Gina Sees Her First Bear at Banff Park

We woke up to a hazy and partly cloudy day with a temperature of 33 degrees. It looked like it would be another Louisiana winter kind of day. The weather wasn’t going to stop us as we were on the road at 9:30 heading to Banff National Park of Canada. Banff is the oldest national park in Canada and the third oldest in the world. It was established in 1885.

We took 254 pictures today and after our editing we uploaded 60 of them to our online photo album. If you desire to see them all just click this link: online photo album

Gina's first view of a bear in the wild


We're heading to these mountains


Welcome sign to Banff National Park


Castle Mountain (9,390 ft)




Check out this old gas pump it's still working


Different view of Castle Mountain

The mountains in Banff are beautiful. We were in awe of the majestic views. As we drove down the road we came upon a black bear. Gina has been trying to see a bear in the wild since we arrived in Montana. Well she got her wish today.

Just had to include one more picture of this fellow

Our first stop was Lake Louise. The beauty was unbelievable. The green hue of the lake was astonishing and so clear.

Lake Louise


What a backdrop for a photo


Gina, me, Brenda and John


Gina just loved these uniforms

From there we drove to Moraine Lake. It is smaller than Lake Louise. However, the views were still just as magnificent.

Moraine Lake


This little chipmunk was quite content eating

By this time we were hungry and drove to the town of Banff. We ate at a place named St. James Gate Irish Pub.

Welcome sign to the town of Banff


For you Rickey, a true Irish pub with excellent food


Mount Rundle (9,675 ft), absolutely beautiful

The food was excellent and afterward we walked through town for a few minutes.

One of many street views in Banff


This is the first bridge I've seen for animals to cross the highway


Valley of Ten Peaks
(clouds prevented us from seeing the ten peaks, all ten peaks are over 10,000 feet high)

We left Banff and were on our way to John & Brenda’s church, Cowboy Trails Church. What a wonderful church. Some of you may be wondering why Tuesday night since I was too. This is a true cowboy church. Most of the congregation didn't have time on Sunday morning because their ranch required their time. So when the church was established they decided on Tuesday night. This day and time allowed all of the ranchers / cowboys and their families an opportunity to attend church. This is a cowboy church like no others for sure. “eh” (as Canadians say “A” to everything) Gina and I really enjoyed the service.

We arrived back home around nine o’clock. We walked over to John & Brenda’s home for a few minutes after we let Angel and Zoey out. We just cannot thank John and Brenda enough for giving us such a wonderful day and showing us one of Canada’s most beautiful parks.


Gina & I hope everyone has a pleasant and wonderful day, enjoying what our Father has so graciously blessed us with.