The Leaving... for Banff

Leaving can be hard,

especially when leaving four very active boys.

We prepared by flying Grandma up for a week with an amazing fare from Allegiant Airlines,

 assigning additional responsibilities to the older boys, 

and typing up a three day schedule of activities.

We also had Grandma practice driving our Suburban around town, along the school routes. 

A friend got us a great rate at the Fairmont at Banff Springs.

We felt prepared.

Then, the morning of our departure arrived

and Grandma felt sick to her stomach. 

She was on the couch, Little Bear mimicking her. 

Do we leave?

What do we do?

We decide to leave, drop the three oldest at school and head north to Canada.

The border is an hour away.

Then we got the text-

Baby just threw up and has diarrhea.

Seriously, of all the days! 

Now, I am stressed. Should we turn around?

Maybe with the first baby- we would have.

But, this is our fourth.

We drive on

and get our first glimpse of the Canadian Rockies.

This water wheel was just sitting on a hill we passed on the way.

Next time I want to see it up close.

The weather changed several times and the texts from my mom grew more promising.

I relaxed as we drove under a rainbow.

The landscape was interesting because there would be snow-capped peaks that looks like the Swiss Alps and then something like this that reminded us of desert mountains.

On the way up, we spotted a moose. A real moose.

I wasn't quick enough with my camera. Boo hoo!

I loved how the signs changed across the border, everything posted in English and French.

We drove  through a National Forrest and then in what seemed like the middle of the mountains, arrived in Banff. 

It sits alone, surrounded by nature.

It is the cleanest town I have ever seen and that is saying a lot because Whitefish is pretty clean.

We were surprised by how quaint and cosmopolitan it was at the same time.

Pubs and restaurants abound.

I loved walking the streets, looking at the

elk just wandering the streets

eating delish hamburgers and sweet potato fries at The Eddie Burger

browsing the shops which included a Gap, Patagonia, Quicksilver, Billabong

and a North Face store.

If you ever have the chance, you must stop in Banff.

By the way, Grandma survived. 

None of the other kids got it.

Until today.

I won't bore you with the messy details.