Visiting Canmore

Earlier this summer Christina and I took a couple of trips to Canmore. We never intended to make two trips but opportunity and a celebration led us there.

In mid winter I was searching for a cheap vacation trip and on the Groupon Vacation site I found a fantastic deal for off-season in the Rockies. I swooped it up and come late May we found ourselves at the Windtower Lodge and Suites.

The hotel location wasn't what I would call central but in Canmore it doesn't really matter too much. We actually really liked the location as the walking path to downtown was along the scenic Policeman's Creek Boardwalk  exiting at the 'Big Head'.

After exploring the downtown for some time we took a short drive for a hike along a dried up gravel creek bed - Grotto Canyon Hike. It's an easy hike with very little grade but I wouldn't recommend it for the very young or aged. The uneven rocks will just eat up ankles. 

Our second trip to Canmore was specifically for a wedding of an old colleague and mutual friend of Christina and myself.  This time we ended up staying at the charming Georgetown Inn. This Tudor style hotel hosting the wedding supper was an apt choice as the bride to be is English born and still converses with an accent.  

Chrissy and I woke up early on Saturday for a picturesque walk and big breakfast then got all gussied up for the wedding ceremony on a hill overlooking town. 

The weather was almost as beautiful as my date.

I really enjoy outdoor weddings. Something about it seems more informal and much more congenial. 

Love the car battery power source

After a long night of celebrating and talking Redwings hockey (much to Chrissy's dismay) we woke up a little late to do any ambitious hikes. So instead we went back to one of our favorite spots; Lake Minnewanka for a shoreline walk.

Thanks Karen and Zac for allowing us to be a part of your big day. We wish you many happy and healthy years together.

Relaxing in Banff (Chrissy Sojourn Part 2)

The second day of our roadtrip found us battling a ridiculously thick fog before arriving in beautiful Banff. It wasn't so long ago since we were in the town but with a great deal on Groupon we found the pull irresistible.

We walked around the town for a couple of days just following the bow river and skirting Lake Minnewanka stopping to enjoy the scenery and take some pictures.

Posing so innocently

Along the river and on to the golf course we came across a few elk enjoying the fresh new grass of the fairway boxes. They were a little skittish and threatened to charge us with a couple of stamps so we gave them their distance.

Distance = Perspective and I took the opportunity to prove that I am the dominant species by pretending that I could consume a full elk in one bite. Take that Wapiti!

Surprisingly the water by the river was quite low. I thought it would be gushing this time of year but I guess the frost and snow in the mountains hasn't had the big melt yet.

I took the opportunity to goof around with the rocks and made a statement in the riverbed visible for Chrissy on the bridge. 

Professing my feelings to all the trolls and bridge dwellers earned me a special trip to the Banff Avenue Brewing Company brewpub. I chose to sit outside and enjoy the best Cream Ale I have ever had.

Christina obliged my outside request in her own manner.

After all the walking we were a little hungry so we ordered some appetizers. We were pleasantly surprised by the appetizers list and completely blown away when it arrived. Here we have "Honey Glazed Duck Confit Sliders with Camembert Cheese" and "Calamari with a Sweet Onion and Wasabit Sauce".  Both were ridiculously good.

After a couple of long days relaxing and eating we needed to unwind....really it's true. We filled up our thermos with some beer and headed to the outside hot tub at our hotel: The Inns of Banff.

Not a bad way to end the day.

Next post: Hanging out at the Big Castle (Banff Springs Hotel)

Banff and Lake Minnewanka

Christina and I on the way out of Banff stopped by Lake Minnewanka before heading back to Edmonton. Lake Minnewanka is  glacial lake located in the eastern area of Banff National Park in Canada about five kilometres northeast of the Banff townsite. The lake is 28 km long and 142 m (466 ft) deep, making it one of the largest bodies of water in the Rockies.

Being that it is so deep and glacier fed the water in summer only gets a few degrees higher than freezing. After only a minute with your feet in the shallows you have to pull them out as they get so cold. The lake was completely clear and the setting was great.

A great thing about mountain lakes is all the flat shale for skipping rocks. I was overwhelmed when I found the perfect skipping stone.

More fun at the lake.

That is it for Banff. We'll be back.