North America part 4: I've finally gotten moosed to this pun thing

And so, we come to the final part of my North American trip, and despite being sad about this, I've decided that I'll just have to go back sometime.  Now then, I believe that you'll find me, after some totally healthy French toast, hurtling through the fields of Alberta listening to Metal and Rap with Andre, on the way to his mum's place.  Oh, and we had some Tim Horton's, of course. 

You see, although I actually had a bus booked, and after devouring the pulled pork, Andre had offered to drive me to Calgary and Banff (my next stops), as him and Kathy were heading down there to pick up a friend (funnily enough, from Scotland) and although I had a bus booked, I decided the drive was better as I would have company. 

Now, as we arrived at a small town in the middle of nowhere (for Andre to help sort out Kathy's roof), we headed into an old retirement home where Andre's gran was playing bridge (or dominoes, or something).  Why was I there?  To meet a very friendly nonagenarian who had emigrated from Glasgow.  Small world eh?

After the brief detour, and after hurtling down the road again (this time with a brief stop for poutine and donuts), we arrived at Calgary.  After saying bye to Kathy and Andre, I went into my hotel room at Hotel Nuvo, which was brilliant. As it appears, I had been upgraded so I had a second bed, plus a full kitchen as well. Shame it was just for a night.

After playing about in my kitchen for a while, including an obligatory coffee, I went for a short wander to see Calgary a little (though not much to see, where I was), and find a place to eat.  Eventually, I decided on a sports bar that served sandwiches and, being a sports bar, I was able to enjoy my sandwich whilst watching Baseball, Hockey and American Football...or three sports that I had no idea about except for their names.  Whilst enjoying my Montreal Smoked Meat Sandwich (a sandwich stuffed with smoked meat and cheese: as delicious as it was artery clogging), I took a sip of my beer, only to notice that the bar had a real-time board showing how popular the beers were.  My beer was about average sadly.  Prying myself away from the beer stock market, I picked up some breakfast for the morning, and grabbed a couple of beers to enjoy in my hotel before bed.  Nothing like trying some local beers - both craft and ordinary.

Next morning, I was picked up and driven to the airport, to pick up Andres friend and after arriving at the airport with 20 minutes to go...the board suddenly changed to the flight being delayed by two hours.

Giving up on trying to find out what happened, and with Timmies (Tim Hortons) in our hands, we decided to kill some time in the local 'mall' which also had a massive outdoor centre, that had all the usual gear including guns/crossbows/bows; targets shaped as animals; and vehicles. 

And by massive, I mean it had a plane hanging from the ceiling...

Over a waterfall...

Seriously...

So pretty damn large, and absolutely fascinating to see the range of available items that you can buy.  Sadly, it was time to head back to the airport, and after picking up the new arrival (with more coffee), we were shortly bundled into the truck and off to Banff, my final point of call!

After a somewhat scenic drive (understatement of the last half hour - Ed), we arrived not quite in the town of Banff, instead at Lake Minnewanka. 

*Hey!  You!  Stop sniggering at the back!

Ahem, Lake Minnewanka is a glacial lake near Banff, and is the longest in Canada at 17 miles long.  Additionally, it is stunning and it was my first real taste of the Rockies.  I will let my pictures do the talking, despite them conveying the beauty somewhat poorly.

After a while, we arrived in Banff and I was dropped off at the Hidden Ridge Resort, which was rather exquisite.  Basically, I had a small cabin to myself, complete with log fire (and free logs) and access to a hot tub looking over the mountains.  I've added some pictures below, including a requested picture of myself in the tub.

Feeling like a king, I took the bus into town (with a free bus pass provided by the hotel, I might add) and went for a wander around town, after deciding to try a Beaver Tail.  Don't worry, it's not an actual beaver tail.  It's a long flat donut (often covered in some sort of sauce), that's shaped like a beaver tail funnily enough.  Rather sickening actually.    In my wanderings, I came upon a rather beautiful waterfall, and a rather ornate looking hotel (which turns out to be hugely expensive spa hotel) whilst following the Bow River trail.

Now, Banff is an incredibly touristy town, I won't lie.  However, what do you really expect?  That said, that doesn't mean that the town itself isn't pretty, and compliments the surrounding mountains well.  Now, the mountains will always be the star of the show but the town ain't too hard on the eyes either.  It helps there are a plethora of bars and restaurants in the area as well, to help enjoy the atmosphere. 

As it was starting to get late, and having had my fill of wandering the area, I headed to a local craft beer restaurant for some, well, craft beer and the biggest bowl of jambalaya I had ever seen.  Suitably stuffed, I picked up some jerky and a few more beers, then headed off to the hot-tub.  I've said it before but there is something beautiful about bathing under the night sky, and this was no different.  I spent about an hour, nestled in my cocoon like bath staring at the sky, before I headed back to my cabin for a roaring log fire, with some jerky and beer.

So, a good start to Banff and I woke up feeling somewhat chirpy.  After a quick breakfast, and having been greeted by an even clearer day than before, I headed off to my next stop: coffee.  Er yes, I had fully adopted and embraced the idea of starting any journey, trip or walk with coffee.  This was from a recommended independent coffee store, and not a Timmies though.  So, a small difference.  Caffeined up, I headed off to my first actual stop: Sulphur Mountain.  Taking the bus, I arrived at the Gondola and headed up to the top of the mountain to the viewing area and the weather station.

Before I get to the views, the weather station is in-itself impressive!  Built in 1903, it was attended by multiple people who would often hike up to the peak, and back down with their equipment: often on a daily basis.  As for the view, it was well worth the trip.  Absolutely beautiful and the real star of the show.  Even if I hadn't had the rest of the trip, the Banff views would have been a good enough reason for the travel distance. 

Dragging myself down the hill, more related to the cold than wanting to leave, I decided to warm up in the local Hot Springs that are handily situated next to the mountain.  If you ever happen to be coming down a mountain (via gondola or walking or whatever) and you come across a hot spring, I would highly recommend a dip to warm up.

Feeling invigorated, and having defrosted, I flagged down the bus and was soon back in the village of Banff for some lunch: some poutine with bacon and egg.  Yes, I was an addict and no, it's not healthy.  And I regret nothing about it.  This was all washed down by another craft beer (hey, I was on holiday), before I headed to the Whyte Museum: a museum dedicated to the growth of Banff and with a special exhibit on the First Nation.  Not exactly massive, but it did have some good pieces on the people who helped to build up Banff and who then made the town what it is today.  It even had some information on the aforementioned weather station as well.

Bracing myself against the cooling air, I headed back outside and took a wander around the Fenland Trails: a wooded area that is close to the town.  Certainly had some good views, though not the best but it was nice to get out of the town for a bit.  After the short walk, I ended the day with some 'rodeo man 'n' cheese' from Wild Bill's whilst listening to some live country music.

Morning came too soon, and I was off to the visit the Banff Cave and Basin: a famous cave, with hot-springs within.  But whoopsie, after a long walk to the place, it turns out that it was closed.  This seems to happen quite a lot... Making the best of a bad situation, I wandered round the area, learning about the local wildlife before taking a trek along Sundance Valley which actually gave some of the best views of the trip...so er, maybe not a bad situation at all.

After the gorgeous views and woodland walk, I then headed to the First Nation Museum, designed somewhat like an old frontier fort.  Now, whilst the museum was fairly illuminating and had some truly fascinating facts about the First Nation, it was a little worn and perhaps a little bare which did detract from the appeal somewhat.  Still worth a look though, especially if you're interested in local history.

And then it was lunchtime, and managing to resist the pull of Poutine, I opted for a pulled pork roll (which was massive) and a maple cream beer.  Delicious combination.  This was then washed down by some famous Banff Ice Cream as I headed to my next stop: Vermillion Lake.

Basically, within a relatively short walk, and if you go further past the Fenland trails you'll find two fairly large lakes next to each other, which are well worth a look, even if you don't need to spend too long there.  I walked part of the way along them, and they provide a fairly clear view of the surrounding mountains across the waters.  I even managed to find a couple who were sitting together and sketching the area.

Coming back to town, I decided to go a walk to the 'Surprise View Corner': a corner along a fairly dodgy roadside track that gives a great view of the river below and of the fairytale-esque fancy hotel I mentioned earlier surrounded by trees. 

It was after this walk that, as I was sitting on a step mulling where to go for breakfast the next morning, that I looked up and suddenly saw three very large moose about 10 metres away...Now then, this may sound far but as it was around mating season, and you're generally recommended to stay about 10m away, I made a quick exit to a nearby bridge to get some photographs of the three.  I then rounded off the night with some shopping, some more poutine (OK, I admit, I possibly had a poutine problem but it was my last night in Canada and couldn't resist it) and a soak in the hot tub, followed by beer in my cabin.  Bliss.

Next morning, I woke up feeling a little down, as I was due to fly home that day but this was washed away by my morning plans  First up was one last soak in the hot tub, of course, and what a soak it was.  I miss that blissful bath.  Second, and finally, was breakfast.  I had decided the day before that I would head into town for a nice, large breakfast before I flew and I was not disappointed.  Sadly, I can't remember the name of the restaurant (this is what happen when you delay writing for a month - ED) but it was perfect. 

You walk into this small, dimly lit cafe with fans casting changing shadows over the walls, and light blues playing in the background before sitting down on the mismatched furniture.  Next, you're given the menu and a jar of water.  Yup, a jam jar.  Then, when your breakfast is ready, it's served to you in a griddle pan.  Thankfully, the food was even better than the atmosphere and I was one again stuffed with a New Orleans style breakfast with sausages, hash browns, bacon, eggs and pancakes, with the regular addition of maple syrup.  My cholesterol is thankful I don't eat like that often but it was a great way to end the trip and I was sufficiently stuffed as I made my way to the airport to fly home.

What a trip it was.  Two countries, staying in 6 different cities or towns.  Meeting up with old friends and making new ones as well.  Seeing one of the aforementioned friends get married to the love of his life.  Firing various guns.  Eating stupid amounts of food (especially poutine).  Chatting whilst driving several hours in Canada.  Tim Hortons.  It was a trip of a lifetime, not because I won't get to go to these places again (I hope I do) but because of the people involved, and the activities done.  So thank you to everyone who made it so special.

Pick of the Week

  

Cairngorm coffee - If you're ever out in Edinburgh and you're looking for some lunch, I would highly recommend that you take a trip to Cairngorm coffee for a grilled cheese sandwich and a coffee.  The cheese is thick and gooey, with good bread and sweet chilli jam spread all over it.  Brilliant for a winter day.

Music of the week

This week, it's Lindsay Stirling: a violinist who was on America’s got Talent (didn’t win though) and who is also a pretty good dancer!  Here is her Master of Tides.

And that's it from Canada!!  Next week: Belgium!