Listen, people, I thought I liked to sleep in, but J and B are hard to roust. B gets up earlier, but the elusive J is not seen before 10 a.m. 😴
Up we go! I can't remember how long it's been since I was last here? Maybe 12 or 15 years? I came with Mom and Dad and Monica a long time ago. Somewhere, I have a poorly lit picture they took of us when we got on the gondola. For Joe, it's been the 40 years since we were here with Tove & Phil. Did we go up here? I think so. But I don't know that any photographic evidence of our trip back then exists, and my memory is fuzzy. (Joe says we did. And that the visitor center was small, and there were billy goats that we were allowed to feed. I think that must be where we bought that silly boxed bear souvenir. Distant memories now.)
We take the boardwalk stroll out to the Cosmic Ray Station. The cosmic rays do not turn us into superheroes, although some people are lingering so long in the prime photo spot that we presume that's what they're waiting for: their transfiguration into the Photogenic Four. Sadly for all of us, it never happens for them, but they do eventually move on.
True, I usually sleep in on Saturdays, but not usually when there's opportunities for a-doings and transpirings while on vacay. Time's a-wasting, people!
By 11:30, we finally decided we were going to Banff today. It's a bit later than I'd like, especially on a Saturday, but it's still only March and hopefully it won't be too busy.
First stop is to gas up at the Coop before leaving. 118.9 per litre. Why is your gas more expensive, Cowtown, why? Oh well, this isn't a solar-powered car, so it'll have to do.
By 11:30, we finally decided we were going to Banff today. It's a bit later than I'd like, especially on a Saturday, but it's still only March and hopefully it won't be too busy.
First stop is to gas up at the Coop before leaving. 118.9 per litre. Why is your gas more expensive, Cowtown, why? Oh well, this isn't a solar-powered car, so it'll have to do.
We program the GPS to take us to Banff Sulphur Mountain Gondolas, then hit the road. It's a nice drive to Banff from Calgary, once you actually get out of town, and around the construction truck that is driving so so sloooow.
When we're in the mountains, but before Canmore, we stop at that spot with the turnout where everyone stops. Lac des Arcs, I think.
When we're in the mountains, but before Canmore, we stop at that spot with the turnout where everyone stops. Lac des Arcs, I think.
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| Lac des Arcs |
There are lots of people standing on the ice. OMG what fools, B says. What if the ice breaks? They are dead, that's what. I contemplate doing my best Christopher Walken and running out there yelling "the ICE is gonna BREAK!" But I don't, because probably no one would get it, and it would just make it weird.
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| Ice, ice, baby! |
We stop and take some pictures of us. Then a woman approaches, hands me her cell phone, and asks me to take photos of her. She is the first of many who will do this. (Aussie girls, bear family, bridal party.)
After our brief photo stop, we head into Banff and to the gondola station. Parking is a challenge. (Sadly, that's typical of Banff.) On the upside, once we've actually found a parking spot, there are no lineups outdoors, just two kiosks indoors. I like this early-season, less busy Banff.
Joe has no concept of costs, so it's fortunate for him that I'm paying. He thinks the gondola tickets up may cost about $20. More, I say. 25? No. It costs me $250 to buy three tickets, plus a pre-paid lunch at the Northern Lights cafeteria. Ouch.
Joe has no concept of costs, so it's fortunate for him that I'm paying. He thinks the gondola tickets up may cost about $20. More, I say. 25? No. It costs me $250 to buy three tickets, plus a pre-paid lunch at the Northern Lights cafeteria. Ouch.
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| In the Sulphur Mountain Gondola |
Up we go! I can't remember how long it's been since I was last here? Maybe 12 or 15 years? I came with Mom and Dad and Monica a long time ago. Somewhere, I have a poorly lit picture they took of us when we got on the gondola. For Joe, it's been the 40 years since we were here with Tove & Phil. Did we go up here? I think so. But I don't know that any photographic evidence of our trip back then exists, and my memory is fuzzy. (Joe says we did. And that the visitor center was small, and there were billy goats that we were allowed to feed. I think that must be where we bought that silly boxed bear souvenir. Distant memories now.)
The visitor station at the top has been upgraded since we were last here. There are several floors, with two indoor restaurants (we have lunch tickets for the cheaper one), a bunch of indoor exhibits, and fabulous balcony views outdoors.
Not only that, they have a plastic igloo that is quite toasty warm in spite of the wintry weather, a few outdoor fireplace-tables, and a mirrored bear. What's not to love?
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| End of the trail, by the Cosmic Ray Station |
Back to the visitor center, where we go to the Northern Lights Cafe for lunch. It's a buffet lunch, and we grab whatever we want, and sit down by big windows with snowy mountain vistas outdoors. Good times!
After that, we head back down, and they take our photos before we go. Expensive souvenir ahoy! But I have to say, the photo quality has improved, and besides, I like a souvenir, so I buy one.
Then it's back to Banff townsite, where we wander through some of the stores (always like the Rock and Gems stores), check out the souvenir shops, and enjoy some scenery by the riverside before heading back to Calgary.
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