Sunset Resort, Canmore, Alberta, Canada – Saturday, July 2 – 9, 2011

We left British Columbia and drove to Canmore, Alberta, checked into the timeshare and then headed to Calgary to pick up Debby at the airport. It was great to see her and have her spend the week with us.







The first morning we explored Canmore.






It was sunny out but by the time we found a large quilt shop it was pouring down rain. Bob went to get the car just as it started.

This peak is Ha Ling Peak.


After some lunch we drove to a nearby area and walked around Quarry Lake.





Then we went across the street and found another path to hike on where there was a stream and a small falls. The biggest challenge was the steps.





There was coal residue around from mining and we spent a few minutes following this bird and trying to get a close up picture.




On July 4th we left early and headed into Banff National Park




and to the Columbia Ice Fields. We stopped at Crowfoot Glacier where you could now see only 2 claws as one has melted.









Then Bow Lake









Then Bow Summit where we hiked and “easy .3 mile paved trail to Peyto Lake (Pee-toe). What was funny was the easy part must have been the pavement as the trail was quite an incline. There were signboards along the way to read and stop at which helped. The lake was a beautiful green color. We could not see the glacier that feeds it. This was also the highest point on the parkway (6,785 feet).









Along the way and looking back to where we have been.





The Columbia Ice Fields were awesome and unbelievable. It was windy which made it very cold blowing right into your face as we hiked up to the edge of Athabasca Glacier. The Columbia Ice Field is made up of more than one glacier. We could also see Dome Glacier. The water from these glaciers flows to the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans.












We stopped at Bridal Veil Falls


and Weeping Wall on the way back to the resort.





We also saw bear and seven bighorn sheep plus an assortment of other animals during the week.

















On Tuesday we went to the spiral tunnels so Deb could see them. We stopped at Emerald Lake




and Natural Bridge.




We drove to Takkakaw Falls and walked the path to see them. This was a paved level path and quite easy to walk.







We saw Caribou today we think.

This is Castle Mountain.



Wednesday we went to Lake Louise,





Moraine Lake




and the town of Banff.



We explored Fairmont Hotel in Banff


and the Cascade Gardens.

Thursday and Friday we relaxed at the time share and even had a foot spa.




Here are some of the many flowers we saw during the week.


















Saturday we packed and left early. We dropped Debby off at the Marriott in Calgary for the night and we continued on.