Sunday Trip to Banff

[orangejello]

Today I went on my first big all-day trip since my injury. We went to Banff. It was really bittersweet since I used to hike and camp and bike there a lot. But it was also good to get out and see things again. Despite my recent whining about the weather here, I do love living so close to such a beautiful place as Banff. I am feeling kind of melancoly tonight, I admit. But I am glad I went. Life goes on right?

There actually are quite a few very good sight seeing trails that are accessible in Banff. Much more than I expected. Unfortunately though, there was still a lot of snow and ice which limited what paths I could go on. Then the sun came out and turned everything muddy which might have been worse. But I had some very determined companions and they somehow managed to get me through the snow and up some very crazy hills and didn't even complain when they ended up totally covered in mud.


A few pictures. Lake Minnewonka is still frozen which had me a little down a bit but other things are slowly thawing and coming to life again.

[rfbdorf]

Wow. Beautiful country indeed.
- Richard

[betheny]

Wowww. You're lucky to have some accessible trails. I rarely seem to see any.

[Obieone]

I'm glad you went on an excursion OJ ..... but I do understand the bittersweet feeling you allude to! Same thing happens when we go to the lake here at home ..... memories flood back of Bill bustling about doing all that's required to spend a good day fishing or skiing ..... he was so capable and sure of himself I always felt so safe with him ! We still go but clearly its a very different experience ..... on the upside he has the best sleep at night after we've been out like that.

Gee ... everytime I see the Canadian Rockies it takes my breath away ...... every single time ....... maybe Calgary really is gods country ! Try and enjoy them any way you can and as often as you can ... they are truly a gift and tonic for the soul !

Obieone

[Eileen]

Amanda, your pictures are spectacular, and I am so glad that you found a bunch of accessible trails, which will be even more so once things thaw out a little more. I live in a very urban environment, so the beauty of your pictures was amazing. So very pristine and unspoiled. As I write this I am looking at the urban version of spring, which includes the damn plastic bags that have been caught in trees blowing in the breeze until they turn into long shreds of still more disgusting plastic :-)
The memories are sure to have a bittersweet component. When I occasionally drive through the town I grew up in I still sometimes have the thought of how many times I walked those sidewalks, went sledding on that hill, or cut through that patch of woods. I am so glad you got to go though, and to experience such beauty.

[orangejello]

A few more. I have included some of the trails to give an idea about accessibilty. The path beside the river was in great shape and you can follow it a great distance around the townsite. The path beside the lake was in need of some repairs and there was more snow but apparently it allows access to a large part of the lake. The other path I have shown led to a spectacular panoramic view of the Bow Valley. There is a picture of it in the first set. It's a great path but some pretty steep hills and I could see it being an issue in summer when the park is packed with people. But on Sunday we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

I also had an issue with some of the viewing platforms off the paths having stairs leading to them. But for the most part I can say that there are a lot of chair accessible places to allow someone to enjoy Banff.

Thanks KLD a bunch for resizing for me

[orangejello]

I loved the designs people made on the snow on top of the lake with their feet. I don't know that I would have risked going out on the ice but it looks like whoever did it had a lot of fun. Beside the heart spelled out in giant feet letters was a message from a guy to his girlfriend telling her how much he loved her

The young elk surprised us by popping out of nowhere to munch on some grass beside the van as we were pulling out. My mom caught him on her cellphone. He was mellow and didn't seem to care we were there.

[orangejello]

[quote=Eileen] I live in a very urban environment, so the beauty of your pictures was amazing. So very pristine and unspoiled. As I write this I am looking at the urban version of spring, which includes the damn plastic bags that have been caught in trees blowing in the breeze until they turn into long shreds of still more disgusting plastic :-)
quote]

I do know exactly what you are mean. We took another day trip today to a different area outside the city. When we came back I noticed the park fence behind my building's parking lot was covered with plastic bags, slurpee cups, and other trash blown by the wind. After being out in unspoiled wilderness all day it was an extra depressing sight. Most of it will probably be blown away by morning--just to another fence or park

[addiesue]

Great pictures! I'm glad to hear you went out. It's pretty there.

[Eileen]

All those gorgeous pictures and none with you in them? Come on, post one so we can see you in that spot of beauty!!