Banff 3

While in town, we headed to the Banff Springs Hotel for a quick look. It is a former railway hotel built by the Canadian Pacific Railway between 18887 and 1888. It is styled as a Scottish Baronial Castle.
The lobbyA grand staircase
The bride and groom practice a regal pose

Banff 2

We headed from the gondola's upper terminal down the Banff Skywalk. This was a breathtaking 1km walk.
A peek through the trees
Meg soaking it inNolan, Lindsey and Meg. Doesn't it look like someone rolled in a Hollywood backdrop?On the way to Sanson's Peak
Looking at the town of Banff. For reference, the small "hill" in the center (nearest to the river has an elevation of over 1600 meters or 5,250 feet).Looking south from the SkywalkThe upper terminal from Sanson's Peak. It has a restaurant, gift shop and great observation decks.Nolan, me, Meg and LindseyAccording to the gondola's website...Norman Sanson first climbed the mountain on snowshoes in 1896 in order to record weather observations for the Banff area. In the summer of 1903, a trail was built from the Banff Upper Hot Springs and a stone observatory was constructed on the summit ridge (still standing today on the peak to the northwest). During the next thirty years of his life, Sanson hiked to the top of the mountain over one thousand times and made one of his last hikes up the steep, three-mile trail in the summer of 1945, at the age of 84!
The view from 2,281 meters (7,486 feet) above sea levelReturning to the upper terminalThe 4 person gondolasLindsey prepping for the ride downThe gondola trip takes 8 minutes. It has a total elevation gain of 698 m (2,292 feet) with an average incline of 51%

Banff

After landing in Calgary, we were picked up by Mr. Rutsch, Mrs. Rutsch, Nolan and Lindsey. Then we headed 1.5 hours west to Banff. The town is a cute ski village with great shops and restaurants. It's also home to the Banff Gondola.

Parking lot view, not too shabby
Mr. Rutsch's next vehicle
Lindsey and Nolan enjoying the gondolaStarting to understand why the area is a UNESCO World Heritage SiteMeg taking it inLindsey not enjoying the gondola anymoreView from the top, the warning seemed a little obvious to meenjoying 360 degree views from the decks

Looking down at the town of BanffThe Canadian RockiesNolan and Lindsey (with a telescope that totally looks like a robot friend)
Don't feed the bighorn sheepMeg at the beginning of the scenic trail
Can you see the little tower on top? That's where we're headed next.

Canada

If you ever get a chance to go to Alberta, DO IT!
The landscape is beautiful from the towering Canadian Rockies in Banff to the rolling yellow fields of canola in Sylvan Lake. But Alberta was full of something even more gorgeous than that. It was filled with some of the most friendly, generous, sincere and welcoming people I have ever met.

Pictures to come!

ALBERTA OR BUST!

I'm leaving on a jet plane for Alberta, Canada to celebrate the wedding of Lindsey and Nolan!

Here's a pic of the bridesmaid outfits. Just kidding...or am I?
I know it's not advised to post that you're leaving the country. But if anyone breaks in, they'll find Shawn knee deep in Fruity Pebbles and beef jerky. Frankly, I'd enjoy a picture of that.