{"id":2231,"date":"2017-06-24T20:19:10","date_gmt":"2017-06-24T20:19:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=2231"},"modified":"2017-07-10T14:42:23","modified_gmt":"2017-07-10T14:42:23","slug":"beautiful-banff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2017\/06\/24\/beautiful-banff\/","title":{"rendered":"Beautiful Banff"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>As Steph was researching where all to go on our summer trip she reached out to many friends asking for advice. \u00a0One of our friends from the &#8216;hood were also heading in that direction and it seemed would be in the Banff area about the same time we were. \u00a0So we made sure to align our Canadian Rockies visit with the Tillery family. \u00a0We decided to meet up for a hike in Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park at 0900 to try to avoid at least some of the crowds. \u00a0Being a 1.5 hour drive from our campground to the the trailhead meant a super early morning for our family. \u00a0But we made it and were able to find our friends in the sea of visitors.<br \/>\n<a title=\"The whole gang\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/136797225@N05\/34707672523\/in\/album-72157682627411103\/\" data-flickr-embed=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/c1.staticflickr.com\/5\/4286\/34707672523_4c119e5b18_z.jpg\" alt=\"The whole gang\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" \/><\/a><script async src=\"\/\/embedr.flickr.com\/assets\/client-code.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>The really cool thing about the Canadian national parks is that it seems they are much more dog friendly than in the US. \u00a0This trail allowed dogs as long as they were on a leash. \u00a0So Sheba was delighted that she got to come along. \u00a0However, the trail is very narrow which, combined with the crazy number of people on the trail, made Sheba a bit nervous at times. \u00a0But she did very well for the most part and seemed to really enjoy the hike.<\/p>\n<p>How did <strong><em>we<\/em><\/strong> like the hike? I&#8217;m glad you asked! \u00a0It was amazing!! \u00a0Being in the canyon the temperature was cool\u00a0and the scenery along the way was amazing. \u00a0Even though I dislike crowds, the rushing river, misting waterfalls, the smell of pine, the deep green mossy rocks and being with friends and family made it easy to forget the crowds. \u00a0There are two sets of falls, the first being only a half mile up the trail and the 2nd being another mile beyond. \u00a0Both are quite impressive but long lines form to be able to get to a spot where you can really get a good view of the falls. \u00a0We all toughed it out waiting our turn at the upper falls but Brielle, Sheba and I opted out of the lower falls view. \u00a0There were plenty of other places to enjoy the falls that had much fewer people to contend with. \u00a0I kept thinking how weird it was that we had traveled so far to spend a morning hiking with some friends that only live a few blocks from us back home. \u00a0But it made an already amazingly wonderful hiking experience just that much better! \u00a0Thank you for sharing your day with us Tillery family!<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157682627411103_8412\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4281\/34707663973_a54f317b94.jpg\" title=\"Waiting for Tillery&#039;s\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Waiting for Tillery's<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4234\/35478004976_24bd26a45f.jpg\" title=\"The sign\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The sign<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4211\/35350259662_61a48ef719.jpg\" title=\"Ready to hike\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Ready to hike<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4231\/34676004334_8fa0a25293.jpg\" title=\"Bright eyed\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Bright eyed<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4233\/35350258182_1ce431381a.jpg\" title=\"Who is the photographer\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Who is the photographer<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4207\/34686906714_41f7d32b41.jpg\" title=\"Photographers\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Photographers<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4242\/34676001814_4f2fe2c4cf.jpg\" title=\"River from above\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>River from above<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4278\/35350255532_d743e6732d.jpg\" title=\"Rest stop\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Rest stop<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4282\/35350254572_96299a797f.jpg\" title=\"Moss\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Moss<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4214\/34675997204_6af3a54b7e.jpg\" title=\"Flowing water\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Flowing water<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4277\/35477992026_bbb1eda347.jpg\" title=\"Rainbow across river\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Rainbow across river<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4285\/35386554411_089662baa7.jpg\" title=\"All the kids\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>All the kids<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4218\/34675993424_841097b9d9.jpg\" title=\"Fast water\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Fast water<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4255\/35386546631_a58e1b38e8.jpg\" title=\"On the walkway\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>On the walkway<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4284\/35489242866_872b22a846.jpg\" title=\"Dacen and James\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dacen and James<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4284\/34675990544_5ba0caacc2.jpg\" title=\"Moss and trees\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Moss and trees<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4257\/35386539991_85c0a5332a.jpg\" title=\"The girls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The girls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4260\/35517219545_8b08675d9c.jpg\" title=\"Thinking\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Thinking<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4290\/35517215455_4bd96f7bf2.jpg\" title=\"Upper falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Upper falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4290\/35350275752_898eec1ae7.jpg\" title=\"At upper falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>At upper falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4259\/35397537351_ac7462ccd0.jpg\" title=\"Fam at the falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Fam at the falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4283\/34707678653_d168b45ebb.jpg\" title=\"Upper falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Upper falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4254\/34707673553_a866f86a09.jpg\" title=\"Dacen\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dacen<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4258\/34686900974_e1152fc34c.jpg\" title=\"The fam\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The fam<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4261\/34707675733_0200f55710.jpg\" title=\"Upper falls\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Upper falls<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4254\/35350281632_ab67257a8e.jpg\" title=\"Caden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Caden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4286\/34707672523_4c119e5b18.jpg\" title=\"The whole gang\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The whole gang<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4278\/34707669663_dc8b66306a.jpg\" title=\"Me and my baby\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Me and my baby<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157682627411103_8412\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>After saying goodbye to the Tillerys we headed toward Lake Louise but stopped along the way for a picnic. \u00a0At the village area near Lake Louise we were looking for the information center so Brielle could get Jr Ranger stuff. \u00a0We missed the turn and were headed to the lake. \u00a0I decided to try to turn around which ended up being pretty Clark-like as I was blocking traffic jockying back and forth to get the crew cab, long beded Beast turned around on the narrow mountain road. \u00a0Oh well, we all get some dumb tourist coupons to use. \u00a0I dropped the family off at the info center and went to find a place to park in the filled-to-capacity parking lot. \u00a0I was about to give up when I found this huge area with plenty of parking&#8230;score!! \u00a0Sheba and I walked over to the info center to meet up with the family. \u00a0Water bottles filled and Jr. Ranger book in hand I led the family back to the truck to proudly show them my awesome parking space. \u00a0&#8220;Did you not see the sign that said, &#8216;<em>no parking beyond this point<\/em>&#8216;?&#8221; Steph asked. \u00a0Dumb tourist coupon number 2 redeemed!!<\/p>\n<p>Lake Louise is a sight to behold. \u00a0The water is a turquoise blue like the Caribbean water some of it might eventually become. \u00a0The backdrop of Victoria Glacier just puts it over the top! \u00a0And the sea of people trying to get pictures of it is a bit comical. \u00a0Every step you take further from the parking lot the number of people drops dramatically. \u00a0We finally found a spot where we could get some photos without a bunch of other tourons in our pictures and snapped away. \u00a0There was a 1 mile trail around the lake that Brielle was not interested in doing so Steph stayed back with her while the boys and I hustled to go around the lake. \u00a0I figured if we huffed it we could make it in 30 minutes. \u00a0The hike (really more of a walk) was really pretty but a mile later we were at the other end of the lake and realized that &#8220;around the lake&#8221; meant &#8220;around to the other side of the lake&#8221;. \u00a0We took a few quick pictures and then high tailed it back as we were going to be way later than 30 minutes. \u00a0Luckily the girls had kept themselves occupied working on Jr Ranger stuff, enjoying a coffee and people watching and were not worried about us.<\/p>\n<div id=\"flickr_72157683161784431_4721\"><div class=\"slickr-flickr-slideshow landscape medium \"><div class=\"active\"><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4266\/34707667843_c989e900aa.jpg\" title=\"Lunch time\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Lunch time<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4279\/35397532711_72351a6a38.jpg\" title=\"Duck kiss\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Duck kiss<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4253\/34686898174_5ae591dccc.jpg\" title=\"Gondola\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Gondola<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4207\/35485943276_c9270588f1.jpg\" title=\"All aboard\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>All aboard<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4258\/35394342561_05abe57f2a.jpg\" title=\"Kiddos\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Kiddos<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4211\/35485954746_81b0974a05.jpg\" title=\"Me and my hunny\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Me and my hunny<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4240\/35394338931_b931eededd.jpg\" title=\"The 6 of us\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The 6 of us<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4284\/35485947306_e08e7406d9.jpg\" title=\"Dacen\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Dacen<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4256\/35394332661_a770b12dec.jpg\" title=\"Brielle\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Brielle<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4289\/34715487213_32e9f5e189.jpg\" title=\"Caden\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Caden<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4284\/34715491543_413e669d3f.jpg\" title=\"Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Lake Louise and Victoria Glacier<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4280\/35485972586_dc8d755418.jpg\" title=\"Boys\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Boys<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4278\/34715488623_1e32f1165d.jpg\" title=\"Rest stop\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Rest stop<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4233\/35485968256_9c9c2334b0.jpg\" title=\"Cairn\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Cairn<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4254\/35485966286_07e45ee98a.jpg\" title=\"At the other side of lake\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>At the other side of lake<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4254\/35485963146_228b547fb5.jpg\" title=\"The dudes\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>The dudes<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4264\/35485959466_e1d59d2e1d.jpg\" title=\"Leap\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Leap<\/p><\/div><div><img src=\"https:\/\/farm5.static.flickr.com\/4287\/35485958866_16a27a64ca.jpg\" title=\"Jump\" alt=\"\"  \/><p>Jump<\/p><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">jQuery(\"#flickr_72157683161784431_4721\").data(\"options\",{\"delay\":3000,\"autoplay\":true,\"transition\":500,\"link\":\"next\",\"target\":\"_self\",\"width\":\"\",\"height\":\"\"});<\/script><div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We stopped back by the info center to get Brielle&#8217;s Jr Ranger badge (actually they do these rubber dog tags in the Canadian parks) and then decided to take the longer way home. \u00a0It afforded us the opportunity to see different scenery and it would put us in the decent sized town of Golden so we could treat ourselves to a dinner at a restaurant. \u00a0The first place we stopped was a pizza joint that got bad reviews so we looked up another pizza joint that had really good reviews. \u00a0A mile later we found a parking spot right in front of the restaurant but before shutting off the motor we noticed a sign.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>CLOSED due to power outage&#8230;estimated reopening at 8:00pm<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Bummer&#8230;.we were really in the mood for pizza and 8:00 was 2 hours away&#8230;.plus we still had an hour drive to get back home. \u00a0So we looked up a different restaurant and headed there. \u00a0As we were trying to park one of the employees came over to tell us that the power was out in the entire valley so, just like the pizza joint, they were not open either. \u00a0We decided to just keep trucking and try a little cafe at the next town&#8230;which ended up being closed too. \u00a0In the end, we ate at The Rig (I figured we should give our house a restaurant name so we felt like we were eating out). \u00a0We had plenty of left overs and the kids wanted pancakes so I fired up the griddle for some dinner flapjacks.<\/p>\n<p>To finish out the day the boys and I played horseshoes. \u00a0The evening was just perfect&#8230;.70 degrees, no wind, quiet, beautiful views, tired bodies, full bellies and, what&#8217;s that you say? \u00a0Steph and Brielle were making root beer floats&#8230;.wooooohoooooo!!!! \u00a0Another absolutely amazing day!!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Steph was researching where all to go on our summer trip she reached out to many friends asking for advice. \u00a0One of our friends from the &#8216;hood were also heading in that direction and it seemed would be in the Banff area about the same time we were. \u00a0So we made sure to align [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_s2mail":"yes"},"categories":[7],"tags":[89,88,94,83],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2231"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2240,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2231\/revisions\/2240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2231"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2231"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2231"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}