Day 7

We thought we had slept in until 7.00am but discovered that Banff (Alberta) is an hour ahead of Vancouver (British Columbia) so in reality we were up at 6.00am.

First stop was the information centre to double check a couple of things. Then off down the Bow Highway to Johnston Canyon and Falls. We started off wearing jackets as it was only 13 degrees C and with the narrow canyon walls not letting in a great deal of direct sunlight it was a little nippy. First stop the lower falls. Here you can take photos from a little walk bridge before going through an open ended cave to get a close up view of the falls. By now the weather had warmed up and off came the jackets.

Continuing on to the upper falls. Here there is a narrow walk way where you have to take your turn to get the best photo opportunity of the falls. It was here that Margaret experimented with the panoramic function on her Iphone camera (once started she was trying it at each suitable opportunity during the day) and it gave a good shot of the height of the falls at close range.

On the walk back we came across a red squirrel but he was in training for the Olympics and he was running around like greased lightning. A little further on we were pleased to meet another local inhabitant, a cute little chipmunk (about the same size as a squirrel). If you hear a chittering sound you know the squirrels are letting their mates know that "humans" are about. Our little chipmunk (He/she) was much more laid back and was allowing passers-by to get a photo of him/her.

Once back at the car we headed off to Boom Lake. As this was going to be a reasonable hike and the weather by now had warmed up considerably we started off but as there was nothing to see until we reached the end (3 km down the track) we decided to go somewhere else. Next stop Sunshine. This is a ski village still quite busy by the number of cars in the carpark. We then discovered to do the walks here we had to pay $29 each to get the bus to the starting point. Guess what we decided??

Back into Banff to the hostel to make some lunch. (we even snuck in a quick afternoon nap as it was still quite warm outside). We then checked out the Tunnel Mountain track and stopped to take photos looking down on the Bow River and a rock formation known as the Hoodoos. From this track you can see through to the majestic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (no photos today as the sun was in the wrong position).

Back into Banff and check out the gondola ride up Sulphur Mountain. We decided that this was a trip for tomorrow when the light would be better for photos. So off to check out the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Wow!!! It is huge. Unfortunately, as we were already booked into the Hostel International Banff we will have to come back and stay when we win gold lotto (Neil and Lauren if it is a big enough win we will bring you with us!) Just remind us to take a ticket!

More walking took us to Bow Falls. Not a large fall but the water certainly travels fast and would be great for daredevil kayakers who like paddling the rapids. More walking along the Bow River as it runs through town. Margaret put her hand in the beautiful clean water and was able to confirm the pretty green colour represents the chill of the water.

That is it for our day. Hope you enjoy the photos.