Thursday, July 10, 2025

July 10th - Calgary to Banff

Moxie's breakfast was awesome but no Senior menu so I still ordered a classic breaky but 1 egg instead of 3 and was given some fruit. Coffee was GRRREAT and I had a pineapple mint sparkling juice - so refreshing! Now waiting for Brewsters bus to take us to Banff!!! 11:35 boarded and on our way! BYE BYE Calgary!!! What a dreary coolish day - ideal for a bus trip. Guess we won't see much of the mountains on this trip till in them! Kinda foggy too! Never mind the rain streaked pebbled windows. Hey I'm back at the airport for guest pickups - WOW!!! For future trips I could miss out Calgary totally!!!






The bridge and river pic is somewhere between the airport and Jumping Pound Road?


We're going past Canmore but not stopping - so no quilt shop stop for me!!!

The mountains were peaking thru heavy clouds but still WOW! 





















Arriving at Canalta Lodge first on the outskirts of Banff - lovely - only 7 years. We checked in, rooms not ready, so booked our Gondola and Hot Springs tours along with the free shuttle for tomorrow. WOW, I get to do both interests in one trip! Then we left our luggage behind and walked into downtown to the Rocky Mountaineer Adventure office to get our welcome packages - lovely chap!!!  



And right across the street was Banff Poutine which Rod had high expectations after being recommended to eat some while in Canada. I was a little anxious as I was not sure about it - but it said "Authentic Montréal Style Eatery" so I hoped so! He was a little disappointed but by 3ish we were long overdue for food and after a long walk too!




So back at our hotel some 6,149 steps later we got our luggage and up to the room for a feet up rest before Happy Hour and supper down the street. OOOHHHHH BOY my room has a balcony and faces the forest and mountains!!!





Well our supper at Sudden Sally's in the Hotel Canoe & Suites was good food but our waitress was not attentive at all, didn't even ask if we wanted dessert or coffee, so tip was a goner! So back at the hotel for the night with a grand total of 7,277 steps for the day! 

July 9th - Calgary

My Western trip with Leanne Hyatt and Rod has finally started! Not sure about my mobility but I'm not going to let it stop me if I can help it!

Well it was a half hour late start but I still dropped off my car 8:10 but as I was stowing my ticket I DROPPED my day's meds and vitamins container. Wonder if they are inside or out near the hatch and still be there when I return? I've my meds in my backpack so took them with my Airport Tim's breakfast, so no problem! You know I debated wearing capris, lighter tee and sandals! Glad I didn't as again I was freezing and closed my air vent. Why are public vehicles so cold?

Departing Winnipeg, smokey haze.

Arriving Calgary, cloudiness.

Calgary Saddledom 

My taxi driver was very nice and casual driving and pointed out some points of interest but I was not fast enough to snap pics. Once I arrived we all went off to get me some lunch along the Bow River using the LRT free service and walking. Then walked around and back to the Calgary Tower to see the sights and Rod guided me onto the glass platform while Leanne snapped the pics, I couldn't look down as my head would start to spin!!! I did not know the Stampede was within city limits and that the Calgary Saddledom was on Stampede property! That's what the plaque said.  










Scarey!


Calgary Saddledom and Stampede grounds.


Mountains just visible.

Olympic ski jump and luge in far background.



Rod steadied me and Leanne got the pics!!!

Tried to look down, started dizziness.



Well I was done in walking (forgot to turn on my counter), had to stop a few times before catching the LRT back to our Sandman Signature Dntn hotel. Now refreshed and waiting for happy hour before supper at Moxie's. 

Moxie's was different here than what I remember Winnipeg's that's for sure. Food was awesome, service prompt n steady and company great! I'm beat and think an early night before late morning departure to Banff!


July 10th

Dang I could not regulate the fan/AC so had good sleep under comfy covers!!! Woke to rain/drizzle, supposedly most of the day.

Moxie's did an awesome classic breakfast but no Senior menu so thankfully I shared. Also did my online checkin for the Rocky Mountaineer Adventure while relaxing after breaky. Now all packed up, ready to checkout and head by a 3 hour bus trip to Banff.  

Onto the next ADVENTURE!