Maggie Heading West: Day 16 Banff

Even though we have spent more time here than anywhere, it is with some regret that we leave Calgary. I’m sure we could spend another week here and not run out of things to discover that entertain and delight. But the mountains are waiting so we’re off. This time with Jeffrey, Nancy and Cecilia as they join us for the next 12 days – yeah!!!

In Grandpa's truck already to go.

A quick stop at an RV dealer – life on the road isn’t without its hiccups, but you do want good trailer brakes while crossing the mountains – gave me some time to appreciated an unobstructed view of the mountains. Our friend Mary predicted that I would run out of words to describe them. She wasn’t quite right since I just don’t even know where to start. They really do take your breath away with their beauty and grandeur. I’m reminded of my days last summer sitting on the edge of the North Atlantic in Newfoundland. In both case there is an overwhelming sense of God’s plan and your place in it. Funny though, despite feeling very small and insignificant in the great scheme of things, there is an incredible peace that God is in his heaven and all is right with the world.

What a small world it is! Today we planned a stop in Canmore to visit with my Dad’s youngest brother and my Godfather, Uncle Keith. I haven’t seen him in years and was very much looking forward to the visit. Jeffrey and Nancy had already been in Canmore on the weekend before we arrived. Nancy’s Aunt Sue (and Godmother) and Uncle John have a beautiful spot in Canmore too. Coincidence you say? What about the fact that when we arrived we discovered that Nancy’s Godmother and my Godfather live across the street from one another!!

After a lovely visit with Uncle Keith we were on our way to find our campsite at Tunnel Mountain in Banff National Park. Unbelievable … we are nestled on the side of a hill surrounded by mountains, and hoodoos and northern forest and wild flowers and golden mantle squirrels and birds and … you get the idea! The myriad of feathered creatures alone, is fascinating. Only my Mother would know the names of all the birds that surround us. A Clark’s Nutcracker and Lark Buntings were the only ones that sat still long enough for me to identify!

We set up and hiked around the campground just because there was no need to go any further to experience the raw beauty of the Canadian Rockies. At one point David asked me to stop so he could get a picture of me pushing Cecilia with the mountain in the background. I realize when we faced the camera and saw another mountain peak rise behind David that there was literally no way he could take as picture of us without a mountain in the background!