BANFF

The girls of group 41164, with our lovely Project Leader Erin. (Helena, Me, Morgan, Jill, Kristen, Erin, and in front Jaz) We are in front of Lake Louise.

So here is the deal with going to Banff. You have to do a protocol for trips like this, and fill out information on EVERYTHING! It is the worst thing in the world, Helena and I had to write the protocol for Banff. It was a painful process and everyone was getting upset at us, and yelling at us when stupid things went wrong. We sent it in a week ago(Not our fault, no one gave us the list of what they wanted *cough cough projects committee), even though they are supposed to be submitted 20 days in advance. The day we were supposed to go we didn't even know if our protocol was going to be accepted.

I get home from work Friday, and quickly eat and jump in the van. We drive all the way to Canmore and stay the night there. (The canmore group was very nice, we are sad that when we go to Quebec City they stay here in Canmore because they are eco living) Saturday we drive to Banff. We go straight to our campsite in Lake Louise. Then we tour around lake Louise being tourists. After Lake Louise we drove back to Banff. Banff is truly beautiful. It is the perfect winter wonderland, its has a cottage like feel to all of the buildings in the town. We got to spend an hour in Banff, I bought delicious fudge and just enjoyed the beauty of banff. (I want to take my twin there one day:) ) We decided that it would be a good idea to climb/hike Sulphur Mountain. That involved me pushing my body up it. It was so tiring, it took us 2 and a half hours. My COAST teachers would be proud of me! (Any COAST kid, it was way worse than the devils staircase!) While we were trudging up the mountain it started snowing...in September. We get to the top and see mountain goats and a beautiful view. It was freezing, and I was already wearing a lot of layers (long johns, fleece pants, wool socks, a sweater, a jacket, a t-shirt) We took a group picture, and then wandered to the gondola. It was a two and a half hour hike up the mountain, yet it was an eight minute gondola ride down. But it was rewarding we went to the Banff Hot springs afterwards. Sunday we did a hike around Lake Louise (Just a small walk around) and then did canoeing! I love to canoe, aw Bowron Lakes! But the guy I was paddling with said he knew how to steer and so I let him. BIG MISTAKE! He kept zigzaging and not knowing how to turn, or what a J-stroke was. So I told him I would steer and then we switched positions, much better. Although he kept trying to correct my steering, I wanted to yell at this boy to stop! It was frustrating, I know how to steer a canoe buddy! After that we went back to the Canmore house and chilled there for a few hours. Then we drove back to lovely lethbridge getting there at around elevenish.

Banff was fun, and an amazing experience. I cannot believe that I actually pulled it off and planned it. Everyone seemed to have a good time. (Although house managers forgot a lot of things, so we went kind of hungy. They forgot a pot...so everything was cold...I ate apples and trail mix all weekend)

Nine days left in Lethbridge
two days left of work (Wednesday, and Friday-House managing tuesday and thursday)
Donating blood on the 27th
Travel day 28th information
Leaving Lethbridge at 2:30
getting to Calgary airport 5:35
Plane leaving Calgary 9:30
Arriving in Edmonton 10:16
Leaving for Quebec City 13:30
arriving in Quebec City with a layover in Toronto 20:52
It will be a long day