Mountains

I made my first trip to the Alberta mountains this weekend!  So exciting that we can get in the car and be to the mountains in 3 hours, this is a definite first for me.  After work on Friday we headed out to find our accommodations in Canmore.  Canmore is about 15-20 minutes from Banff which I'd been hearing much about but had never seen.  After getting our bearings the first night in Canmore, we hit the road Saturday morning to see Lake Louise.  We saw the winter version of course ;) but I am excited to go back and see it in the different seasons, much like we did with Niagara Falls when we were living so close in Ontario.

We spent the morning there hiking along the edge of the frozen over lake and path just off the lake.  Afterwards we explored inside The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise looking at the shops, photograph history of the hotel along the corridors, and admiring the beautiful architecture in the lobby and hallways.

Once we had our fill at Lake Louise we headed to the town of Banff to get lunch, and explore the town.  After filling our bellies, we strolled along the streets popping into shops, and admiring the views around town with the mountains in the background at pretty much every angle.  With both our legs tired from the miles of walking we had done so far in the day, we headed back to the car to do some sightseeing from the road.  We found were the gondola operated, where the hot springs were, and grabbed handfuls of brochures to take home for any who might be interested in coming for a visit and interested in putting Banff on the itinerary.

Tired and content we headed back to Canmore for the evening, ordering a simple take out dinner and enjoying the hot tubs offered at our own hotel.

Sunday we left the mountains but still managed a full day...working out way back toward Calgary via Bragg Creek where there is a Church of God congregation that meets.  We were able to join them for their morning service before making out way the rest of the way to Calgary for some shopping and then connecting with relatives on Nate's side over dinner.  With another full day under our belts we got back in our car to drive the last leg of the trip...home.

And just like any trip...long or short it was good to fall asleep in our own bed.

But this time dreaming of mountains.