Mount Norquay, Cave and Basin, Elevation place and Kananaskis Country

These holiday pictures are burning a hole in my pocket. Is that even possible? Not really I guess. I keep thinking I should post them, but alas, life is keeping me hopping. School, bible study, music lessons and such have all started for the season (did I ever mention we have a boarder now too?) and I'm almost maxed out.   Which is good, keeps me out of trouble I'm sure, but finding an evening to blog takes some effort! 
But I do love these pictures and want to share them with you:)  so I hope you enjoy them too! 
It starts with Wednesday morning and sunshine - a perfect morning to go to Mount Norquay in Banff.  It offered a ride up the ski chair to some pretty amazing views. Sadly children under the age of four were not allowed up so I stayed behind by the Chalet with Rowan and Abby, having a beautiful cup of coffee.
The pull for Andy was the climbing this mountain offered with its Via Feratta climbs. You can click on that link I've put in, should lead to the website about the tours.  Andy's hoping the boys get excited about these sorts of things so when they are older he will have some climbing companions:)  I'm thinking I'd like to go too!

Tristan has climbing in his blood, just like his father. 

Once we left Mount Norquay the forecasted rain started so we chose some activities that were better suited to the weather. One was visiting the Cave and Basin attraction in Banff where the sulpher springs were. We didn't see as much as we would have liked due to the rain but the indoor exhibits were still interesting. That sulpher though.... what a smell!

We toured around the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, I've heard that if you act like you belong someplace, no one will question you being there.... we found a few beautiful spots which we will keep in mind for picnics someday...;) 

With climbing still fresh in the boys' mind and the cold wet weather outside we found an indoor pool and climbing wall in Canmore to spend some time!  What a great time we had, Seth loooved the big waterslide and I got a talking to from one of the lifeguards since all children 8 and under are supposed to be with-in one metre of their parents.  Seriously, rules these days.  ;)  Seth was allowed to do a little test for them which was swimming in deep water 25 metres (75 feet) alone.   I didn't know if he could do it but it was worth a try.  Apparently it was easy peasy and the lifeguards gave him free reign after that!  Yay!
After swimming we walked about 10 feet down the hallway to the climbing wall - this was something Tristan really wanted to do with Andy,and they had such a super time together.   Tristan a thin and quite small but he has alot of stamina! They climbed until the could climb no more! It was fun for us to watch and cheer.

Tristan is the lower climber, Andy the higher one.

Thursday morning was time pack up/clean up and head out already!  I made a big breakfast of sausages and eggs with toast.  Nice and heavy to keep us full for a while. 

See Abby's foot on the table? That's how she cruises!

We took the scenic drive back to Calgary on the Smith-Dorrien Trail thru Kananaskis Country and the Peter Lougheed Park.  It was a gorgeous drive, real back country, prestine views and lots of wildlife for the kids to get all excited about.  Very remote, I wouldn't want to get stuck or be stranded alone.  That's my sales pitch for that route;)  

Cute little cloud floating over the lake

This princess brings so much joy!!! (That FACE! )

Seth loves taking pictures for us. He's a sweet boy.

She was crying in her car seat... she wanted out!

Some of my favourite people :)

Something was funny!!

And now here we are far away from the mountains but we have some lovely memories.  The kids thoroughly enjoy going away and Rowan keeps asking when we go back.  We love the Canadian Rockies, but we also love the prairies we call home.  Everything has beauty of its own. In this land where we live there is so much to see and do, so many opportunities, so much wealth.  God keep our land!