Kootenay
Quite tired today after a long drive up to Banff from Kalispell yesterday and a more successful (this time) navigation of the border crossing - no attempt this time to just drive straight through without stopping!

The majority of the journey very pretty and 'another' scorcher of a day. Stopped at a lovely spot to make a couple of calls (and to watch the turtles!).

But the experience upon entering the Kootenay National Park (part of the nornal route to Banff) was something else! Being a Canadian National Park, we were of course obliged to stop and purchase our pass (CAN$136) which enables us to enter any of the Canadian parks at any time over the next 2 years (might have to come back next year - oh shame eh!!). We were helpfully informed that we might see bears at some stage during the initial 15 kilometers but not to get out of our car. We really didn't know what to expect but within about two minutes, the landscape changed dramatically. What a place!!

And we did see a Black bear and a Brown bear:

Continuing our drive (7 hours in all with stops for pics), we just had to marvel at the landscape - mountains, lakes, rivers, forests - Kootenay has the lot!

Having checked into our hotel, we decided to get a feel for Banff town. A lot more chic than other places we have stayed in and clearly a place to be seen in! But it's still fairly small and easy to walk around. Jam Jars for beer though? Interesting concept!

Think Jan might try to get on a horse tomorrow? Yee Haa!!