After breakfast and a few chores which included emptying the gray water tank, topping up with fresh water we set off for Banff. The views along the Highway 1 were spectacular, more "Wows"! We are in the Rockies!! After buying two Parks Canada Discovery Passes ( which last till the end of 09/18!) at the Banff National Park entrance we made our way into Banff town and found easy RV parking and the Info Centre at the old railway station. We got some good advice about what to do today, had a coffee, used the free internet, then set off to walk along the Bow River trail and on to the Bow Falls. It is a typical glacial river with huge force which is demonstrated at the falls rapids.
We walked back into downtown, looked at a few shops during a rain shower, then made our way back to the RV for some lunch. Earlier we had made enquiries with regard to campsites, but the only one available to us was at Tunnel Mountain. There are three camping villages here!!! It sounds horrendous, but in fact we got in to Village 1 and were allocated a site in the trees with a wilderness outlook. No hook up,or facilities but we are self sufficient. Apparently there is no electric fence on this site, and bears, mountain lions, wolves etc can be seen!
After finding our site we set off back to Banff to visit the Cave and Basin Naitonal Heritage site. It was here that the first sulphur springs were discovered and the National Parks of Canada began. We could smell the sulphur! There are lots of springs on the hillside, all now carefully protected to preserve the Banff snail! From there we drove up to the Upper Hot Springs and saw people languishing in 39C water. I was tempted, but Michael wasn't, no doubt we will get the chance later in in the trip.
The Banff Srpings Hotel is very high on the list of 'must sees ' so we made our way there next. What an amazing building/complex! We wandered in and explored the ground floor retail area which lead to the Bow Terrace. Out through the the door we went, to this amazing view
We then drove back to the campsite , stopping off at various viewpoints on the way.
We have been lucky to have good weather today, sunshine and cloud with the occasional short shower. Wonder what this evening and tomorrow will bring......
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