Banff National Park, Part IV and Calgary

For our 5th and final day in Banff we decided to check out the Banff gondola. We got a later start than usual since we needed to pack and get out of our VRBO. We also had an exciting morning as J lost her first tooth! She was worried that the tooth fairy wouldn't know where she was so we held onto the tooth until we got home.

We got to the gondola around 9:45am, and it wasn't too crowded at all (when we left around 11:30am people were parking miles away on the road and had to walk there... definitely go early)!

I didn't realize how expansive the Banff Gondola experience is! To start, we took the 8 minute gondola up the Sulfur Mountain. We were then led into an interactive interpretive center where there were hands on displays, a multi sensory Banff weather theater, and information boards and posters about everything Banff. It was really extraordinary and the kids had a blast. We probably spent most of our time in here since the kids were enjoying it so much.

Up up up!

This is unfortunately the only shot we got of the indoor center! 

We managed to make it out of there and onto the observation deck and Sulfur Mountain boardwalk. The views of the six mountain ranges were stunning. We had such great weather and could see for miles and miles. The boardwalk took us for a nice walk high above the trees where we could have views every which way we wanted. From the 360 observation deck there were even more. Simply amazing!

We went to lunch in Banff before heading out for the drive to Calgary. We wanted to take the kids to the Telus Spark Science Museum before it closed at 4pm. Before we got out of the car though, J lost her second tooth! They were both pretty loose so we knew it was coming. She was so excited!

Calgary's interactive science museum, Telus Spark, is awesome and caters to every age group, plus because it was the end of the day during the week we had the place to ourselves. We all had a blast seeing how high we could jump, watching a drum beat our heartbeat, laying on a bed of nails, watching lights respond to different sounds, designing a cartoon with tangible items, learning how water erodes land, and so much more! Although the most fun the kids had was the outdoor play space called "The Brainasium". The only thing J wanted to do was climb the high ropes course over and over and over again! It's been two months since we were there and she still talks about how she wants to go back.

Calgary

Heartbeat drums

M didn't want to leave the heartbeat machine!

I think I'm in there somewhere with J

Heat sensing pad

Bed of nails!

We checked into our hotel, which by the way couldn't be more convenient to the airport. It is directly across from the baggage pickup! We literally just crossed the street the next morning. We ordered some room service and let the kids veg out a little to some TV. It was an early night for everyone since we had to be at the airport around 5:15am.

This was so weird... the pool was just open in the lobby

Calgary airport had kid stations at almost every gate... the U.S. needs to catch on! 

This was an amazing trip and we're so thankful to have gotten to do it. By this point the kids are pros at traveling and we hope we are opening up their world beyond their own city and state. Is it tiring for us as parents? Yep! It's not a vacation for us with kids.. it's a trip. But life is short and the world is full of wonders. Will they remember the trips? Some yes, some no. But will they remember their years in preschool? Or the playdates they have with friends? Some yes, some no, but you're helping them to learn, grow their minds, and shape their futures by creating these experiences. We hope that we are creating not only a love for traveling and the outdoors, but an understanding of different cultures, languages, and food. Plus, the memories and bonding as a family will last a lifetime! Until the next adventure...

Banff National Park, Part III

We picked a shorter hike for our fourth day in BNP. We wanted to spend some time in the actual town and surrounding area so we chose the Tunnel Mountain Trail. This trail was a total of 2.8 miles uphill, but had a ton of switchbacks which kept it interesting and very doable for everyone.

We got a very early start, which was great for parking and for some emptiness on the popular trail. At first it seemed like a walk in the woods, but after we cleared the tree line we started to get some beautiful views. It took about an hour to get up to the top... there was even a congratulations sign! We had gorgeous views of the town of Banff, the golf course, and surrounding areas.

The start

Almost at the top

Going down took maybe 20 minutes and we then headed to get an early lunch at the Juniper Bistro. We sat outside and had a lovely view of the surrounding mountains. Afterwards, we went back to the house to rest and have some pool time! We then went out to the town of Banff to walk around, shop, and find some dinner. I found a tea shop that had some delicious teas to buy and J found a store that had a train whistle that she wanted. Dinner was super delicious with Jon and I starting the meal with an escargot appetizer served in bone marrow! It was decadent and went well with our much needed drinks!

Another great day had in Banff!

Banff National Park Part II

The next morning we all naturally woke up around 5 and got ready to go on our next adventure for the day. We had plans to hike the Lake Agnes Trail. The trail starts at Lake Louise and goes all the way up to Mirror Lake and then to Lake Agnes. It's 7.6 km (4.72miles) long with an elevation of about 1,422 feet. J had walked about five miles the day before so we thought it would be totally fine!

We started by going back to Moraine Lake for a quick photo op. I had thought that we were just a tad too early the day before and we didn't catch the sun's rays on the teal glistening water. So Jon climbed to the top and took some quick pictures while the girls played by the lake.

We started the hike around 8:15, which was good since this hike is popular. We had given J an old digital camera that we used to use. She likes to take pictures of the scenery around her and that keeps her entertained on longer walks and hikes. So we walked, we hiked, and we climbed for a good hour before we started to wonder how much longer it was until we hit Mirror Lake. It was a never ending uphill climb and we were starting to lose J, and M had enough of the backpack. The girls in front of us decided to turn around since they had other things to do that day. BUT if they had just walked for five more minutes they would have made it to the first stop, Mirror Lake. This was a much needed rest for all of us. It's not nearly as impressive as Lake Louise, but the tranquil setting amongst the alpine trees with their reflection in the water made our hike worth it. The kids played by the water for about 20 minutes and that was enough to recharge everyone to hike the last 20 minutes up to Lake Agnus. Also at the top waiting for us was the Lake Agnus Tea House where I kept telling J that we'd have biscuits and tea next to the lake! And so we set off...

View on the way up

Rest break

Resting at Mirror Lake

About five minutes from the top J decided that she didn't want to walk anymore... she was done! So I took the backpack with M in it, which at this point seemed like it weighed 100 pounds, and Jon carried her the rest of the way. At the top (which ended with two sets of stairs) we made a beeline for the bathroom and then found a nice spot on the rocks next to Lake Agnes. We got some lovely fluffy biscuits with homemade jam, tortilla chips, and different flavored teas. It was an idyllic spot to enjoy this freshly made fare and we stayed for a good hour before deciding to return down. We promised J it would be much faster on the way down (it was) and that ice cream was waiting for her (which we found).

Me negotiating with Julia to get to the top!

Lake Agnus

The Tea House

Yummy biscuits and jam

We drove back to Canmore and rested a bit before spending a couple of hours in the pool, which the kids loved. J has said that while she liked certain parts of the hike she is never doing a hike that long while she is five years old ever again! And I don't blame her! Despite the complaining though, we all had a great time!

We made it back!