Follow the adventures of Paul Pitzers and Grace Pitzer

Canadian Rockies

7/5/2019

Banff and Surrounding Areas

June 29, 30, and July 1

We left Waterton Lakes for Canmore where we stayed, just outside Banff, for three nights. On the way we made a stop at the Bellevue Underground Coal Mine where we put on hard hats and head lamps for a walking tour into the entry tunnel. The mine has been closed for many years, and is representative of the many coal mines in the area. The next stop was to visit with the owner of a jerky shop where a three generation family makes all kinds of jerky, which they sell all over the world. Samples were good and we made a small purchase.

During our two day visit to the Banff National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, we visited many lakes and falls. Among them was Lake Minnewanka, which is behind a dam and is glacier fed. We drove past the Banff Springs Hotel and stopped at Bow Falls. Our guide surprised us with a trip up the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain for a stunning 360 degree view of six mountain ranges and the Bow Valley. This was something Paul would absolutely NOT have done on his own, but he steeled all his nerves and climbed in the four-passenger gondola, scared stiff. He should have looked up hill, but he was looking over the valley, all the way to the top, at 7,510 ft. From the top there was a good view of the Banff Springs Hotel and the Bow Falls and Bow River as well as the whole down town.

Our second day in Banff was July 1, which was “Canada Day.” This is like our 4th of July, and Canadians celebrate it in similar ways. We got into town early to secure a parking place for the bus, and our positions along the street to view the parade, which started at 11:30 and lasted about a half hour. It featured the some of the Royal Mounted Police (not mounted,) a bagpipe group, a band, and representatives from many of the ethnic groups in the area including the First Nations people. It was a beautiful sunny day.

After the parade and lunch we drove out to Lake Louise and the Victorian Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. The lake was very popular tourist spot so there were crowds of people along the shore and in canoes on the lake. In the evening we were back in Canmore for dinner and the night, getting ready to leave in the morning for Jasper.

Next, drive along the Icefields Parkway and Jasper.