Last day! We had our airport shuttle pickup in Banff so we went back there for the morning. To cap the trip we decided to do the Banff Gondola which was really amazing! It was super cold but really cool sky / views.
Some more shopping and off to the Calgary airport and then home. An amazing trip
Early morning hike near our condo in Canmore
In and around Canmore (Canmore a great town just outside Banff National Park)
Today we went to Moraine Lake. When we were here with the kids back in the 20-teens we drove right into the parking area. Now you cannot get in without a pass. We got a free pass with canoe rides from the lodge we were staying at so that worked out amazing!
Canoe Ride on the Lake
Hike to the Larch Valley
Today our target was Lake Louise. It’s now very difficult get parking up at Lake Louise so thankfully Kelly and I were doing a horseback trip and we could park there!
Horseback Ride - Amazing!!!
Kelly and Sue had afternoon tea at the hotel while Pat and I had lunch on the patio.
This was our lodging for the next 3 days -Cathedral Mountain Lodge
Today, we explored some site near the lodge. Emerald Lake, natural bridge, and Takakkaw Falls.
From Vancouver we boarded the only passenger train allowed to journey on the rail line from Vancouver to Banff. This would be day 1 of 2 on The Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Kamloops.
Day 2
Kamloops to Banff
Kelly and I have been planning a trip to Canada since earlier this year with Pat and Sue. We called it Canada 50/50 since in turned 50 and this year it was Pat and Sue’s 50th wedding anniversary.
We met up in Seattle and then flew into Vancouver. We spent half a day in Vancouver before we get on the train day 2. In retrospect having another full day in Vancouver would have been nice so much to see.
The high pressure system continued in Alaska through the remainder of the week, and while we didn't get off the ship much due to work, their were still some good photo ops from the ship and in and around the port areas.
Sitka (Wed Sept 20)
It looked like a nice area to do some kayaking or fishing!
Ketchikan (Thurs Sept 21)
This was our original target debarkation port, however due to a US customers and border patrol rule called the Jones Act we were not able to debark. I took a couple hour break and walked around town, getting some items for the kids.
Hunter loves airplanes and their were a ton of float planes going in and out so made numerous attempts to get a video of one coming in passing by the ship.
Victoria BC (Friday Sept 22)
Friday was mostly a day at sea but the ship did hit Victoria BC around 6 pm where it stayed until 11 pm before making its last short leg to Seattle for Saturday morning. We had been working all day so I decided to get off for a walk around town to stretch my legs. Took this first shot just by the beach near the port. The second shot is of the BC capital building as dusk descends.
