Week 33: BANFF-F-F-F: Canadian Rockies Bound

We’re going further North this week. We’re headed to the province on Alberta on a (car) camping trip to Banff.

This trip was probably my first time camping overseas, and it was for two weeks. I did not know what quite to expect. Where would we shower? How will we cook meals? What about wildlife? Fortunately, my friends were experienced campers so I had a lot of mentors. Plus, we’re going car camping, so it was not that drastic. It’s not like I needed to pack all my stuff in one big backpack (but I did).

It was also my first time in Canada. I almost made it through in during my weekend in Seattle, but did not have time. Also, this is in the Canadian Rockies. I’ve never seen huge mountains like what is on the t-shirt – well, except for Mt. Shasta.

Banff is actually the first Canadian National Park. It is also a UNESCO’s Canadian Rockies World Heritage Site. I can imagine why it was selected.  The scenery is magnificent: snow-capped mountain ranges, Lake Louise and Lake Louise Lodge, Bow Falls downtown, and abundant wildlife. In fact, featured in this t-shirt actually looks more like the equally beautiful Lake Moraine in the Valley of the Ten Peaks which provides a majestic view. This is actually at the back of the Canadian twenty-dollar bill.

The trip was actually quite adventurous, but not as traumatic. Traveling in a group made it comfortable. We did sleep in tents and in sleeping bags through the trip. The campgrounds were very nice – they have a cookhouse, some more rustic than others, where you can have meals away from the cold Canadian nights. Showers were in the malls and took Canadian quarters (Bring your Tevas or Keens to wear in the showers though, more hygienic).

More adventures in Canada to come in the next few weeks… For more information about Banff National Park, check out the National Geographic section on this wonderful park.