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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Banff National Park in Canada
This is on our "list". Has anyone been? I'm thinking of going next Summer. Moraine Lake and Lake Louise look gorgeous. If you have been, can you share your itinerary, where you stayed, what you saw, etc. Thanks 
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Posted 9/8/18 5:50 PM  |
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MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
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Banff National Park in Canada
Haven't been but our friends went last summer and their pictures were breathtaking. I know they did Moraine Lake, Maligne Lake, Alabathca Glacier.
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| Posted 9/8/18 9:51 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Banff National Park in Canada
I will have to look up those other two, thanks!
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| Posted 9/8/18 10:29 PM |
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pjt212301
LIF Adult
Member since 7/12 1213 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
I stayed at the Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn which is about a 15 minute drive from the town of Banff (and was surrounded by even prettier mountains than Banff IMO). Hotel rates are much more reasonable in Canmore! Also it’s only an hour and fifteen minute drive back to Calgary airport from here.
Things I did that I highly recommend - Hiking Johnston Canyon, walking Moraine Lake and Lake Louise lakeshore trails (yes, it’s true - get there early! as in before 8 AM), canoeing either/both of those lakes, taking the Mt. Norquay scenic chairlift ride, driving to Takkakaw Falls and Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, splurging for dinner at Grizzly House fondue restaurant in downtown Banff (make a reservation), and of course taking a day to make the drive from Banff to Jasper or vice versa on the Icefields Parkway. Also be sure to bookmark the Banff parking website on your phone as it provides real time information about how many parking spots are available in each of the city’s free parking lots.
My last and most important recommendation - purchase the 4 GyPSy guide apps (bundle of 4 is $14.99 on App Store) for the Banff/Jasper areas! They use your phone’s GPS (no data signal required) to provide audio commentary about points of interest as you drive. It’s like having your own tour guide in the car. I can’t recommend this enough!
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| Posted 9/11/18 10:55 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Posted by pjt212301
I stayed at the Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn which is about a 15 minute drive from the town of Banff (and was surrounded by even prettier mountains than Banff IMO). Hotel rates are much more reasonable in Canmore! Also it’s only an hour and fifteen minute drive back to Calgary airport from here.
Things I did that I highly recommend - Hiking Johnston Canyon, walking Moraine Lake and Lake Louise lakeshore trails (yes, it’s true - get there early! as in before 8 AM), canoeing either/both of those lakes, taking the Mt. Norquay scenic chairlift ride, driving to Takkakaw Falls and Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, splurging for dinner at Grizzly House fondue restaurant in downtown Banff (make a reservation), and of course taking a day to make the drive from Banff to Jasper or vice versa on the Icefields Parkway. Also be sure to bookmark the Banff parking website on your phone as it provides real time information about how many parking spots are available in each of the city’s free parking lots.
My last and most important recommendation - purchase the 4 GyPSy guide apps (bundle of 4 is $14.99 on App Store) for the Banff/Jasper areas! They use your phone’s GPS (no data signal required) to provide audio commentary about points of interest as you drive. It’s like having your own tour guide in the car. I can’t recommend this enough!
Awesome, thanks so much!!
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| Posted 9/11/18 1:24 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Banff National Park in Canada
This is a post from last year, but I finally booked this trip, and we leave this month! We are staying 7 nights, and super excited!
If anyone else has any other tips, I will gladly accept them :)
Definitely downloading the Gypsy app. I've booked 7 nights in Kananaskis (near Canmore) and 1 night at the Glacier Lodge (it's SO far from our hotel and too much in one day). I booked the walk on glacier tour and the sky walk. We plan on Lake Louise and Morraine Lake, and definitely want to try canoeing (scared lol). I'm going to make ressies at Grizzy House
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| Posted 6/5/19 7:53 AM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Posted by pjt212301
I stayed at the Canmore Rocky Mountain Inn which is about a 15 minute drive from the town of Banff (and was surrounded by even prettier mountains than Banff IMO). Hotel rates are much more reasonable in Canmore! Also it’s only an hour and fifteen minute drive back to Calgary airport from here.
Things I did that I highly recommend - Hiking Johnston Canyon, walking Moraine Lake and Lake Louise lakeshore trails (yes, it’s true - get there early! as in before 8 AM), canoeing either/both of those lakes, taking the Mt. Norquay scenic chairlift ride, driving to Takkakaw Falls and Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, splurging for dinner at Grizzly House fondue restaurant in downtown Banff (make a reservation), and of course taking a day to make the drive from Banff to Jasper or vice versa on the Icefields Parkway. Also be sure to bookmark the Banff parking website on your phone as it provides real time information about how many parking spots are available in each of the city’s free parking lots.
My last and most important recommendation - purchase the 4 GyPSy guide apps (bundle of 4 is $14.99 on App Store) for the Banff/Jasper areas! They use your phone’s GPS (no data signal required) to provide audio commentary about points of interest as you drive. It’s like having your own tour guide in the car. I can’t recommend this enough!
Do you have pics to share? This trip sounds amazing.
Posted by BargainMama
This is a post from last year, but I finally booked this trip, and we leave this month! We are staying 7 nights, and super excited!
If anyone else has any other tips, I will gladly accept them :)
Definitely downloading the Gypsy app. I've booked 7 nights in Kananaskis (near Canmore) and 1 night at the Glacier Lodge (it's SO far from our hotel and too much in one day). I booked the walk on glacier tour and the sky walk. We plan on Lake Louise and Morraine Lake, and definitely want to try canoeing (scared lol). I'm going to make ressies at Grizzy House
PLEASE post some pics when you get back!
Message edited 6/5/2019 8:13:51 AM.
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| Posted 6/5/19 8:06 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Banff National Park in Canada
I will definitely share some pics! Looks gorgeous there!
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| Posted 6/5/19 8:30 AM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
This is on my list! Can't wait to hear what you thought when you get back.
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| Posted 6/5/19 1:58 PM |
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Bonsai
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/18 463 total posts
Name:
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Banff National Park in Canada
On my list too. Here some tips I saved from another group
Banff, Alberta ????
Here are some quick tips for those of you traveling to Banff this summer!
??Don't miss Lake Agnes - it's a bit of a hike, but it's gorgeous! Bring cash (CAD or USD) for the Teahouse at the top as they don't take credit cards!!!
??Save some $ by staying in Canmore! There are frequent shuttles that go all over the park - this will also save you precious time trying to find parking
??Make dinner reservations ahead of time - I highly recommend The Grizzly House (delicious fondue), very romantic but a bit pricey
??Don't miss the Banff Upper Hot Springs (AMAZING after a long day of hiking) - only about 8CAD/person
??Take advantage of the late summer sunsets (around 10-10:30pm) and miss the crowds by visiting the most touristy spots after dinner
??If driving around Banff, fill up your tank before you get into the park
??If you plan to drive to Vancouver, pack a lunch & snacks for the road - there's VERY little between Banff & Van City
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| Posted 6/5/19 10:56 PM |
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mommyof3girls
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 2773 total posts
Name:
Sue
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Posted by BargainMama
I will definitely share some pics! Looks gorgeous there!
WOW this sounds amazing!! Are you going with your kids?
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| Posted 6/6/19 11:41 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Posted by mommyof3girls
Posted by BargainMama
I will definitely share some pics! Looks gorgeous there!
WOW this sounds amazing!! Are you going with your kids?
I am! Our hotel has a Nordic Spa for me and a waterpark for them..win win lol
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| Posted 6/6/19 2:49 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
So our trip was AMAZING!! So gorgeous there!! Tons of driving, but we had a really good time. It was VERY busy there. The lines and traffic were insane at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Akin to Disney  Definitely a must do place though! Just don't go around their holiday weekend (July 1st is Canada Day there). We stayed at the Kananaskis Lodge (beautiful), but it was really far from everything. It was free with Marriott points, and it saved us about $3k in lodging. My kids loved the waterpark though.
Everything there is SUPER expensive! Even with the 30% exchange rate (everything is marked up at least 30%). Car rentals, hotels, food (Omg worse than Atlantis), attractions, merchandise, it was not a cheap trip. Our flights alone were $800 each to Calgary. Glad we had enough miles or one ticket at least.
Here is a pic from Moraine Lake, it was just so beautiful! I ordered it on huge wall metal print from Mpix, and I can't wait to get it!
Another from Moraine
Message edited 7/3/2019 12:04:08 PM.
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| Posted 7/3/19 11:36 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54917 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Posted by BargainMama
So our trip was AMAZING!! So gorgeous there!! Tons of driving, but we had a really good time. It was VERY busy there. The lines and traffic were insane at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Akin to Disney Definitely a must do place though! Just don't go around their holiday weekend (July 1st is Canada Day there)
Here is a pic from Moraine Lake, it was just so beautiful!
IMAGE
OMG! Is there a filter on that?
It looks surreal
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| Posted 7/3/19 11:38 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by BargainMama
So our trip was AMAZING!! So gorgeous there!! Tons of driving, but we had a really good time. It was VERY busy there. The lines and traffic were insane at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Akin to Disney Definitely a must do place though! Just don't go around their holiday weekend (July 1st is Canada Day there)
Here is a pic from Moraine Lake, it was just so beautiful!
IMAGE
OMG! Is there a filter on that?
It looks surreal
Nope! That's what it really looks like and was taken with my regular camera! So blue!!! So many blue lakes like that there!!
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| Posted 7/3/19 11:45 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Banff National Park in Canada
And sometimes it's light blue, sometimes more aqua, and sometimes just green looking. Depends on the sun, and the way it reflects on the "rock flour" (which is from the glacier that it's fed from)
The second time we went, it was more of turquoise color. I was going to post a video, but FB videos or pics aren't working right now (that's where it's posted at)
Message edited 7/3/2019 11:50:38 AM.
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| Posted 7/3/19 11:48 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54917 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
That is absolutely amazing.
It looks painted.
You need to blow that up and frame it somewhere.
Stunning!
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| Posted 7/3/19 12:23 PM |
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mommyof3girls
LIF Adult
Member since 5/12 2773 total posts
Name:
Sue
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Wow!!! Absolutely gorgeous. Glad you had an amazing time.
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| Posted 7/3/19 12:34 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
So beautiful! Any other tips having gone now? What was your itinerary? Did the kids enjoy, and how old are they?
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| Posted 7/8/19 12:11 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Posted by JandJ1224
So beautiful! Any other tips having gone now? What was your itinerary? Did the kids enjoy, and how old are they?
My kids loved it! My son is 20 (he has autism so developmentally younger), my daughter is 12.
We flew from JFK to Calgary (had a connection), no non stop on Delta other than West Jet affil..wasn't doing that).
I booked 7 nights at the Kananaskis Lodge. First day just hung at the lodge which has gorgeous scenery. We saw a mama bear and her cubs there on the side of the road.
Day 2 we got up at 6am, ate quickly and headed to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. It was 1.5 hours from our hotel, so a drive. On the way back stopped in Downtown Banff for Dinner and shopping, super cute town with tons of restaurants and store.
Day 3 was raining. We drove to the Bow Valley Parkway, which is scenic and hiked to Johnston Canyon Falls. Had lunch after the hike right there at their little cafe. The rain was off and on, and we decided not to drive the rest of the parkway and went back to our hotel. Kids swam every evening.
Day 4 was our day to drive to the Glacier. So we packed an overnight bag because we were staying at the Glacier View Lodge there so I wasn't driving 6 hours in one day. It was a 3 hour drive one way (without the stops). We stopped along the way on the Icefields Parkway at Peyto Lake, Bow Lake. Arrived at the Icefields Discovery Center at 1:15ish (where everything is, including the hotel). We did the glacier tour which was great!! We rode this big snow coach up the mountain and got to get out and walk on the glacier, fill our water bottles, take pics with all the flags up there. It was sleeting, windy and freezing though! They only give you like 20 minutes, but that was enough. Then we checked into the hotel, which was small and gorgeous. It was just opened back in June. So new, and fresh. It was almost $500 for the night though! We had a glacier view room. There is nothing to do there though. Board games in the lobby, so we played those. TV doesn't even get channels there!
Day 5, the next morning we woke up, had breakfast in the restaurant at the lodge (so good). Then we got on the first bus to the Glacier Sky Walk. That's a perk of staying in the hotel. First ones out. There were only 8 of us on the bus, and we had the glass sky walk to ourselves for a good 15 minutes. It was awesome! After that we drove back on the Icefields Parkway, stopped at Bow Lake again, then went back to our hotel.
Day 6, we went to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake again. The parking situation was a nightmare, and it was SO busy. I had to drive around a lot. Shuttle line was hours long. It was a holiday weekend and so busy there. Limited parking at the lakes. We spent hours at Moraine, and a short amount of time at Louise. Then we stopped for dinner in downtown Banff and went back to the hotel.
Day 7 was "Canada Day" and our hotel had a lot of activities that we did. Late afternoon I hit up the Nordic Spa on site, which was amazing.
Day 8, went back to airport!
We didn't do all the stuff I wanted to, mainly because 1. the weather sucks there...rains all the time, cold, then warm, cold then rain, it's awful. And the drive was FAR from our hotel. I wanted to do the Gondola, but there wasn't really a clear day where we could fit in it. I wouldn't do it in the clouds. We also wanted to hike to a tea house from Lake Louise, but didn't get to do that. I also wanted to go to Emerald Lake, but that is the day we did Moraine and Louise again, which took up our entire day. I wanted to canoe, but I was nervous with it being myself and 2 kids, I didn't want to tip and freak out LOL. Also wanted to do the Banff Canoe Club big canoe trip (holds like 12 people), but we just didn't have time)
Overall it was a great trip! SO Expensive though, and SO much driving. Glad I was able to cross it off the bucket list though!! Everyone in Canada is SO friendly! It was amazing how nice they all were!
The Banff & Jasper group on Facebook is SUPER helpful! It was a great resource for me!
IF you decide to make this trip, staying in downtown Banff is the best way to go! Then maybe staying at the Glacier View Lodge if you want to see the Glacier, or continue onto Jasper park and stay there for a few days. I didn't go into Jasper because our hotel was free on Marriott points, and everything is just really expensive there as far as lodging goes. If you want to save a little money, I would stay in Canmore. That's about 20 minutes from downtown Banff, and less expensive.
Message edited 7/8/2019 2:44:56 PM.
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| Posted 7/8/19 2:35 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
I will post a few more pics
Moraine Lake on our second time there, water was a slightly different color
Bear on the side of the Icefields Parkway
Skywalk
Glacier Walk
Peyto Lake
Bow Lake
Johnston Canyon Falls hike
Lake Louise (crappy cell phone pic since my camera broke)
Hotel mini waterpark
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| Posted 7/8/19 2:40 PM |
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JandJ1224
Member since 6/06 5911 total posts
Name:
Jannette
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Thank you for including so many details! As I was reading I was thinking I’d really love to see your pictures and then there they were!
The views look breathtakingly beautiful :
Message edited 7/8/2019 10:25:44 PM.
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| Posted 7/8/19 10:25 PM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
OMG these are AMAZING adding this to my list of MUST SEE places! Thank you for sharing!!
Posted by BargainMama
Lake Louise (crappy cell phone pic since my camera broke)
IMAGE
I LOVE how this looks like 2 different pictures the way water line is in the middle of the photo.
It looks like 1 picture of mountains and1 picture of water! Amazing.
Message edited 7/9/2019 7:52:27 PM.
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| Posted 7/9/19 7:50 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Posted by MsSissy
OMG these are AMAZING adding this to my list of MUST SEE places! Thank you for sharing!!
Posted by BargainMama
Lake Louise (crappy cell phone pic since my camera broke)
IMAGE
I LOVE how this looks like 2 different pictures the way water line is in the middle of the photo.
It looks like 1 picture of mountains and1 picture of water! Amazing.
Yes, pretty cool right? That's a glacier in the mountain that feeds the lake! The lake was FREEZING! My daughter stuck her face in LOL
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| Posted 7/9/19 7:58 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Banff National Park in Canada
Posted by JandJ1224
Thank you for including so many details! As I was reading I was thinking I’d really love to see your pictures and then there they were!
The views look breathtakingly beautiful :
It really was so scenic and so surreal!
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| Posted 7/9/19 7:58 PM |
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