Memphis to Banff

The trip started out great. Thanks Julia for the transportation. Ended up in First class to Houston -not real sure why.  

Had no time in Houston and without help of one of those battery operated cart,I would never have made it.  We upgraded to economy plus and the extra leg room was great, but the Slovakian street ball hockey team were not. Very loud and rude.  Arrived in Calgary, got our rental and headed out to the Best Western Aiport Inn.  Nice place with nice rooms, comfortable beds and a good breakfast.  Parking was a little difficult

Today is day one of our travel throughout Canada. Left Calgary and headed to TransCanda 1 which would take us to Banff.  And within minutes the scenery changed from big city to country.  Then The Canadian Rockies came into view.

 Oh my, what a beautiful sight and it just got better the further we went.  The Canadian Rockies are  majestic and ragged with sheer peaks.  Some are just pure gray rock with nothing on them and then other are covered with Douglas fur, aspens, loblolly pines and yes snow.

We made a quick run through Canmore (the Gatlinburg of Canada) and on to Banff.  A stop at Banff Welcome Center is a must. Great maps and helpful people.    We drove through Banff and out to Banff Spring hotel.

Wow. What a beautiful hotel.   We stopped and got a sandwich then on up tunnel mountain drive and onto Lake Minnewanka,  Gorgeous drive. Stopped by the lake to eat and while we were eating not far from our car was a bighorn sheep.

He wondered around and ended up right next to the car.  WOW!  Then we looked up behind us and there were several on the hill behind us

After this drive we headed on to the Bow Valley Parkway which parallels the highway up to Lake Louise.  The Fairmount lake Louise is beautiful but not like the Banff Fairmont.  The hotel in Banff is much older was built for the railroad rich and you can tell.  Design wise it fantastic.

We then headed on to Golden for the night stay.  The drive was so beautiful. (See below) No picture can do it justice.  It is so amazing what the human eye sees that doesn't show up in a picture.  This is a very small town and it is known for white water rafting. We stayed at the Best Western Mountain View.  Fantastic hotel, great amenities and wonderful service.  We ate dinner at the Turning Point which was recommended on Trip Advisor.   The few days had really worn Dave and I out so we made it an early night.