Day 17. Banff. Monday 4th May 2015
As we readied for our last day in Banff – we had been a trifle frustrated by a lot of things being closed. It was the memory of the combination of the surrounding mountains, the relaxed vibe of Banff itself( apparently not evident during peak season) and the knowledge of our B&B host Robyn – that we set off on our last hike.
The trail started just behind our B&B and was called Tunnel Mountain. There isn’t a tunnel – there is a mountain.
The Tunnel Mountain trail started just behind our B&B. There isn’t a tunnel – but there is a mountain. The story was that a tunnel was going to be driven through the mountain but the guy funding it decided it was too hard and too expensive. Probably a good call for hikers.
Anyway slightly hard work for the grey nomads as trendy young things in lycra (TYTLs) jogged passed us with Cavadoodles and other assorted mutts.
At the top – beautiful views of Banff, the famous Fairmont hotel, and then the other side of the mountain which was a river valley.
At the top – RED CHAIRS as previously sighted on Vancouver Island.This is obviously a National Parks thing and something I will start officially recording.
Made it down and then LG started making sure I got my dose of culture by dragging me around every historic home in the neighbourhood by numbers!
Had lunch at Wildflour which had been recommended by a barstool neighbour Jenna who I had talked to On Vancouver Island.The cafe seemed completely staffed by Australian twenty somethings!
Proceeded on to try and work out whether I was going to drive the Icefield Parkway or not.Again the season is our friend and enemy at the same time.A lot of thing inaccessible or closed but it is great not having so many people around.Anyway decided to tour bus it and spend more time in Jasper this time slumming it at the Fairmont-where we got a great deal for being old!!
Got our tickets for Calgary on Greyhound (Greyhound I hear you ask is that only for the downtrodden and penniless. Yes but it allows us to stay at the Fairmont). Mel saved me again by noticing that although we had tickets to Drumheller we had decided to terminate in Calgary we had been been given bag tags for Drumheller. We changed the tags so our bags didn’t go sailing off-well caught LG.
last night Banff spent at our B and B having dinner provided by the husband owner Rob who was trained as a Chef.Such a nice guy and cooked up a storm that passed the LG (my ex was a chef) test.Mel had a chicken curry with homemade Naan-and judged it outstanding.Also the salad which was dressed with the most beautiful citrus dressing: lime, lemon and orange juice and olive oil.I had a zucchini boat which made being a veggie almost worthwhile- beautifully cooked with the zucchini stuffed with a salsa.Finished off with home made vanilla ice cream outstanding.Washed down with one of my favourites so far-Yukon Red.
The experience at this place(Rocky Mountain B and B has been terrific,$75.00 a night beautiful breakfasts cooked to order,gracious young hosts who work really hard in and on the business.
Ok so packed up and ready for the next adventure-go east grey nomads go east!
