Family Vacation Wrap-up!

We left our hotel in Banff on Thursday, May 9th, with one final stop in that national park . . .to see Lake Louise.  We had a great time at two lakes previously, so didn't even think the most visited lake in the park would still be covered in several feet of snow.  Here is Nick texting brother-in-law Dave to tell him how Lake Louise looked. . . we are all sure it is more stunning when the ice is melted!








From Lake Louise we headed toward Kootenay National Park in British Columbia.  Although there was obviously a forest fire throughout much of the park within recent years, it is still beautiful!! 



We stopped at Numa Falls and were pleasantly surprised by the impressive waterfall and amazing shapes the water has carved out in the granite that lines the sides of the falls.

 

Vera gathered flowers at a rest stop

We ended up stopping in for a late lunch in Cranbrook---everyone was starving!!!  Since we had eaten pretty healthy our entire trip I figured it would be fun for everyone to pick whatever, wherever for their meal.  Clive and Jamison got a cheese pizza with extra cheese at Pizza Hut.  Vera and Colette shared an order of chicken fingers, fries, and one Blizzard from DQ.  Nick had a burger from McDonalds.  I gave Pita Wrapbit's carrot wrap a try.  Everyone was happy with their choices. 

These two boys happily finished an entire medium pizza to themselves!

Happy to be back in the USA!

Beautiful Flathead Lake

We drove and drove, on the road for a total of about 10 hours this day, passing by the Flathead Lake area, and arriving at our hotel in Missoula, MT, late in the evening. . .but not too late to take advantage of the pool and hot tub!!

Friday morning we got back on the road and drove straight home, with very few stops.  I still cannot believe how well the children were on the drive!!  We saw many antelope, and that neat little house that nearly blends in with the landscape in Montanta.

 

We arrived back to our home around 6 pm at night, and got right to mowing our lawn that had grown inch upon inch while we were away, and beginning a week's worth of dirty laundry!  We were happy to be home and, although we spent about 45 hours total in the car driving, the children say they'd do it all over again anytime.  Even Clive wants to go back to Jill's house. So glad we had a great time.  Nick and I are already planning our next family vacation, which isn't too far off!!

Family Vacation Day 7

Wednesday, May 8th:

We ate breakfast at the hotel, then off to Lake Minnewanka in search of a bear!!  Well, we didn't see any bears, but did see the most beautiful sights of our day.




Exploring along the shore

Nick and Clive sitting on the edge of a cliff

Jamison kicking the ice.  He thought
it was so cool that the ice broke off in thin, long sections

Looking for cool icicle shapes

From Lake Minnewanka, we drove to Two Jack Lake.  A nice man took our family's photo on the rocks, we walked across a fallen tree to the small island, and enjoyed the geese and ground squirrels.

 

 

 

 

Then we decided to walk up and down Main Street in Banff.  We got the children ice cream cones, looked at several gift shops (and I was reminded of how wonderful our children are when they didn't complain that we didn't buy souvenirs), and then stopped at The Fudgery for yet another sweet treat ---beaver dam chocolates!  So yummy!!  We saw lots of wonderful restaurants, but decided to just buy a few fruits and veggies from the grocery store and then splurge on dinner that night instead.

We were beginning to think this may be the
only bear we see our whole vacation!!

Main Street, Banff

 

After resting at the hotel, we hiked up Tunnel Mountain.  Nearly 2 km up and 2 km back down was quite a challenge with four children, two of whom Nick carried off and on.  But the prize was a beautiful view overlooking Banff!



This sign says "Congratulations". . .you made it to the top!!

Resting at the peak

 

Then because we had had so much fun at Two Jack Lake earlier, we decided to go back.  And in the 7 hours since we had last been there, the water was noticeably colder and higher; we could not walk back to the island because part of the log was under water and the colder water was unbearable to our sandaled feet!!

 

By this time we were starving!!!  We hurried back to the hotel, cleaned up and drove to The Bear Street Tavern.  It was late, so the restaurant was quiet. . .perfect for a nice, cool evening. 

I wish so much that we would have taken photos of our dinner. . .especially the banana split we ordered.  It was huge and gorgeous and tasted amazing!!  We also ordered an Hawaiian pizza and a margarita pizza, both of which were so good!!  What a tasty way to wrap up our day in Banff!! 

 

 

Family Vacation Day 6

Tuesday, May 7th:

We left Jill and Keith's place around 9:30 a.m. and drove toward Jasper.  Once inside of the Jasper National Park, things were looking beautiful!  We stopped to admire brilliant blue and green lakes and ponds.  We even saw a coyote and a wolf. . .supposedly it is very uncommon to see wolves, but Nick spotted one, so like true tourists, we turned the car around and stopped to take photos! 

 

While in Jasper, we filled the car up with gasoline at 1.35 CAD per liter, and set off on the 4-hour drive from Jasper to Banff, which is considered "Canada's Best Drive!"  And wow! it was breathtaking!! 

Luckily, Clive slept through the entire thing so we didn't have to stop for breaks; we just drove and drove, enjoying the landscape.  This is by far the prettiest drive we have ever been on.  Nick and I already want to go back to see it all over again!!

 

As the time approached 6:30 p.m. we were excited to see this sign and find a hotel. 
Nick chose the Banff Inn, another fine hotel with a pool.

Because we were so tired from driving, we just went to the nearest restaurant for dinner.  At this restaurant in particular, we got the strangest looks from other patrons, most likely because we had four children following us to our table.  I guess a family of 6 is rare in Canada, but totally normal when back in Utah.  I am glad we have our four children.  They have so much fun when we go to new places and try new things.  Seeing their happiness and excitement makes me smile!! 


      
After dinner, it was back to the hotel to do laundry and rest up for the next day that was sure to be full of adventure!

Family Vacation Day 5

Monday, May 6th:

I had a really hard time sleeping while on our vacation, especially in Edmonton because of the heat and the noisy street next to the apartment we slept in.  But Clive didn't seem to have any problem at all.  In fact, we had to wake him up every single morning. . .he was tired and worn out, and slept all through the night.

Clive really got the hang of ringing Jill's apartment!

We went to the West Edmonton Mall first thing in the morning with Jill and Keith.
Lots of walking!!

Watching ice skaters

At the Chinese market

Enjoying the big ship and seals

Eating a jumbo ice cream. . .

and sharing it with Clive

Glow-in-the-dark miniature golfing

On the last hole, Colette got a hole-in-one, a LOUD bell sounded,
and she was awarded a free pass to golf again!! 
Way to go, Colette!

We decided to try something new to us. . .Dragon Fruit. . .looks better than it tastes!

An evening of 5-pin bowling. 
This is so much easier for kids than regular bowling; they loved it!!!

Clive helping keep the balls straightened up!

Nick got an impressive score!

Jamison got the highest score of the children!

What an enjoyable day it had been.

As I got this post ready, Clive saw the photos and keeps telling me, "I want to go there again!" and "Please, we can go there again?"  What a joy it is to see our children have a good time!