Banff (Monday and Tuesday)

After lunch in Lake Louise, we loaded back into the car and headed towards Banff. We took a more scenic route hoping to see some wildlife, but came up empty. We were also hoping that Logan would nap...no such luck there either!

I think this mountain looks cool, like it's being blown over.

Pamela pointing at the cool mountain...Mt. Sulphur.

A picture of Pamela, taking a picture.

Once we arrived in the town of Banff, it was still too early to check into our hotel so we decided to head to a gondola to take a ride up a mountain. On our way we ran into a moose! Well not literally, but almost.

Making his way into the wooded area.

A closer shot.

The people who were driving in front of us didn't get pulled over very fast so we didn't get a great picture, but this is proof of what we saw!

Next we headed to the gondola!

Sulphur Mtn. Gondola Lift

This vehicle is from the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience in BC. When Scott was young, he travelled with his grandparents and went on this tour. Pamela and our parents will also be going when mom and dad visit Pamela this summer.

Logan in the giant tire.

Pamela, Logan and I waiting while Scott bought tickets.

Going up...

Logan and Aunt Pamela (remember he hadn't had a nap...what a grumpy face).

Pamela, Logan and I.

Scott and Logan (cool view in the background).

Banff Springs Hotel (where we were staying) from the top of the mountain.

Beautiful scenery.

There was a foot bridge (with lots of stairs) that you could take up to the top of another mountain. Since we couldn't take the stroller, Logan and I stayed behind and Scott and Pamela went up to the top. They climbed 400 each way and did it in record time. Unfortunately, the camera was on a black and white setting so the pics have no colour, but they still look cool.

Logan and I looked around the shops at the top of the mountain while we were waiting for them. We also ran into a couple and their daughter who were on the same flight out to Calgary with us a few days earlier. They were visiting friends in the area. It was neat to see them there.

When Scott and Pamela got back, we looked around a bit more and then headed back down.

The three of us.

Logan and I with Pamela.

Going down...

We hoped back in the car and headed to the Banff Springs Hotel (BSH), our home for the next two nights. The BSH is a huge, old castle-like hotel, and I'm sure we didn't even see half of it when we were there, it's so big.

Deer we saw on the way there.

Logan got his own BMW to drive around the lobby (and take back to our room).

The only BMW he'll drive for a LONG time (until he can buy himself one anyways...)

Hotel lobby.

Once we checked in and took a look at our room, we decided to head into town to get dinner. Since Logan was running on little sleep, we knew that we didn't have much time. We went to a pub in Banff and had a great dinner. Aunt Pamela taught Logan to dip his fries in mayonaise and his chicken fingers in plum sauce. Thanks Aunt Pamela...now he wants to dip, EVERYTHING. When we were done dinner, we looked at some of the stores on the main street.

Petting a horse.

We got back to the hotel and put Logan to bed. Pamela volunteered to stay behind with him while Scott and I went out for a drink. We went to a lounge in the hotel with a great mountain view.

Scott enjoying his time out.

All the wine they had to choose from...I opted for a virgin daquari instead.

The next day, Pamela and I had appointments booked at the spa in the hotel. So we all had breakfast together and then Pamela and I headed to the spa. We each had a massage and a pedicure booked but once you pay for a treatment, you are welcome to use the spa facilities all day. We got there early and checked in, had a tour, were shown to our lockers and then left to relax. Unfortunately, we couldn't take pictures, so you'll have to imagine. They had an outdoor hot tub, 3 indoor hot tubs a varying temperatures and a mineral pool as well. I couldn't use the mineral pool or the really hot hot tubs but I definitely took advantage of what I could. There was also a steam room, a eucalyptus inhalation room and a sauna. So we floated around for a while and then had our treatments. It was a very relaxing morning.

Logan and Scott went to the outdoor pool (the indoor one was closed) while we were at the spa and had a great time! When they got back, Logan watched some TV before him and Scott went to McDonalds for lunch. Pamela and I met them back in the room after lunch and we all just hung out for a bit.

Logan's version of relaxing!

Pamela and Logan.

Silly Logan.

Surprised Logan.

Tired Logan.

There must have been something exciting on the screen.

After Logan's nap, we thought we'd dress up and go out for a nice dinner in the hotel. Unfortuantely, Logan had other plans and by the time we got to the restaurant and were seated, he was exhausted and not interested in dinner at all. Logan and I ended up ordering room serivce, and Scott and Pamela ate in a lounge and watched the hockey game.

Logan helping Aunt Pamela get ready.

One of the cool old style elevators.

Logan pushing the elevator button. This isn't a very clear picture but Logan became obsessed with elevators and pushing the buttons while we were away. As soon as we got close to an elevator, Logan had both his index fingers pointing, ready to push the buttons, it was so cute.

Having a hot dog and french fries in the room. This is not exactly what I had imagined, but it worked and Logan was much happier, he went to bed right after he ate.

Pamela headed back to the spa that evening to take advantage of the pools some more. The next morning, we checked out and headed to Calgary (I'll post on Calgary tomorrow)!

(I may have to post some more pictures once I get them from Pamela....so if you haven't had enough, there will likely be more to come!

Lake Louise - Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Photo Overload)

So we're home...I'm sitting here wading through the pictures that we took...there are a lot! I'm going to have to break this into a few posts to get everything in!

Last Saturday we left home to board our plane at the Waterloo International Airport. We LOVED flying out of Waterloo. It is SO close to home and everything was so easy and quick. Plus we were able to leave our car at the airport for only $40 for the whole week! Our flight was the only one leaving when we were there so there was lots of room in the lounge for Logan to run off this last bits of energy.

Finishing up the packing at home. We managed to fit everything into 2 suitcases, a small bag and a carry on!

The Waterloo Airport. It was so windy when we got there.

Cute Logan.

Our plane.

Looking out the window in anticipation.

We boarded the plane and it took off early from the airport. Since the flight left at 6pm we were a bit nervous about how Logan would do since he usually has a very strict bedtime of 7pm. He was so great. Despite a patch of about 20 mins, he was awesome through the flight. We were lucky enough to be seated with an empty seat so he had lots of space to play. He watched TV (WestJet plays Treehouse!), played, climbed all over mommy and daddy, ate, and looked out the window.

Eating his headphones.

The view from our window.

We arrived in Calgary early and quickly met up with Pamela and jumped in the car to head to Lake Louise. Luckily Logan fell asleep quickly and was quiet for the 2 hour drive. Even though it was getting to be dark, we were able to have a great view of the mountains as we drove to the lake.

Our first glimpse of the mountains.

Tired little boy.

More mountains...

Our hostess (and driver).

Mountains...

We arrived at Chateau Lake Louise that night...it seemed so late for us, I think it was close to 12:30am, got checked in and headed up to our room. Pamela definitely hooked us up and we were staying in one of the nicest rooms in the hotel.

Logan's bed. Aren't the towels cute? We were in a suite so we were able to put Logan to bed in a room separate from ours. It made it nice to be able to put him down when he needed to go but not have to sit in the dark and quiet room!

Shower and tub in our HUGE bathroom.

Our bed.

Pamela headed to work (she was working the overnight shift) and we tried to put Logan down. He was confused and SO overtired and didn't like being all alone. So we brought him into bed with us where he spent the night. Good thing we had a king sized bed. Scott slept on one edge, I slept on the other and Logan slept horizontally between us - however we all got a great night's sleep. In the morning we woke up and proceeded to open the drapes, the pictures below are what we saw!




What a view! With a fresh dusting of snow, the mountains and the lake were amazing to see in the morning. I had never seen the mountains before this trip and I don't think I was prepared for how beautiful and huge they would be. The hotel certainly is in a beautiful location.

We spent the morning hanging out in our room, going for a walk, and napping before meeting up with Pamela for Mother's Day brunch.

Logan playing with his new toy from Aunt Pamela.

Closer view of the lake and mountains.

View of the hotel from the lake.

Logan and Scott walking up the stairs in the lobby.

Front Lobby.

We then met up with Pamela who managed to get a few hours of sleep for Mother's Day brunch in the hotel.

Logan enjoying his brunch and the view. (They had a cool buffet set up for kids with more kid friendly food...Logan had hotdogs, chicken fingers and watermelon!)

The view.

Logan and Aunt Pamela.

We all headed out after brunch for another much needed nap. We met up with Pamela again later in the afternoon for dinner at her place. She also invited her friends Tracey and Liz. We had bbq chicken and ribs, potatoes and salad. It was all so good. Logan had a great time and LOVED playing with Pamela's friends who also loved playing with him.

Pamela sees this every day on her way to work...

Logan found a pile of snow to play in on the way to Pamela's.

Hanging out with Tracey and Liz.

Reading with Aunt Pamela.

Having a bath in the giant tub after dinner at Pamela's.

Pamela worked another overnight shift so we spent Monday morning hanging out at the hotel before meeting up with her around lunch to head to Banff.

Daddy and Logan having breakfast in the room.

The view from our bed...I could get used to this life!

Also another view...

Daddy and Logan by the lake.

Mommy and Logan.

Logan was a great little guy on our whole trip. He was such a trooper most of the time. I think though on Monday morning we pushed a bit far without a nap. This is him having a temper tantrum at the base of the lake. He didn't want to do anything so he laid down and cried...and I took a picture!

Logan meets Sonny, the hotel dog. Sonny hangs out in the lobby to visit with guests.

Logan (and his bear) chasing after Sonny.

Daddy and Logan checking out a stream.

We met up with Pamela, checked out and headed into the village of Lake Louise to have some lunch before heading to Banff.

Lake Louise was awesome...two great and relaxing days. It was fun seeing where Pamela lives and works and even meeting some of her friends.

Logan at lunch before heading to Banff.

Pictures of Banff to follow...tomorrow hopefully!