Finally getting around to my final BANFF post!! It’s been a busy few weeks here at home…so I am now just finding a little time to sit down and share the rest of my photos from this epic trip with my dad.
On our last full day in Alberta, we decided to spend most of our time in Banff. We drove the easy 25min drive from Canmore to Banff and went on a river rafting cruise that my dad had pre-planned!! I was too nervous to take my camera out on the Bow river, so I only have iphone pics of that experience…but it was epic! So beautiful, so serene, and so awesome seeing the mountains and trees from the water. I really have to thank my dad for planning that all out, reserving tickets, finding the meeting place, and organizing that for us. He’s the best!
After river rafting, we walked on up to the famous Banff Fairmont Springs Hotel to get a little taste of luxury.
This place looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie and was just as epic on the inside as it was on the outside. We walked through the lobby and the gift shop…and out to the back deck to get a nice view.
God really blessed us with the clearest skies and best weather imaginable!! We even got to see some horse back riders cross the river…adding that to the to-do list for next time!
For lunch we stopped in town for some Burgers at Eddie Burger Bar and OF COURSE had to order the POUTINE!!! It would not be a trip to Canada without some fries slathered in gravy and topped with cheese curds…YUMMMMM.
There is one main shopping street in Banff that is perfect for buying some souvenirs or checking out a rustic looking McDonalds.
After lunch and a walk around town…it was time to head up to the BANFF GONDOLA!! When we parked at the upper lot all I could think was…”is this not the most scenic parking lot ever???”
We arrived at the entrance to the Gondola and…my dad **BEING THE AWESOME DAD HE IS** pre bought our tickets and had everything planned out so I did not have to lift a finger. #spoiled. He researched and learned that during busy season the ticket line for this can be up to 2 HOURS LONG!!!! So he made sure to get ours beforehand just in case.
It was about an 8 minute ride up to the top (VERY HIGH UP) and we made it to what I concluded as the MOST EPIC VIEW IN ALL OF ALBERTA…
See that little building down there?? That’s the Fairmont Springs Hotel that we were at earlier in the day!! It was crazy seeing it from so far away haha!!
Like I said…we could not have asked for more perfect weather. Sunny, a little breezy…clear skies for miles!
At the top of the Gondola ride there is an awesome learning center, restaurants, gift shop…and my favorite part….this wooden bridge trail that leads to another peak. It is so well make, so well taken care of, and just the most beautiful lookin thing!
A postcard at every turn.
The wooden trail …how cool is this!??
Shout out to TEVAS for making the best sandals (lightweight, comfy, waterproof and most importantly…able to be worn with socks!! hehe)
Cool igloo at the outer deck of the building.
Me, my camera, and my trusty Patagonia jacket that has lived with me through three winters in Japan and now a trip to Alberta :)
CAN’T GET ENOUGH OF THIS VIEW
I love my dad!
We spent a good hour or two at the top…and honestly, we could have stayed longer had we eaten at a restaurant or went down more of the trails. The ticket to the top isn’t cheap - but it’s 100% worth it in my opinion!! We cruised back down the gondola and decided to hit up one more lake on our way back to Canmore.
Lake MINNEWANKA….yes, like Willy Wonka haha! This lake was on our way back to Canmore and since we had heard good things about it…we decided to check it out.
Beautiful water and an awesome dock to walk out on.
So surreal!!
After seeing Lake Minnewanka…we drove back to Canmore for a relaxing evening. We ate dinner in town (pasta) and did some more shopping (I bought socks). We were flying out the next day so we also stopped by the supermarket to buy some last minute Canadian snacks to take home! Perfect end to the trip.
OH!!! I almost forgot…on our last night I told my dad that I could not leave Canada without trying BEAVER TAILS!!!!! I had seen this stuff all over instagram and knew I had to check it out…drumrollllll…..
****OMMGGGGGGG***** right!??!?! Basically this place BEAVER TAILS sells these crazy sweets that actually do kind of look like what they’re named after…and they are funnel cake like pastries slathered with Nutella or any other amazing option on the menu. I opted for the Nutella and banana and it DID NOT DISAPPOINT. This thing was incredible and it was the perfect way to end an epic trip to Canada :)
Well folks, that about wraps it up!
Thanks for the memories, Dad…where to next?!?