High times

Back in Banff the next day and I rented a GPS tour guide that would tell me where to go (In a nice way I hope!)


It first 'took' me to a park near the town centre and its was nice to see some Elementary (Primary) School students doing some fitness activities with the wonderful backdrop behind them.

Then on to the Banff Springs Hotel that was one of the first large hotels built for the town to encourage tourists. The founder apparently said "If we can't export the scenery, we'll have to import the people" (Thanks GyPSy!).

It then took me over to Bow Falls, the site of many a derring-do by such damsels a Marilyn Monroe and Lassie!

A drive around the golf course and GyPSy told me that I should be able to see some wildlife and what would you know! Deer and Elk and whatever the hell they are!

Time then for the cable car adventure up to the top of Sulphur Mountain. I really thought I'd be taking a short trip up then turn around and come straight back down but to start with, the trip up must have been about 15 minutes or so, which gives you some idea of how high it ended up going.

The view from the top of Sulphur Mountain (named for the sulphur springs that come out of the mountain and 'feed' the hot springs below) was spectacular. I was beginning to think that I was only going to see snow on the hilltops from a real distance but it was really nice to be up close and not in miserable conditions.

A short trip from the cable car (once I'd made the return trip) was the Upper Hot Springs. I thought it would be kind of cool (pardon the pun) to go for a swim with snow covered mountains in the background.

The water was 39 degrees C and pumped from the springs that flowed from the mountain. There were quite a few people there but was a nice experience.

The GPS tour took me on a few different sights but before I knew it, it was nearly 4pm and after the Hot Springs, I must say I was feeling a bit tired and still had a 90 minute drive back to Calgary!