Joie de vivre

My Mom came to visit! After a few months of me pestering her to come spend time with me she made the trip out to see my life in Banff.

 Mom and I at Emerald Lake

She traveled with her friend Kathy, who is also one of my honorary aunts. They arrived on a Wednesday, both sporting their very fashionable fanny packs. They stayed in downtown Banff at the Mount Royal Hotel.

Our first stop in Banff was my workplace, The Fairmont Banff Springs. I walked them threw the complicated halls of the Fairmont, and was teased  for my lack of direction when I got us lost. In my defense it’s a giant hotel with a Conference Center, two Stanley Thompson Wings, a dozen restaurants, a gym, a spa, Ball rooms, libraries, and 9 floors of guest rooms. 

After I gave them a magnificent tour of the hotel, we continued to the farmers market in town. The farmers market is on the small side, but most things are in Banff aside from the mountains. From the market we walked down Banff Avenue and wandered through all of the gift shops. As they were both tired from their travels, we had an early dinner at Wild Bills followed by a scenic drive around Lake Minniewanka.

 Please Note: The Awesome Hat, and Fanny Pack

The next day my Mom and Kathy met me at my place, and we prepared our lunch. We then ventured up the Sulphur Mountain Gondola, this turned out to be quite an adventure when my mom suggested we hike down the mountain. All was well on our 2 hour downhill hike until Kathy started to cry 10minutes from the bottom and took off her shoes.  My Mom and I did manage to talk her down step by step until we reach the base of the mountain.   

 Top Of Sulphur

 The Hike Down

We then went to the hot springs, after which we drove along the old Banff High Way to Johnson's Canyon. On the drive we saw 5 bears, including a Momma bear and her three cubs.  

 A Bear!

 Johnson's Canyon Upper Falls

Johnson's Canyon was a beautiful hike; it started along a river and lead us up a catwalk between walls of rocks. There was both upper and lower falls in the canyon. The canyon is one of the most beautiful things in nature I have ever experienced. 

After the long day of exploration and hiking we headed back to downtown Banff and ate at a Thai Grill. As to my Mothers out going and nosey nature, she struck up conversation with the family next to us and they shared stories of adventure. I was sure that family thought I was with my two mothers, and I was happy to have them. My mom then proceeded to fall in love with our Taiwanese server and owner of Thai Grill, which was fine by me as he up sold her on the menu resulting in an amazing dinner for me. After dinner we headed one of the chocolate shops and picked up some Bear Claws, which are like Turtles, but instead are made with cashews.

The next morning I awoke early to prepare our sandwiches and pack for our stay at Chateau Lake Louise. My two Moms picked me up and we headed to the Columbian Icefields. We drove through the park along the TransCanada Highway and stopped at Moraine Lake and the ten peaks along the way. Moraine Lake and then ten peaks used to be the picture on the back of the really really old twenty dollar bill. It took about 2 and a half hours to get to the Icefields. We boarded a giant glacier bus, bundled up and headed out onto a glacier. It was a bit chilly when we got off the bus, so we quickly took some cool pictures and waited to go back to warmth. 

 Moraine Lake

 

On The Bus

 

 Glacier

On our drive to Lake Louise, we stopped at a lot of look outs. We saw the Spiral Train Tunnels, Emerald Lake, Takakkaw Falls, and a Natural Bridge. My favorite was Emerald Lake, which is technically in British Columbia. The water was….. Emerald! And the Mountains framed it perfectly; I can’t wait to visit again. The Musoka Lakes are beautiful and gorgeous in Ontario, but nothing in comparison to the colour and surroundings of the water here. The only unfortunate part is that the lakes are glacier fed making them too cold to swim in. 

 Spiral Tunnels

Emerald Lake

 Takakkaw Falls

 

Natural Bridge

We arrived at Chateau Lake Louise around 8pm that night, and made reservations to eat at Walliser Stube. We had a four course fondue meal, and I had bison. It was great meal, and was nice to relax and unwind with my two moms. 

Dinner With My Moms

After a night with virtually no sleep, because my new mom kept me up all night we hiked up to the Tea House in the mountains surrounding Lake Louise. None of us knew or were told that this hike was 95% up hill, and as time passed I became worried of another crying outburst from Kathy. However, she surprised my Mom and I as she powered through. At the Tea House we had lunch, and then started our climb down the mountain.

 Lake Louise

 The Tea House

After the hike we drove back to Banff, and my Moms took me to get groceries. We went for dinner at the Irish Pub and then my Mom’s left to continue the adventure to my Aunt Laurie’s trailer in Red Dear.

The trip way amazing! Something I will fondly remember. I was able to see the parts of Banff I have been unable to because of work and the lack of a car. I was also able to bond and spend time alone with my Mom as a grown up  and develop a relationship beyond our regular mother and daughter. My favorite part of the trip was becoming friends with my Mom.

I was sad when they left, but the countdown is on for my return home. As excited as I am to return home, I glance at the river I sit beside as I write and am assured I will miss the views and scenery here just as I am currently missing home.