Hiking in Canada

Banff Springs Hotel

About two weeks ago, my hubby and I took a short trip to Canada leaving the little pumpkin in the care of her grandmother. Hubby had a conference at the Banff Springs Hotel starting Sunday, 10/2, but we arrived a little early to visit with his sis and her family in Calgary before we drove to Lake Louise and then Banff. Yes, we passed through Banff before driving to Lake Louise. It was a good thing too, since we had to buy cheap umbrellas.

We weren't able to visit with hubby's sister much since her artwork was in a show. Here's an example of Tina's artwork on her Facebook page. I hope the link works! Remember that my picture is of one of her first works. She's evolved to using painted metal from cars. I love so much of her artwork, but these are big pieces and it would be cost prohibitive to have her send me something, though I do have a little birdy and a metal wreath.

Metal wreath

On Saturday, we drove from Calgary to Lake Louise. We took a side jaunt to Banff to pick up some umbrellas and bypassed the canyon we wanted to walk in hopes that the rain would let up the next day. We took this shot of an elk from the road. 

Elk heading toward doe

Castle Mountain

Kayakers on Bow River

Room at Lake Louise

On Sunday, we hiked to Johnston Canyon before driving to the Banff Springs Hotel.

Upper Falls at Johnston Canyon

Moss on walls of Johnston Canyon

On Monday, Hubby went to his conference and I chatted with Anna Lisa, a Fairmont Gold Supervisor who suggested a few hikes I might enjoy. The green marks they hike I did on Monday.

I hiked up the Bow Falls trail to walk around the Marsh trail before walking by the Bow river to the Fenland trail. I hiked back to town to enjoy a beer and a bowl of French Onion soup before heading back to the Banff Springs hotel. I think I hiked for about 3-4 hours.

Bow River from Marsh loop

marsh loop
On Tuesday, Anna Lisa talked me out of hiking Sulfur mountain, but suggested Tunnel Mountain, the base of the mountain is a few blocks off Main Street--the pink highlighted route.

Tunnel Mountain

Surprise at the top of Tunnel Mountain

Afterwards, I decided to walk down Tunnel Mountain Drive to Surprise Corner and walked toward town on the other side of Bow River! For lunch I enjoyed a Cheddar and Ale soup and a nice beer before walking up Spray Avenue to the hotel. Wednesday was travel day and we arrived home late at night after picking up the kidlet from grandma's house.

And that is it. These pictures are just a fraction of the ones we took. :-)

Later, Peeps!