My favourite photo from my trip to the top of Sulphur Mountain, the conditions on that day could not have been more perfect!

I haven’t been up the gondola in years and it’s easy to forget how beautiful it is. Also it’s a great place to think about things, especially the day I went. It was really quiet and not many people were around. It was the perfect place for me to figure things out.

Here are some views and I’ll share more over the next few days!

I had heard that it was closed but on the beautiful sunny day that I arrived, it was open. It is so nice to sit in a hot pool, relax and take in the beautiful views. It was a great end to my wonderful few days in Banff. A much needed break that gave me time to think, clear my head and make a difficult decision. More on that tomorrow.

Today I’ll just imagine sitting in a wonderful pool, enjoying the sun and preparing to take a huge step towards changing my life.

That one is totally meant for me, if there is something to trip over or hit my head on I’m tripping or hitting my head. Sometimes signs don’t help, I see the sign, it registers but I trip or hit my head anyway.

This one needs to have a beer drawn in his hand and a “Woo Hoo” balloon over his head!

Very slippery in Banff, lots of signs of people slipping. That day it was pretty clear but still a few slippery parts where I clung onto the hand rails like an old lady afraid of breaking a hip. Oh wait I am an “older” lady afraid of breaking a hip………….

On a clear day it’s beautiful and it was nice that the sky cleared as the first day in Banff it was cloudy and you could just barely make it out. I was glad Carole got the view that is so famous, it would be a shame to come all the way from Australia and miss it!

My roommate when I lived in Banff used to tell me my hair was “Mount Rundle-ing”, which meant it was all squished to one side. I used to have short, spiky red hair and in the mornings sometimes I would only have time to brush my teeth or fix my hair. Of course I would choose my teeth, splash water on my face and run my fingers through my hair. Leaving me looking a bit like Bill the Cat.

I was eighteen when I lived there and for parents out there I on one hand would never recommend sending your child to work in Banff, at any age. On the other hand I had SO MUCH FUN I wouldn’t want to deny somebody else the experience. It was like going to college except there was no homework and you got a pay cheque!

I’d never been on a helicopter, when Carole first mentioned our options for morning tours and helicopter was one of them I thought “OMG How fun would that be?”

I was right it was amazing! It was a beautiful clear morning and we were the last group to go. We stood and watched the others take off and then come back. I was a little nervous but thought the views would make it all worthwhile.

As we took off Carole gave me the thumbs up!

Then we got to fly by the Three Sisters (Faith, Charity and Hope). The views were stunning and flying so close to the mountains was thrilling. My only complaint was the flight wasn’t long enough. Now I can check helicopter ride off my list of things to do!

Here are some of the views:

I saw the deer on my walk up to the Banff Springs Hotel. A walk that brings back memories of being eighteen and living in Banff. It’s changed a lot but that walk is pretty much the same and oddly still feels familiar.

Especially when you see a deer. It used to be part of everyday life, seeing a deer or an elk, the year I lived in Banff. A deer looking for food, ignoring the people taking pictures.

It took me back to my first home away from home and how exciting the whole living in Banff was at the time. It was a ton of fun and I did learn many things that I can’t put on my resume but I wouldn’t go back. Banff is best experienced when you are young and don’t know better. Was nice to go back and see where I used to live and work and remember a much more carefree time in my life.

The reason I went to Banff was to meet up with Carole! I met Carole last year in Ecuador and we bonded the first night after being dropped off at the creepiest hotel I have ever stayed at. Was really good to see her and where to go first?

The Candy Store! (Yes if you travel all the way from Australia I will take you to a Candy Store, thankfully Carole likes candy).

Also is was a cloudy day and the views were minimal, to say the least. Mount Rundle was barely visible from Banff Avenue. When you can’t see the wilderness you can spend some time contemplating all the different kinds of licorice the store has.

We left with our bags of chocolate and happy with the always good service at the store. The Candy Store was Banff to me when I was young and it is still the one place I HAVE to go when I visit Banff.