs on a 13-mile by 1.2 mile and 466 ret deep lake. After we had a picnic lunch at Cascade Pond then a stop at Two Jack Lake and finished with a 2-mile walk around Lake Johnson. It feels weird to only do 10k steps.
We concluded our time by having dinner with a nice view at Iron Goat in Canmore.
It is a Sunday so traffic was heavy in both directions and today it was hazy due to the fires.
Day 9 was our last day in the Banff area. Instead of heading back into Banff, we choose to golf a local course north of Calgary.
Paired up with another couple and had a wonderful time. 2 more days south of Calgary then back to the US for our journey south for the winter.
