Calgary/Banff - 4 of 4

Monday afternoon we left Whistler and headed East in hopes of making it to Kamloops B.C.

The drive was amazing (not done justice by our out-the-windshield photography). A lot of up/down and narrow roads but beautiful scenery: waterfalls, lakes, glaciers, granite peaks.

 Unfortunately we were on a schedule so we only made a few stops for Morgan to pee (which was more often than any 6-year-old-girl should have to go). That night we made it to Cache Creek B.C., which was short of our goal but we found a nice little campground that had a pool. The kids had a great time there because they'd been cooped up in the car for 6 hours.

The next day we set out for Banff (all day drive). 

This leg was even more scenic as we went through the Canada-side of Glacier Park.

 Pulled over for a Spaghettio lunch in Revelstoke.

We decided that next year (or when we go back we'll hover between Revelstoke and Banff) it was so awesome and we could only imagine what it looked like off the beaten path. 

That evening we made it all the way to Banff and found a nice campground. Unfortunately we didn't have any water in our camper; and the campground didn't have hookups, but we made do... Daddy made an awesome Chicken dinner.

Here's the family photo you've been subjected to for over a month (due to my lack of blogging). It was our favorite...and still is :)

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After this Daddy took the camper and headed back home so he could return to work. Mommy, 2nd Grandma and the kiddos hung out in Calgary for two days and extended the vacation a little. 

We initially planned (back in May) to go to the zoo but Calgary flooded in early June and the zoo was still not open for business. Mommy's cousin Karen lives in Calgary so she helped us find a hotel, fed us, and showed us an awesome place called Heritage Park. 

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The weather was pretty cool and gloomy that day but it worked our perfectly because not as many people came to the park...yeah...no lines! The park was 100+acres and was a living history museum w/ and amusement park.

The kids in the schoolhouse taking a spelling test on their chalkboards. Each building had somebody that was dressed the part and interacted with the kids (or adults if you have questions).

The kids even got locked up by the Mounted Police. After this Mommy and Grandma left them and went to have coffee...not really but they were a little worried that we weren't going to let them out.

Playing on the teeter totters...they loved these.

We rode the steam train

The kids with my cousin Karen and her son Nash. After this ride Nash was over Heritage Park and had to go home for a nap. But it was fun to meet up and catch up with Karen. 

Checking out the old box cars...reminded me of the books I used to read: The Box Car Children.

We took a lap out on the river in the S.S Moyie Riverboat. 

Morgan was nervous...Tyson was excited. By the end of the ride Tyson was nervous and Morgan was hanging off the railing...go figure. 

So we had forced them to do the history stuff long enough...onto the rides. 

Grandma was nice enough to ride with them, as Mommy cannot handle spinny rides. 

I did take one ride on the swings and yes...no more. 

Kaitlyn and Grandma on the Ferris Wheel. 

They even had a little kid Ferris Wheel...no adults...perfect!

Devin probably rode 10 times with Morgan, Tyson and kids he didn't even know. He loved it.

This one was the kids' favorite, called the Caterpillar and it went up/down and around really fast

then after a few laps this green cover came over and you were in the dark going up/down and around. The thought of this made Mommy queasy so yes, lots of trips on this ride for Grandma. 

Everyone loved the carousel...they wore it out.

On the way out we posed for pictures with the local wildlife...

And last but not least, the trolley that took us to our car. 

The boys got a kick out of this...it was a good finish to a great day.

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Back at the hotel was a nice outdoor pool. The weather was not perfect for this but the kiddos did not care. 

They spent hours playing and Mommy only had to go once. 

We left Calgary on Friday and headed back home. Had a nice break in both Lethbridge and Great Falls and made it home by midnight. It was good to be home!