Exploring Banff, Day 1

Thursday, September 14th

We enjoyed a great sleep as it's so quiet here at the Banff Trailer Court Campsite. This place is huge with 800 plus full hookup sites, each one a large pull through. The rain had quit overnight but it was still really cloudy. Not the best weather for pictures, but we made the most of it after leaving camp at 9 am.

First up we took Freya for a walk at Central Park along the Bow River on the large grassy area adjacent to the river and museum. She had great fun with all of the new sniffs.

This "Sleeping Buffalo" statue had Freya barking at it at first until I showed her it was not real! Silly dog.

They have bands playing in this gazebo during the summer.

We walked across the Bow River Bridge to the Parks Canada Headquarters and noted no dogs allowed in the Cascade Gardens so we headed back to the car after walking some more on the grass.

Once she was back in the car,  we carried on to see the museum. (No worries that she would get too hot at 6C and the windows half open under heavy clouded skies.)

Banff Park Museum National Historic Site

Explore the Victorian-era collection, while admiring the stately 1903 museum, a log masterpiece and the oldest surviving federal building in any Canadian national park.

The building sure had cool architecture. Ray was fascinated with all the fine millwork. The only piece of furniture that was new in the whole building was the desk in the front where you would normally pay for entrance. It took them 8 years to refurbish the building and put in the displays that Parks Canada had been saving for over a hundred years. The park attendant mentioned that visits to National Parks this year so far is up 328% with the free parks pass. No wonder there are people everywhere we go.

Looking up at the rotunda.

Mountain Goats and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep.

A masterpiece of fine wood craftmanship, absolutely gorgeous

Ray being "horny"

The Library.

Look at the size of the Elk Antler.

After leisurely walking around the exhibits went half a block down Banff Avenue for Ray to take some pictures.

Very quaint old buildings and shops.

See all the new snow we had last night

The Banff Ave. Brewery where we ate lunch yesterday.

Next it was back to the car and across the bridge to see the Cascade Gardens located at the Parks Canada Headquarters. No dogs allowed so Freya stayed in the car. Very beautiful. There is lots of new construction above the existing gardens for more water features. (about 1/3 bigger) Next summer it will be stunning.

Park Headquarters

Back in the car to drive over to the Bow River Falls. Again we managed to miss most of the foot traffic by being there early in the morning. 2 tour buses arrived just as we were leaving.

Bow River Falls

Next up was the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. We just wanted to walk the grounds for some pictures. They charge $10/hour in the parking lot .... no thanks. Ray and I managed to scare up a free parking spot. After our experience with the Fairmont in Lake Louise we were not going to give them any of our money!

"The Banff Springs Hotel is a luxury hotel that was built during the 19th century as one of Canada's grand railway hotels, being constructed in Scottish Baronial style and located in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada."
(Wikipedia)

Ray managed to take this picture from across the river at a lookout.

Statue of William Cornelius Van Horne, who envisioned the hotel, a rail barron. This used to be a CP Rail Hotel.

Banff Springs Hotel Statue Of An RCMP Riding A Horse

Orginial leaded glass windows and outside lights.

 The next few pictures are of the lobby. We stepped in for a quick look around.

We'd spent about 3 hours driving around so it was definitely time for some lunch. We'd picked out an Irish Pub downtown Banff, called St Jame's Gate Olde Irish Pub, the day before, so off we went. Managed to find a parking spot after about 5 minutes. The sun was breaking out through the clouds so we left Freya with the windows down and had a quick lunch.

Fairly nondescript on the outside ... but inside very warm and inviting.

Back to camp we went and after Freya's walk it was time for a "toes up" for Ray as my friend Kathy always says. 

A lot of the pictures may have to be retaken when the sun is actually out. We shall see. Another spectacular day inspite of the weather.