A side trip to Calgary

We drove 90 minutes to Calgary to see the Canada Olympic Village and drop off Rodney  at the airport since the shuttle (like the one Mary took) didn't work out. Now it's down to Karen and me to return the rent car to Kalispell...the long way. More adventures!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Day with Rodney

We found one more hike on the Bow Valley Parkway for Rodney and then drove back to Banff. We had lunch at the Spaghetti Factory (Rodney’s favorite). We went shopping for 20 minutes on Banff Ave for shirts, etc. so Rodney could find last-minute souvenirs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bow Valley Parkway, Take Two

After Mari left, we headed back to Bow Valley Parkway, which was closed last night when we tried to see animals at dusk. Mari's shuttle was late and we decided to wait with her, but now we've missed seeing animals at dawn. But there were still plenty of photo opps and fun times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A photo of Lambie's ancester. . . a true bighorn sheep.

 

 

 

 

Last Selfies/Goodbyes

Well, we tried to take a selfie that showed how exhausted we all are but we got this photo instead?

 

 So then we took a real last selfie.

 

 And then we put Mari on the shuttle to Calgary Airport.

 

 

Back to Moraine Lake

We stopped at Moraine Lake one more time. It's just beautiful to see it at any time of day. It's not very far out of the way, plus Dr. Mari missed it at sunrise. Check out the "rock pile" (as described by a photography blogger whose directions we followed for photographing sunrise here) that we hiked up to get the really good sunrise photos. It's so picturesque we just kept taking selfies...more sky, more focus on the water, different angles...always a beautiful backdrop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Banff Hotel

Another nice place to stay, this one with great balconies and a yummy hot free breakfast. Thanks Dungarees Expeditions for all the great travel arrangements! (weird name, though: Best Western Plus Siding 29 Lodge)

 

 

 

 

Weeping Wall

Weeping Wall? Where did that come from? How did we miss this yesterday?! We are thoroughly enjoying the beauty and the surprises of Icefield Parkway!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Banff

We figured today would be a much shorter drive time-wise since we'd seen it all coming up the Icefield Parkway. But somehow you can't take it all in in just one trip, so there was still plenty to see. Plus it looks different coming the other direction. Plus, there are always fun surprises like a herd of mountain goats along the side of the road.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After Dinner Drive Around Banff

As described earlier, when we were in one of the art galleries admiring beautiful photographry of the area, Rodney asked about the mountain in one of them. The employee not only told us the name of it but said the best place to photograph it was at Vermillion Lakes and then she told us how to get there. And so we went!

 

 And then we drove some more around town, not sure where we were going, just exploring. And we got up close and personal with the classic Banff Springs Hotel (now a Fairmont Luxury Hotel). 

 

 

Though the place was closed, we were able to see the base of the Banff Gondola. I'm not sure what this big bus was doing there...it should be out at the Columbia Icefield out on the Icefields Parkway that we just go off of. Pretty cool to see it up close. It is really BIG!

 

 

We drove back to Vermillion Lakes and took sunset photos. Imagine that. :-)

 

 

Bye Bye Jasper

Well we didn't get to stay long here! All the more reason to come back. And there's a certain photo of a certain island that Rodney wants to get, so we'll come back for that, too.

We had breakfast in the dining room of the Crimson Jasper Hotel. It wasn't included with the price of the hotel, but it was nice. The rest of the gang went down Maine Street to look for souvenirs and t-shirts. I stayed behind to use the free wi-fi and get caught up on Facebook postings.

 

 

Hike to Lower Falls of Johnston Canyon

Hoping to see wildlife but no luck. Instead found Johnson Canyon and a great waterfall at the end of a nice hike. Met Susan M. Stephens Davis and her family. She and her six children (plus her mom and aunt) are on an inspiring and exciting journey. Safe journeys new friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Will I Ever Learn?

I know better. After 30 years of friendship, somehow I forgot and left my phone out where Dr. Mari could get hold of it. She's not an iPhone user, but silly me, I taught her how to get to the camera without using the passcode. So here's a collection of passenger shots. I'm not including the photo of a parking lot stripe or the video of my cell phone charging.