Bow Falls, Alberta

The pictures today are ones I took from the beautiful Banff National Park, in the town of Banff.
Banff is about a 1 1/2 hour drive West of Calgary.

In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the world's third. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots.
There are many places within Banff National Park to visit, such as Johnston Canyon, Lake Louise, the Icefields, and the Banff Hot Springs to name a few. The scenery is awe-inspiring anywhere you go in this large park.

                                                            


Bow Falls
Photo courtesy of Carol V.



This is a Bighorn Sheep. You may see many of these around the Park.

There are many types of animals you might see on your trip through the Park. Bears, elk, beavers, and many more. It is not uncommon to see elk or moose wandering around the town of Banff, and locals have been known to just make a wide berth around them as they would another person walking down the street. 

 

 

 

 

 

Bow Falls runs into Bow River 

Photo courtesy of Carol V.

 

 

The nature trails and hiking areas of Banff National Park are numerous and have some breath-taking scenery along the way. As with most wilderness trails, you must be aware of your surroundings. You never know when you might run into a mother bear with her cubs or other wildlife. Make noise as you go to warn animals of your approach. Everyone involved will be happier and can go about their lives with hardly a worry. Educate yourself and talk to Wardens or guides in the area for tips and for keeping you and your surroundings safe. Bears may seem like cute and cuddly animals, but they can be deadly, especially if you come between a momma and her cubs! (What mother out there hasn't felt that rage for anyone messing with their kid?) They can also run much faster than you think they can. 



 

Banff Springs Hotel (now called Fairmont Springs Banff)
Photo courtesy of Carol V.
 

 

This late Victorian style hotel is commonly referred to as "The Castle in the Rockies". It is magnificent and beautiful. It was opened to the public in 1888, suffered a decline during WW 2 and had to close it's doors to the public. But it re-opened in 1945, and now enjoys it's reign once again. It is an expensive place to stay, so I have never stayed there, but you can visit and have Afternoon Tea there.

 

 

Marilyn Monroe and Robert Mitchum shot a movie near Bow Falls called "River of No Return".

 

 

Three Valley Gap

There is a spooky place between Three Valley Lake and the Monashee Mountains near Revelstoke, in the Interior of BC. It is off of the Trans-Canada Highway, and the name of it is Three Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town. The Bell family has restored these buildings and ghost town to allow you to see what it was like back in the pioneer days of the 1800's. Gold fever hit this area in 1862, but it didn't last long, and the buildings and towns were eventually abandoned.





Three Valley Gap
Photo courtesy of Carol V

 


This float has been in the Calgary Stampede, but I don't know how many years.

 

Three Valley Gap Saloon
Photo courtesy of Carol V



 My husband thought it would be fun to have his picture taken in this Saloon.

 



Three Valley Gap Roundhouse
Photo courtesy of Carol V


This is the original roundhouse and it still has some trains in it. It houses the museum now.

It is whispered around that there may be a ghost or two lingering around the ghost town. Maybe if you are real quiet, you can see one.


 



Elbow Falls

Today we are back in Alberta. About 45 minutes west of Calgary, lies the heart of the foothills at the base of the Rockies: Kananaskis Country. Among so many other beautiful places in Kananaskis is Elbow Falls Provincial Recreation Area. This area is wonderful for it's falls, hiking trails, picnic areas, and more.
You can go down the Elbow River in a canoe or raft.



Elbow River in Alberta
Photo courtesy of Rosanna E

If kayaking is more your style, then you can do that too!

Elbow River in Alberta
Photo courtesy of Rosanna E


But if you are more like me, and enjoy hiking and scenery, then this area offers some spectacular views.




Elbow Falls
Photo courtesy of Rosanna E

Standing near the edge of Elbow Falls
Photo courtesy of Rosanna E

    



 

 

     In June of 2013, Alberta suffered some of the largest flooding ever seen in Alberta's history.
          Part of the recreation area of Elbow Falls was completely destroyed by flood water.

Little Places

    We are back in BC again, as I received some pictures that were taken today in a small place called Little Fort, BC. It is located in the interior of BC in the North Thompson Valley. The town is west of the river you see below, which is the Thompson River. They are a small town, but due to the traffic on the YellowHead Highway, visitors are treated to their restaurants and general store, as well as hunting, fishing and, if you are lucky, their guest ranches.
   As you can see, we are in the thick of winter in Canada.




View of the Thompson River by Little Fort BC
Photo courtesy of Kate E

 

 

 




Another view of the Thompson River by Little Fort BC
Photo courtesy of Kate E

 If you live in Little Fort, or stay there, I would love to receive any pictures you have taken.


                                        

Little Fort has a place for ice cream called Out of this World Food Stand.

 

 

 

Alberta

Today we are looking at Alberta.
Alberta is the western most prairie province. There are 3 prairie provinces; Alberta, then Saskatchewan, and lastly Manitoba. They run side by side. They are called "prairie provinces" because they have the most flatland and prairies (grasslands) in Canada, although there is more hilly and forested areas to the north of these provinces. It is below the Northwest Territories, and above the state of Montana.
Alberta is nestled up beside BC and the Rockie Mountains.
Alberta became a province in 1905. The capital city is Edmonton. The largest city is Calgary, where "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" - The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede - takes place (But I am a little biased because this is where I live).
There are a lot of national parks, but 3 that come to mind for me, are: Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, and Waterton Lakes National Park. Banff National Park is an area of Alberta that I have spent quite a bit of time in. The town of Banff is a big tourist attraction, boasting some beautiful scenery, waterfalls, rivers, elk, bear and deer, as well as great hiking trails, horseback riding trails, and some of the best skiing areas.



Bow River in the town of Banff.
Photo courtesy of Carol V.

 

 

                                                   The Sundance Kid once worked as a ranch hand in Alberta.


There is much more to say about Alberta, so I hope you Albertans start sending in your photos.

Starting With British Columbia

I have my first official guest posting, so I know at least one person read my blog.

These are some photos from British Columbia or BC as Canadians know it. British Columbia is the third largest and most westerly province in Canada, it's larger than any of the U.S. states, except Alaska, and is four times larger than Great Britain.  The Pacific Ocean is to the West. Above the province is Alaska, and below it borders 3 states: Washington, Idaho and Montana. Victoria is the provincial capitol, with Vancouver being the largest city. B.C. was the sixth province added to Canada, and it joined the confederation on July 20, 1871. The province has 1,030 parks and protected areas.





Shipyard North Vancouver over looking the beautiful downtown core
Photo courtesy of Troy H




Waterfall at Davis Lake B.C.
Photo courtesy of Troy H

Victoria’s is the first and oldest Chinatown in Canada and second oldest in
 North America after San Francisco.





 



Harrison Lake B.C Taken Summer 2015
Photo courtesy of Troy H



So there you are. A little bit of a look at BC. I know there is so much more to show, so get your cameras out!



January 8, 2016

Hello!
Welcome to my new blog. I wanted to start this blog because I love my country of Canada and want others to learn of it in a unique way. I know it is just as easy to search Canada out on the internet, but I hope to introduce people in a fun way as well. Now, as a disclaimer, I am currently living in Tennessee for awhile, but I am Canadian through and through. Also, my experience of Canada remains mostly West, but I am hoping to learn along with everyone else, more about the Canada I don't know much about. I was born in Ontario, and have only been there a few times, and I haven't been past Ontario.

I wish to have this blog be interactive. (no tests involved!) I would like you Canadians (or even anyone that has visited Canada) to send me photos of your little hamlet to your big cities, whether it is on vacation, animals, birds, buildings, or events and fairs. Anything that shows us the unique and beautiful country we live in.
I will be posting the ones that fit my blog, so don't send me anything of a nature that is not applicable to this blog, or is political, profane, provocative, or plain perverse, please. :)  I want this to be a family blog that teaches, or helps us to learn more, about Canada.
Add a description to your photo so I can add it to the blog. I don't know anything about your little village in P.E.I.
If you have people in your picture, please again, be aware that I will be posting them.
 I will also give credit to the photographer. IE: Photo taken by Carol V. of Calgary, AB.
 Please send me pictures that are .JPEG only.
Also, please ensure that the photo you send me is yours.
Do not send me photos you find on the internet. You can use the "Contact Me" on the sidebar.
Depending on the size, I may edit the photo to fit the blog.



Now that the intros and rules are over, let's begin.

As you can see, Canada has 10 provinces (like States) and 3 Territories. Our smallest province is Prince Edward Island. Canada is the second largest country in the world, but we have much less population than the United States. In 2014, our population was just over 35 million. Our capitol is Ottawa in Ontario, the leader of the country is called a Prime Minister. We have 2 official languages : French and English. Canada is a constitutional monarchy, the head of state being the monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. The monarch's representative in Canada is the Governor-General. For the most part, the monarch (through her representative, the Governor-General) is a figurehead, and what little real power she has is reserved for times of crisis.
We celebrate Canada becoming a country on July 1, 1867.
And yes, we do have snow, and plenty of it in the winter. We also have some very hot summers.

Yes, there are people who say `eh', but not after every sentence. :)

So for now, I will leave it at that and add more facts and interesting things about Canada.





Bow Falls in Banff, Alberta
Photo by Carol V