It is really hard to believe we are actually starting our trip. We made plans for this almost 2 years ago. We were up early to catch our 7am flight from Grand Rapids to Calgary. We had a small bump along the way with a delayed flight in Minneapolis waiting for our pilots to arrive… but I couldn’t fly the plane so waiting seemed like the best idea. I don’t quite understand the Delta computer as we originally had seats next to each other but some how in the last few days we were separated… same row but window window with only 4 people and a row in between. A very kind gate agent In Minneapolis fixed the situation.
I was a bit worried about the air quality in Calgary with word of the fires in the area. There is some haze in the air but not much. We were ferried from the airport to our hotel in Banff.
We are staying at the Banff Springs Hotel. The hotel and the entire city of Banff is all located in the Banff National Park. The Banff Springs Hotel was originally built by the Canadian Rail Road and was one of the first Grand Rail Road Hotels. The hotel opened in 1888 that structure unfortunately was all wood and burned down in the 1920’s and was replaced by the current building. Both the original and current structures were designed to resemble or have features of Chateaux in the Loire Valley in France. The hotel has had additions and remodeling done over the years. The hotel is quite amazing in how they have been able to modernize and still keep the original beauty. In case you are wondering some of the other Canadian Rail Road Hotels include the Royal York in Toronto
And the Chateau Fontenac in Quebec City
We had dinner at the Hotel and decided we needed to get out and walk a bit as we were both feeling tired but needed to adapt to the new time zone. The area around the hotel is beautiful. Banff (city) is located in a valley that has sharply rising mountains on all sides. The Bow River runs through the valley and the hotel grounds are along side the river. A short walk from the hotel is the Bow Falls.
The pictures don’t capture the fall’s beauty and power. Here is a video that might help a bit.
We strolled a bit along the river and enjoyed our surroundings.
Tomorrow there is some rain in the forecast. We are hoping to get out and do some exploring before it comes.
The area is all new to us but so far at least we aren’t lost…
Dale and Ila
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