Banff

 We took the gondola in the town of Banff to the top of a mountain called Sulfur Mountain.  We had a glorious 360 degree view of the surrounding area.

 This is the Bow River flowing through Banff.  It is the same river that flows through the city of Calgary about an hour's drive to the east, and eventually ends up in Hudson Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.  Yes, that is a golf course winding along the river.  It's part of the Banff Fairmont Hotel Resort.

 Another view from the top. Unlike our National Parks, there are ski resorts in these mountains and the town of Banff is in the park.  I'm not sure how they regulate all that.

 This is the little hut on the top of the peak where Norman Bethune Sanson climbed to observe and record weather data for many years.  He did it summer and winter, sometimes on snowshoes and sometimes taking nine hours to make the climb.  I want to read more about him and his adventures.  We were glad it was a beautiful clear day in the summertime.

 This is the Banff Fairmont Hotel and was very impressive.  It looks a little like a grand old castle and is beautifully landscaped and cared for.  Rooms were a little pricey for our budget, however.

 Two RCMP's riding down the street in Banff---a great photo op.

 Chris, Linda's son-in-law, told us not to miss this beautiful site.  It is called Moraine Lake and The Valley of the Ten Peaks and is every bit as beautiful as the picture.  The water was this gorgeous blue/green color and the mountains were breathtaking.  It is much photographed and much painted.

 The man who offered to take this picture for us handed back the camera and said "There's your Christmas card picture."

These little rock monuments were found here and there and momentos of them were in the gift shops.  They have some Native American meaning, or First People, as they seem to call them in Canada.