The Fairmont Inn at Banff Springs is the largest resort hotel in the area. An interesting tidbit; Most of the motel/hotels in Banff do not have air conditioning. It is cool enough most of the time that it is not needed.
In typical tourist fashion, we checked out the the lobby of The Fairmont. It is just a bit pricey at 299.00 to 599.00 per night.
We left Banff early and drove up Hwy 1 to Lake Louise for breakfast.
Beautiful Lake Louise is high up in the mountains, just below an ice glacier and behind The Fairmont Inn at Lake Louise.
These pictures simply do not do this scenery justice. Most of the mountain lakes in the area are an aqua marine (turquoise) color.
The Fairmont Inn at Lake Louise
The Fairmont Inn boat dock at Lake Louise. Rental kayaks were very popular. We also watched several young girls take a dip in this ice cold lake. They did not tolerate the cold water long.
Beautiful Iceland Poppys. 
For the true mountain lover, the views on the Icefield Parkway simply can not be surpassed! The parkway is 143 miles in length and was completed in 1940. It is named for features such as the Columbia Icefield.
Looking south on the Icefield Parkway.
Today, Carolyn and I drove the Parkway from Banff to The Colombia Glacier, round trip.
We had the good fortune to see, at a very close range, an eagle, three mountain goats, three black bear and several elk. I noticed the mountian goat's coat is molting for the summers warmer weather.
This black bear was no more than 25 feet from the side of our car and refused to even look at us.
The Columbia Icefield is located in the Canadian Rockies, astride the Continental Divide of North America. The icefield lies partly in the northwestern tip of Banff and the southern end of Jasper National Park.
This evening, our dinner came at The Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Banff. We were fortunate to have an open air table (center window, second floor) overlooking the downtown hustle and bustle.
Looking south on the Icefield Parkway.Today, Carolyn and I drove the Parkway from Banff to The Colombia Glacier, round trip.
We had the good fortune to see, at a very close range, an eagle, three mountain goats, three black bear and several elk. I noticed the mountian goat's coat is molting for the summers warmer weather.
This black bear was no more than 25 feet from the side of our car and refused to even look at us.The Columbia Icefield is located in the Canadian Rockies, astride the Continental Divide of North America. The icefield lies partly in the northwestern tip of Banff and the southern end of Jasper National Park.Inside The Colombia Glacier Visitor Center.
This evening, our dinner came at The Old Spaghetti Factory in downtown Banff. We were fortunate to have an open air table (center window, second floor) overlooking the downtown hustle and bustle.Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. ~Mark Twain~
Breathtaking photos!
ReplyDeleteIt's like less chessier Gatlinburg meets Alaska!