424 - Banff tour day

Day 424 was a very emjoyable day in Bannf. I was awake early at 6:30 worrying te irls would not get up and off to test days and finally at 7:30 text them. No answer finally at 8:45 I called Britt who was indeed in class ready to wrote her test so they did make it. I went back to sleep until 10! Britt had an Science test while Shaina wrote her Biology diploma test.

After we were up and showered it was time to tour Banff, like we did 22 years ago on the same day. Tims was the number one stop for the day then a hike at Bow falls then lunch at Magpie and Stump continued the day.

wee deer just cruising around above and tunnel mountain in the background below

Then it was a driving tour of the loop past the golf course, Tunnel mountain loop and lake Minnewanka loop. There I found the two jack campground I would like to stay at. By now we had seen a deer, elk, many mangy mountain goats and only wanted to see a bear.. sure enough just after I said that we turned a corner to find a few cars stopped and yes it was a bear!

 at the hoodoos

 hoodoos and tunnel mountain

 elk

 Lake Minnewanka stretch

 the enclave and scally wag mountain goats just cruising all along beside drivers below

below our black bear spotting

By now it was around 3 pm and we started towards home taking the old 1A highway. We found the Nakoda lodge which looked like a nice place to stay sometime. We continued on stopping back at Cole's at 4:30. After snacks and beverages we headed to Van Gogh's for supper. Good friends and lots of laughs were enjoyed and we finally left at 9 pm. We were back at the ranch by 10 where Britt was sacked out and Shaina had just left for Standard sports day fun night sleeping in a tent with Kate. A hot tub for me and TV for Sheldon before hitting the sheets.