Friday, June 10, 2011

Our Rocky Mountain High - Part 2 (Banff)

The little town of Banff is only about an hour's drive from Calgary - and yet, you could take 5 days to get there. There are no wrong turns when you are driving towards the mountains. Every where you look - every turn you take - leads you to a picture postcard vision of beauty. Is there a limit to the number of times that you can say "WOW!" in one days time?



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Surrounded by mountain parkland and wilderness, Banff is one of the few cities in the world to actually reside within a national park that has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The friendly people of Banff share their home not only with visitors from all over the world - but with the local wildlife. It is not at all uncommon to see deer, elk or moose walking in the middle of the streets or grazing on the flowers in the yards of the local towns people.




The "Jewel of the Canadian Rockies" is the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. This beautiful hotel is an architectural wonder. Both iconic and historical - a visit to this hotel is absolutely a must while you are in Banff.



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(note the view of the mountains reflected in the windows of the hotel)




"~~I felt as though I had just stepped in to the Sound of Music movie and than any minute Julie Andrews and the children were going to come up over those mountains ~~"




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"~~just below the hotel is the spectacular Bow River and Falls. We spent the evening walking the trail that lay beside the river, listening to the rush of the roaring waters and gazing at those incredible snow covered mountains~~ this whole trip just feels like a dream~~"





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"~~I have taken hundreds of pictures - there is no where that I look that is not absolutely breathtakingly beautiful~~"




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~the view of the Banff Springs Hotel from the Bow Falls trail~~




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"~~we drove down to the golf course late in the evening - it was almost dusk. We just wanted to see the golf course as it was situated against the mountains - we had no idea the surprise that would be waiting for us there~~"



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"~~we had parked the car and were snapping pictures like crazy and then we saw them - slowing walking out of the woods next to the golf course~~ we stood motionless as about 30 or 40 elk gradually begin to saunter out of the woods to graze upon the grass~~ I held my breath the whole time!"




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I hope you are enjoying your armchair tour of the Canadian Rockies. I'll be back soon with Part 3 - some amazing photos from Lake Louise, the Chateau Lake Louise Hotel and Victoria glacier. The best is yet to come~~!
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I also just wanted to let you know that we just held our fabulous Ronald McDonald Charity dance and silent auction. So many wonderful and talented artists, blogging friends, and etsy shop owners graciously donated their time and talents in helping me with items for the silent auction. I am working on those photos now and I can hardly wait for you to see the amazing creations that these folks donated for our worthy cause. I'll be posting about that just as soon as we finish our tour of the Rockies~~


Vicki

36 comments:

Sherri said...

Vicki, I have been to Banff National Park and Lake Louise! I loved it there. The color of the water of Lake Louise is just amazing!! Can't wait to see you next group of pictures, these were fabulous!!

Mieke'S said...

What a beautiful pictures.
I love Canada.
I visited two times.
Jasper, Lake Louise, Atabasca waterfalls.

http://thankfullga447 said...

Thank you for sharing, the Rockies are so beautiful. I almost felt I was right there with the both of you.

Unknown said...

so, so lovely! sigh...

PoetessWug said...

Breath-takingly beautiful photos, Vicki! Especially the ones with the Elk, with the mountains in the background. I would have been holding my breath too!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

The Rockies are magnificent in both Canada and the US. The word "breath-taking doesn't even come close to describing them.

Lyn said...

Wow what a spectacular place, that looks like such a great place to visit....maybe one day!
xxx

Lili said...

Oh how breathtakingly beautiful Vicki! I want to to there and stay in that hotel!! Those snow capped mountains are such a stunning backdrop, it looks like a very magical place. And you say the best is yet to come? I'm staying tuned for that! xoxo ~Lili

Thistle Cove Farm said...

I am SOOOOOO envious! Dave and Cathy, his first wife, went to Banff, Lake Louise, etc. and he's raved about it for all the years we've been together. (Cathy passed away the year before Dave and I met.) Your photos are fabulous so, yep, it's on my list of place to visit...soon!

Mereknits said...

Vicki, such beautiful pictures, so glad you had a wonderful trip.
Meredith

Anonymous said...

We moved to Colorado 3 years ago and there is so much beauty to see here!! You photos captured the beautiful perfectly!!

bee blessed
mary

The French Bear said...

Oh my, you are soooo close to me, Banff is my special place to go to...The Dutchman and were married on the side of the mountain as you enter the town...by the Mayor of Banff, so we go there to escape out hectic lives every year!!!! You were also in my fav city of Calgary at Gina B's no less...I love her store! There is an awesome yarn store in Canmore, Knit and Kaboodle!!!
You are only three hours or so from me!!!! I do hope you are having a wonderful time....
Hugs,
Margaret B

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

The pictures are beautiful and now I can't get John Denver's song, Rocky Mountain High out of my head.

yaya said...

The summer after I graduated high school my folks took the usual summer camping trip and they went to Banff..but I had to miss it because I had just started my new job..their pics were so beautiful too and I could have cried to have missed it. I hope to get there someday, but now after seeing these amazing shots, I feel like I've made it! Even if it's been 40yrs since graduation! Thanks!

Lululiz said...

Incredible scenery, leaves me speechless.

fromsophiesview said...

You captured Banff and all it's beauty with this post.The mighty Bow River is just mesmerizing. Banff Springs Hotel is absolutely gorgeous as you found out. Now I'm waiting for Lake Louise because I know what to expect..thanks for this. I now know I need a mountain fix pronto!

Sandies' Patch said...

Well, here's another WOW!
You'll wear your camera out!
Thanks for sharing.

Sandie xx

Julie Whitmore Pottery said...

The hills are alive.....
Was that tree living with all the roots showing?
My husband would love this, he wants to go to Canada. I'm going to show him tonight
xx
julie

teach4fun said...

I love them, what wonderful memories. It makes me want to go back! Thanks so much for sharing and I cant wait to hear stories. Doug took me to the golf course two times to try to see elk and never did...what great shots!

A Scattering said...

You have developed quite a knack with the reflection shots - they're great fun! I've never been to Banff or Lake Louise but now I feel like I've seen the best sites through your eye/lens.

Donna said...

It looks absolutely fabulous Vicki!!! Wonderful photos...you are like a travelog!!!

Esme said...

This is truly one of Canada's treasures. PS I love Kerri Beth's skirt.

Lois Evensen said...

What a photographer's wonderland!

Thank you for sharing.

Best,
Lois

Carole said...

WOW WOW WOW
Is that too many???? lol
I can only imagine how much prettier it is in person!

xx
Carole

Bonjade said...

Oh indeed how amazing this is....
Just like a dream like you said...
So beautiful, how georgeous our nature in the world is....
We should be so proud on it....
Look forward to part 3
Fine new week

Nella said...

Wow!! It's stunning...

Anonymous said...

It's all so very beautiful, Vicki!!! It reminds me a little of Estes Park, Colorado! I would love to see Banff one day in person! :)
Hugs,
Zuzu

SuZeQ said...

Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. I feel like I was right there with you. Such beauty everywhere you look. LOVE the picture of you and The Gardener standing with the tree and the grazing elk. Delightful. Can't wait to see Part Three!

sjmcdowell said...

Dearest Vicki,

Thank you for posting about your trip to the Canadian Rockies. I have never been there but would love to one day. I lived in Colorado for many years and loved visiting the Rocky mountains every chance I had. I always felt refreshed of mind,body and spirit when I left the city behind.
I would feel the spirit of God much stronger when I was in the mountains...even the mountains of Scotland. Maybe you both could visit Scotland one day.You would absolutely love it!!
I loved seeing you and your hubby in the pictures you both look so great!!

Love and Hugs to you both,

Susan
P.s. Thank you Vicki for visiting my blog the other day. The ocean wave cuff was actually made while thinking of you because of your love of the ocean!!

ciao bella

Kathy @ Sweet Up-North Mornings... said...

Wow Vicki...the Golf course!!!!
I lost my mind, Dave would have had a siezure.
He's probably golfing heavenly style as we speak.
An amazing trip...
breathtaking!
I want your sweater...
xoxo~kathy @
sweet Up-North Mornings...

knitalatte said...

Vicki, Gorgeous photographs. I especially like the one with the reflection of the mountains in the Hotel window, so pretty. You and the Gardner look so happy, I'm sure the dream like quality of this trip will stay with you both for a while.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, Vicki!!! These pictures are breathtaking!!! I believe you have found heaven on earth ... Perhaps I will show these to my hubby with a hint for an anniversary getaway idea. I have no doubt my mom and dad would love it there also! Thank you for sharing your adventure with us and I so look forward to part three! Warmest of hugs, I send your way!

Silke Powers said...

Dear Vicki, this is so stunning! You know, this is a trip I took with my mother in 1985, right before I moved to the US! It was so long ago, but I remember very well many of the places you showed us. I just love how much you travel and how much you share with us! Hope you are doing great!! Love, Silke

Jagger said...

Wow that is absolutely STUNNING!!!

I would LOVE to go!

www.jasminplease.blogspot.com
xx

A Scattering said...

Who is that princess in blue by the lake!?

Marsha said...

Oh my gosh! The photos are incredible...I love the elk! Thank you so much for sharing your travels....