Day 3 Tuesday August 25th 2009- Canmore/Calgary, Alberta

It seemed like today when Bob woke up, everyone jumped up. Everyone was laying there awake waiting for someone to make a move. We got up and enjoyed a fresh cup of Bob's Espresso, and I enjoyed a cold glass of water. As we were sitting and chatting, Diana got up and made herself a cup of her own coffee (Folgers). As the water was brewing, she showed us a new sweetener that she was using, raving about how good it is. As she was talking with us, she started pouring some into a cup. She continued to pour, and pour and pour. She were all shocked at how much she was putting into her coffee, and started yelling stop, stop, stop…then we realized she was filling a cup, as a "sugar bowl". After a great laugh, we started cooking breakfast. Bob made breakfast burritos, which were quickly gobbled up. With Breakfast done, we decided to head to Banff.

So we go on the road, and headed to Banff. What a beautiful drive. Along the way we had to stop by the park entrance to pay for a park pass. Then we headed to the Banff Gondola http://www.explorerockies.com/banff-gondola/ . After Diana parked the car we walked to the gift shop/lodge to buy our tickets for the Gondola to the top. This ride is about a mile straight up the mountain, approximately 5000, but first a quick stop at the Starbucks for a coffee for the ride up. Glenda and I are scared to death of heights, while Bob and Craig got Glenda to agree to ride up, there was NO WAY, NO HOW, I was going up. So I gave Bob my camera, and he knew what to do. They boarded the Gondola and headed to the top, but not before they got a great shot of me waving to them from the ground, where I took in my book. Bob reported back that the rode to the top with only a few screams from Glenda and a little swaying. They headed out to the terrace to take a look around. Bob's main focus was to shoot, shoot, shoot. He took about 200 pictures (good Boy!). Here are a few [POST PICTURES HERE]. There are 2 restaurants and a snack shop and a gift shop at the top. The one at the top has MUCH better merchandise than the one at the bottom. Bob bought a couple post cards, magnets and pins for some friends. When they were read to come down, they decided that Glenda would sit with her back to the down slope. This worked much better than the ride up. There was less panic on her face, and even she was amazed that she didn't pee herself. Had she of, she was ready to bitch out the attendant for sitting her in a car that "someone" had peed in. We met back up at the "lodge, and headed to the car for a quick picnic, Diana had made.

From there we headed to The Fairmont Banff Spring Hotel http://www.fairmont.com/banffsprings/ . It was simply stunning. After walking around the front and enjoying the views, Bob led us in to the Conservatory room. We were in need of a washroom, so we headed into the first one we found, after that we walked through the hotel, which by the way has a washroom about every 10 feet! We gave ourselves a self tour around the facilities that ended up in the "basement", which was an upper-end mall. We looked around there, then headed across the street. While Glenda, Diana and I talked Bob went to check out a small convenience store (which he bought 2 bottles of Fresca and a Crunchy Reeses Peanut butter cup, both he has not been able to find in the US). We headed back to the car for a quick drive to downtown. We were looking for a store that carries our friend (Mikey's) jewelry. After finding the store, and parking, we walked through the main street back to the store to take a look. We also stopped to do a little shopping along the way. We found the store, and headed back to the car. Bob ducked into Hudson Bay's store for a quick minute, Glenda and I went in with him. When we got out Diana was no where to be found. We looked and looked and decided that she headed to the car. We headed back up the street, stopped into a few more store and walked to the car. When we go there, Diana was not there. Well, what to do? Craig volunteered to back track to see if she headed back to find us. About half a block down the street, Craig found her sitting under a tree watching people. We decided to head back to Canmore to do a little shopping for dinner, then back to the condo. When we got to Safeway, we made our selection for dinner and checked out. When we got back to the Condo, we unpacked and started dinner, Vodka Pasta with Grilled chicken and Cheese bread.

After dinner, Diana wanted to go for a walk, so we all jumped into the car and headed down the first hiking trail we could find. It was along the Bow River, which is the most brilliant color of blue. We walked close to 2 miles downriver, across 3 bridges and back to the car. After we got done with the walk, when we go back to the condo, Bob showed Diana how to use iTunes to the best of its uses, and they exchanged a ton of music. Diana then announced, "what would you do-o-o for a Klondike bar", and passed out the skinny cow ice cream sandwiches. Bob was falling asleep on the floor, so he decided to go to bed. I decided to go to the hot tub. I headed down stairs to enjoy the peacefulness of the hot tub at night. I hit the button and got in; just as the maintenance man came in and said he was closing the pool area for the evening. DAMN. Back to the room. I just when to bed.

Calgary day 2

Monday August 24^th- So today we woke up and started the blog. After getting ready, packing and checking out of the hotel, we headed to downtown for breakfast. We found a great place, Toshy's family Restaurant, serving breakfast until 11am. Thank god we got there before 11am, because they were kicking people out after 11! When the waitress came over to take our order, I order an omelet, and Bob was shocked to hear what I was ordering, because he didn't flip the menu over. After Breakfast, we did a little shopping on our way back to the car. We decided to sit at Starbucks and use my 2 free hours of WiFi. Glenda and Diana called and said they were at the border, so we expected them in a couple of hours, about 2pm. We finished at Starbucks, and decided to drive to Three Sisters Mountain area. We drove up and checked out the Hotel we were going to stay in, then drove around the area checking out the amazing houses and hiking trails. We did see our first coyote see the attached picture, we caught him littering on the side of the road. We decided that it wouldn't be too much longer, so we hung out and ate chips and read. After a long hour they showed up. After all the hugs and chatting we went to check in. After two full porter carts of luggage, we unpacked and relaxed. Later we went in to Canmore to find a place to eat dinner. We headed to the Iron Goat Pub & Grill, www.irongoat.ca. We sat on the patio and watched the sunset and had a wonderful dinner. After dinner we drove through town stopped at the grocery store to pick up breakfast and lunch for the next day and then headed back to chat till bedtime.

Calgary Vacation day one

Four o'clock came early, but the alarm was set for three. We raced around the house to get ready and out the door. We hoped in the car and were off. Traffic though Seattle was light and the drive to the airport was quick. We figured we had time it was only 5:10am and the flight was at 6am. Well….WRONG…for International flights they want you there 2 hours before. Now this was only a 30 minute flight to Vancouver. So, why do you need to be there so far in advance for a 30 minute flight?? So we were rebooked for the 8 am flight, and put on standby for the Calgary flight at 11am. We headed to the Alaska Boardroom to hang out and eat and so I could take a nap. We had to walk on the tarmac to the plane, it was a 12 row prop plan not my favorite! We barely got in the air and we started to prepare for landing 30 minutes that was it. Once in the Vancouver airport you have to walk for what felt like ½ a mile to get to Immigration. Once they barked a few questions at you…what are you here for, who are you here to see, and how long have you know them. We walked more to pick up our luggage, and then to walk more to get in another line. This is where you hand your Immigration declaration to someone who sends you to the left for a luggage search or to the right to stand in yet another line, down a long high walled corridor, with no airflow, and about 100 other tourists. The next person we come to lets you put you luggage on the belt to get it on your next flight or sends you to the elevator to walk another long corridor then get in another line. You can only guess that we had to get in another line to get a boarding pass. Barely making the cutoff time the nice, but dippy agent sent us off to get in line again to go through security, we had to wait, as they had just closed down the second security line. I think it was training day, as there were 4 "TSA" agents searching bags. Once through we were off to gate C36…you know it would be the absolute last gate in the concourse. We get to the gate and they are boarding….the last agent didn't tell us we were only on the standby list. Not to worry there is a flight every hour on the hour, but the 12 pm flight was already 35 minutes late. We headed off to find some lunch, and do a little airport shopping!

We made it on to the next flight only to be seated in the very last row. I slept most of the flight and Bob played with the TV screen in the seat in front of him. I woke up when there was a little turbulence, enough to make most everyone come out of there seat, that woke me up. It was very bumpy until we landed 15 minutes later.

Once we got into the Calgary airport, we collected our already waiting luggage from the carousal, and found ground transportation. This was the easiest part of the trip, so far. The agent at Avis was very helpful and got us a map to get out of the city, and on our way to Canmore. Once Bob was used to the Chrysler 300, we left the airport, and got on the road. About ½ way through the city we decided that we need a drink and some fries, so McDonalds it was. After placing our order, we realized that we didn't have any Canadian money. Usually not an issue, but we were a ways from the border, so it's not as easy as Vancouver. After much confusion from the counter worker, we just paid with the credit card.

On the road trip to Canmore, we went past the Calgary Olympic park. It was amazing to see the ski slopes up that close. We are going to plan a trip to go back before we leave, Sunday. After what seemed like a full day of travel , we finally made it to town, found our hotel and kicked back for a minute or two. We decided to get some Gin for a cocktail later and scope out the town for dinner. We went to the recommended liquor store, closest to the hotel. Big mistake! $45 for a bottle of Gin, that we would normally pay $25 for at home. We thought, what the hell it all going to be the same, so we bought New Amsterdam, and went to the convenience store across the parking lot to get tonic. After loading our purchases into the car, we drove into downtown, and noticed the Safeway….with the Safeway Liquor store next door. We just had to know how much we got screwed. And we did, big time. Oh well, I guess it will make the Gin and Tonic's taste better.

After driving through downtown, we came across Rocky Mountain Flat Bread Company (http://www.rockymountainflatbread.ca/), basically a flatbread pizza restaurant. When we parked and walked to the restaurant, there was a waiting line. We thought it kind of unusual, as there were 4 empty stools at the bar, and several empty tables. We both thought it was due to it being a large group. When we asked to sit in the stools at the bar, we were told by the bartender, "no, that's where the waitresses get beverages from". Again, kind of unusual, but it's not our restaurant, so….when in Rome! We went back and waited at the door. The lady seating people, came over to ask how many in our party, we said 2 and she asked us if we'd prefer to sit at the bar. We looked questioningly at her then each other then other and took the 2 stools at the bar. We had a WONDERFUL ½ and ½ BBQ Chicken and spicy chicken and veg pizza. 2 beers later the bartender told another group they couldn't sit at the bar because we were sitting there. We laughed, finished our beers and left, graciously giving up our seats. On our way back to the hotel, we figured we couldn't take glass to the hot tub, so we stopped by Safeway to get a couple of glasses. We searched and searched but could find any. I was about to leave, when Bob went to the Starbucks and asked for 2 venti cups, with lids. This was such a great idea. You all should remember this when you're in a hotel and all they have is glass. We headed back to the Hotel of the Rockies, for a quick trip to the hot tub, and a nice G&T.

One thing we have noticed since we have entered Canada, almost EVERY guy is wearing a style of pant and short that is very cool. Bob want to find a pair. They are kind of a blend of stretchy nylon, but not worn tight, like spandex. They look VERY comfortable. I will update as soon as I figure out what the hell they are.

Photos

Just posting for the first time. I don't have much to say so I'll post a few photos of wine country.