Banff

Frank's new company invited us to Banff, Canada 

(along the Alberta Rockies about 80 miles west of Calgary) 

THE...MOST...BEAUTIFUL...PLACE!!! 

Seriously.  This post will be mostly pictures, and they don't even do it justice. 

The first couple nights, we stayed here...

On our way to the hotel, we took a little hike, then headed back to get ready for a nice dinner.  After dinner, the scenery was just so breathtaking that me, Frank, Suzanne, and and Chris played cards outside til dark (sun doesn't set til after 10).  After dark, we still wanted to play, so we found a cool room in the hotel and finished our game...I won, of course!!!

GONDOLA RIDE TO TOP OF CANADIAN ROCKIES

WITH CHRISTIAN AND JESSIE!

SHOPPING IN BANFF 

(with Suzanne and Chris)

then took the scenic route back to the hotel!

For two of the nights, Frank and I were asked to host 3 couples at dinner.  It was fun splitting up into smaller groups to get to know everyone.  Felt like we've known them forever!

When we left the restaurant, someone noticed that me and Mister Moose were sporting the same boots!..."who wore it better?"

The next day, we packed up and headed for Lake Louise, but on our way, took this amazing hike!

And just when we thought it couldn't get any more beautiful, we ended up here...

LAKE LOUISE

with the most beautiful color of water from the glaciers that surround it...stunning!  So really, this was a picture I took while at my table eating lunch...

AFTER LUNCH WE WENT ON A LITTLE CANOE TRIP AROUND LAKE LOUISE

...AND THAT NIGHT WE ENTERTAINED A FEW MORE LOVELY COUPLES...

The next morning, we rented a car with Jessie and Christian...

...and came across this guy...
(30 FEET AWAY...SERIOUSLY?!)
He was staring straight at me.  I was outside the car, but close enough to hop right back in if things went awry :)  He wasn't interested in us.  Just strolling along, eating berries, and occassionally "people watching"!

We continued on our very scenic road trip...



...passing
THE WEEPING WALL

GLACIERS GALORE

IMPRESSIVE WATERFALLS

...until we met our final destination.

A huge mountain of glacier that you could walk right up to.  A little chilly, a bit of a hike, but totally worth it!!!

Made it back in time for our last hoo-rah

GOODBYE LOVELY BANFF!

HELLO, MY THREE LITTLE MUNCHKINS

A HUGE thanks to Franks mom for staying at our house to take care of the kids...(they had so much fun!!)

...and this lazy lard!