Minnewanka Lake, Mt Norquay ski area

Today we went to Minnewanka Lake for a picnic and small hike. It was incredibly beautiful. Besides hiking, there is fishing and boating but I wanted to see the bighorn sheep. There were no sheep to be found despite every tour book telling us we would.

We also saw Two Jack Lake and then Eric wanted to see the Norquay skiing area, which was close by. Everywhere we went, the views were amazing. And finally at the Norquay ski area we saw some bighorn sheep. We have seen plenty of deer and rabbits but I was really after something a bit "wilder" and today Banff delivered!

Lake Louise, Mirror Lake and Moraine Lake

the drive there
Lake Louise










Moraine Lake



Today we drove about 40 miles from Banff to several lakes. Breathtaking and magnificent do not say enough about how incredible these lakes looked. We first went to Lake Louise and the Victoria Glacier. After we viewed the lake, we hiked the Lake Agnes trail. Pearl walked the entire 2 miles up to an area called Mirror Lake, which was another smaller lake. We ate lunch and then headed back down. By the time we got down the trail, Pearl was pretty tired but we headed to Moraine Lake next. It was another fabulous lake with an even more intense blue color. It was a great day.

More Banff

Today we went into Banff proper. Amazingly, the tourist trap town of Banff is located inside the National Park of Banff. The amount of commercialization kind of ruined it for me. But the scenery surrounding the town is spectacular. Another milky turquoise river flowed through the town with the mountains as a backdrop. It was a little cool and rainy, so we made the trip short. Tomorrow and the rest of the week is supposed to be nice weather so we will be able explore more.

Banff

Well, we arrived in Banff. It took about eight hours to get here from CDA. We had an hour wait at the border, so that didn't help things. By the time we got here, everyone was thrilled to be out of the car. The scenery is stunning. The mountains are magnificent and HUGE! Throughout the drive, we saw mountain after mountain and streams, rivers and lakes. There really is no way to describe how incredible the mountains really are. The pictures do the mountains no justice at all.

Carli and I went to the grocery store. $7 for a box of cereal (and actually more because our money is worth less than the Canadian dollar) was a bit shocking. I guess the views have a price!

We then met some friends for dinner. They live in Montana but happened to be here tonight for business. It was nice to catch up.

Tomorrow we will begin to explore the area.

Few More Pics of CDA

Road Trip 2011

We made it to Coeur d' Alene in seven hours and within 15 minutes of arriving, the girls were in the pool. Then in the evening, we went downtown for dinner and walked the waterfront and into a great park. The Fort Sherman playground has been the hit of the trip so far. As a matter of fact, Carli said this has been the best vacation ever because of this playground. So, in other words, don't bother with taking your kids to Paris, Amsterdam, Prague or Vietnam-just visit Fort Sherman Playground in CDA (no passport required).

Today we went for a bike ride around a part of the lake and then got in the car and drove 40 miles north to Sandpoint. It is another quaint, small town with a big lake. We ate lunch, had the required ice cream cone and headed back to CDA. More pool time is in order. We will leave early tomorrow morning for Banff.

London is Calling...

...at least for Eric! Eric touched down in London today. It is his first time there and he has some initial down time to be a tourist before the work begins. He is there for two days and then off to Germany for the annual European outdoor trade show. I have the luxury of hanging back and managing Carli's social schedule. Again, no bitterness! :)