Exploring Banff

When Tim and I checked into our room at the Fairmont Banff Springs last night, it was dark outside, and the curtains were drawn. I opened the curtains this morning and almost gasped! The view outside our window was breathtaking! When I booked the Canadian Rail Adventure package, I had selected the Prestige Plan with upgraded rooms at Fairmont hotels, so I shouldn’t have been surprised. Still, I was in awe of our view of the Bow Valley and surrounding mountains in Banff National Park.

A Breathtaking View from Our Window

There was no time to explore the hotel this morning, since we were booked on an “Explore Banff” tour. We boarded our motorcoach and began with a drive through the Banff Springs Golf Course. Our search for wildlife netted only an elk or two, but we did enjoy the stop at pretty Bow Falls.

Bow Falls and One Lone Elk

From there, we headed to the Banff Gondola, where we traveled to the peak of Sulphur Mountain for a 360-degree panoramic view of the Bow Valley. We had perfect weather for the ride up, and we were rewarded with more spectacular views. We could even pick out our hotel as we descended. The gondola ride was the highlight of the tour for me.

A Fun Ride on the Gondola

Expansive Views of Bow Valley from the Mountaintop

As we drove back toward Banff Town Center, we stopped at the Cascade of Time Garden, a lovely oasis just across from the Bow River Bridge. The historic building located here was the first administration building of Parks Canada and continues to be a symbol of the cultural heritage of the Canadian National Park system.

Views Towards Banff Town Center from Cascade of Time Garden

Cascade of Time Garden

Just before lunch, we stopped at the Bow River Hoodoos Viewpoint. Not only were we able to see these strangely shaped rock pillars, but we also had an excellent view of our hotel. Tim and I took a break in two of the ubiquitous, red Adirondack chairs placed by Parks Canada in peaceful locations throughout many of the country's most scenic parks.

Two Views of Fairmont Banff Springs - From the Bow River Hoodoos Overlook (top)
and From the Gondola (bottom)

Relaxing at the Bow River Hoodoos Overlook

Our final activity of the day was a cruise on Lake Minnewanka. Although the lake was lovely, the boat was so crowded and the seats so uncomfortable that it was difficult to appreciate the scenery. In retrospect, I would have preferred to skip the cruise so we could have had more time to appreciate our hotel.

Cruising on Lake Minnewanka

When we did return to the hotel, I took a self-guided heritage tour of the magnificent architectural spaces and features in the oldest sections of the “Castle in the Rockies.” Built for the Canadian Pacific Railway to draw tourists into the wilderness of the Canadian Rockies, the current structure was completed in 1928 after a fire damaged the original 1888 hotel.

Grand Public Spaces in the Historic Fairmont Banff Springs

I was so surprised when I returned to our room to find a note and gift from the front desk agent with whom I had spoken last night. I had just briefly pointed out my injury, and his note mentioned how sorry he was to hear about it. The note continued, “... please accept this small gift on our behalf to turn your vacation around.” Oh, my goodness! The gift was a historic Canadian Pacific Railway poster. How did he know I collect railroad posters! What a very thoughtful, and much appreciated, gesture!

A Lovely Note and Gift

Early Evening View from Our Window