Jasper and Canmore Travel Day

  Well, last day in Jasper before driving back to Canmore. We stayed up the prior night to see the sunset... at 10:20pm! So we planned a later start, with the goal to rent canoes when they open at 9am. When renting the canoes, we asked where they were from. They were from Melbourne. In fact, it seemed like most of the workers were Australian. They said they wanted to work in the US, but it was much easier to get visa's in Canada rather than the US. Hopefully they'll make it to the US.

  The canoeing was great. No one else on the lake and water so beautiful and clear. There were geese and beautiful loons. Once we reached the far cove and started paddling back, we glimpse bears. In fact, three bears! A mamma and two cubs. We were all glad we saw them and extra glad we didn't see them on any hike (yet).

  After canoeing, the girls head to the spa area to enjoy the hot tub and saunas while I load the car and check out. After loading, I walk to the pool and just sit and try to take in the view as much as I can. Eventually the girls join me and we go to the car and head out. 

  Today was hitting all the places on the road from Jasper to Canmore that we skipped on the trip up. We hit Athabasca Falls...

... Sunwapta Salls

... then Peyto Lake. Wow, this was a stunner.

  Not only that, there was snow/ice... in early July.

  We see more bears on the drive back. In fact, of the three times, one caused a traffic jam, with people stopping in all the lanes and both shoulders of the road. Later at dinner I asked the waitress and she said everyone calls them "bear jams". Ha... very fitting.

  Then we finally make it to Lake Louise, one of the musts on the agenda. Signs all say parking is FULL. Undeterred, we still go toward the lake. Finally, just after the Fairmont, they wave us into the parking lot... and park. Yay! We walk to the Fairmont to the trailheads. Whew, crowded and loud. We pick the Fairview trail and start hiking up. And I do mean UP. Luckily(?) the _up_ really thinned out the crowds. In fact, it thinned us out a bit too, with Madison heading back to the car due to a combination of tough hike and mosquitos at full Amazon level. Bailley, Abigail, and I finally made it to the end, and yeah, it was a great view. 

  We then loaded up and headed the rest of the way down to Canmore. We unloaded again, then grabbed food at the pub below the airBnB. Time to collapse once again.

Jasper Day 1

  Another early start, and I do mean early... out the door at 7am. Breakfast was just bars and bananas as we drove a short ways to Maligne Canyon. 

  We get to the trailhead and park (like three cars, yay!) and as we're getting out of the car a lady walks by and say you can't get on the trail yet due to elk. I'm like... are there park rangers preventing it?... she looks at me and is like... no, the elk are blocking the trail. Not a joke, the elk were right at the entrance, you literally couldn't get to the trail. They were beautiful, but we waited them out and got to the trail while they meandered into the parking lot.

  What do you know... a gorgeous hike along a mountain stream with waterfalls. This hike was a moderate, roughly 6 mile hike that started with a drop down into the canyon, then following the stream with bridges that crossed over it.

  This hike really took it out of us. We were all tired and hungry. We drove into town and Bailley and Abigail went in to order pizza. Madison and I parked and went to buy Advil (and chocolates). I walked to a store to buy some local beer while they all waited on the pizza. Two huge pizzas and bruschetta... and we ate it all. That evidently provided just enough fuel to carry us to the beds for a nap LOL. 

Jasper Travel Day

   Today started early, grabbing a bite and getting gas to head up to Jasper. This is the only day with a hard time to arrive... spa appointments at the Fairmont in Jasper. It was an off and on rainy drive, but the scenery was just phenomenal. The Trans Canada Highway, specifically the Icefields Parkway, really was unbelievable. We made a rule that since we had to get to Jasper by a specific time, we wouldn't stop any, but rather mark places to stop on the drive back, when we could take our time. Well, we quickly broke that rule of course. So many great views and beautiful mountains and lakes with easy access just off the road.

  We made it to Jasper with plenty of time, so grabbed lunch in a diner, where we also took in the Canada Day parade.

  Then we checked into the Fairmont, unloaded bags in the room, and made our way to the spa. We all had some type of procedure and reconvened afterwards. Madison hit the sauna and steam room, while the rest of us went outside to the hut tub.

  

  We walked around the property and looked at all the amenities and just enjoyed the views before driving into town for a quick dinner.

Banff and Canmore Day 2

   We were up early to beat the crowds, grabbing a bagel on the way out of town to Johnston Canyon. A nice drive just past Banff to start another hike.

  This trail was rated moderate, out and back, ~3.5 miles. Maybe we are getting used to the altitude or were better fueled, but this hike seemed much easier. The weather was overcast and there was light rain off and on, but we were hiking regardless. 

  All the way to the lower falls and onward to the upper falls, the trail followed a beautiful mountain stream with many waterfalls.

  I'm glad we actually started early because by the time we were heading down, the trail was getting pretty crowded. We leave there to head back to Banff to relax in a much needed hot spring. We drive through town, up Sulphur Mountain only to be turned around as all the parking was full. Hmm, ok... going to have to take a raincheck on the hot springs. We drive back down into town to get food, walk around, and get souvenirs.  Lunch was Indian. There's a large asian population, southern asian and otherwise. 

  I found a painting, but didn't convince myself to buy it until after finding a magnet and getting ice cream. Back to the gallery, then back to the rental to rest. 

  After a bit of rest, we walk to downtown Canmore... no more than 200 yards... just walking and window shopping before stopping for dinner.

Calgary, Banff, and Canmore Day 1

   We got up... not as late as I would have guessed... but the time change helped an hour. We made our way to a cool little breakfast spot before walking back, packing, and making our way to Banff.

  Before Canmore, the Canadian Rockies just explode upward. Yes, we all kept taking the same picture, but nothing captures the view in person. Our AirBnB is in Canmore, but we couldn't check in until later, so we passed Canmore and went straight to Banff. Neat little town, already crowded with summer tourists... which we just added to. Very walkable downtown with lots of ski chalet vibes. 

  We decided to do our first hike. Was rated moderate, but short. Seemed like a good place to start. So to Tunnel Mountain Trail we walk... and walk... and walk. Finally an actual local notices our confusion and helps us  get there (after more walking). So now, trail :) . It was a beautiful trail that switchbacked from the town all the way up the mountain. I'm not so sure about the moderate-ness of the trail, but the pay off were some spectacular views. We did finally make it to the top, and eventually back down. Whew, time for food. After some good pizza (and beer), we drove back to Canmore to settle into the rental.

  Pretty quickly everyone was down for the count. Abigail and I ran to the grocery store for waters, fruit, and power bars for the upcoming hikes. After that we just relaxed before calling it an early night.

Calgary Travel Day

   Bailley and I flew to Nashville to catch the same flight from Nashville to Calgary. We arrived early enough that we got to try a new brunch spot and then run by and see Abigail's new apartment. So far so good. The only pending issue was a strike that might affect out flight to Calgary.

  We all get to the airport and get board just fine. After a nice flight, we get there a little after 9pm. Sun is still out. After customs/immigration and getting our bags, we hike to the rental car center. 10pm, still not dark. Yeah, we are way north. Only hiccup was the car rental line, but even then, we were punch drunk from the long travel day. 

  We found a close place to eat and grabbed our first poutine amongst other things. From there we drove into Calgary and checked into the hotel and finally collapsed.