Well Hey There! I’m finally back from our little getaway trip out west. We were gone for two weeks (didyamissmelol?) and had a wonderful time. TheFirstChild, SweetiePie and I drove out, then TheSecondChild joined us for the second week and TheFirstChild flew home early — I think one cross-country drive was enough for him!
Our trip started off with a big bang and a quickie visit with my beloveed Ms. Farmhouse. She very graciously provided beds for us in her gorgeous home. Our visit was way too short, but it was so fun to see her — we normally only get to catch up at quilt markets. One of the best things for me was to see her beautiful nest. Boy, oh boy, what a sewing room — this is only part of it!
And the best part is, the kids thought I was over the top with my little quilting hobby. Thank you Ms. Farmhouse for making me look normal — the kids commented that I’ve found my twin. (If only my dungeon could come close to being a twin to the nest!)
The second day of the trip, we made it almost to Calgary and then our final destination, Banff, on the morning of the third day. Wow, oh Wow! Banff National Park is just beautiful. I don’t even have the words to describe how lush and green and pretty it is. We spent our three days there hiking and seeing some unbelievably gorgeous lakes. The aqua blue colors in the lake water were amazing. Beautiful (and famous) Lake Louise:
Peyto Lake:
And, my favorite, Moraine Lake. If you’re on Instagram, you see lots of people taking pictures like this one — sitting on a rock, overlooking the lake.
And here’s a tip about that rock-shot: When you first arrive at the end of the lake, you see this huge pile of rocks. SweetiePie somehow knew that the rock-shot happens from the top of this pile. Therefore, we needed to climb to the top of the pile.
First, you have to cross this log-dam. If you slip off of a log, your feet end up in the lake. Climbing up the pile was interesting — and fun!
So, where’s the tip? When we got to the top, there was a guy up there with a dog. I asked him how on earth he got the dog up that rock pile. He laughed at me and said there’s a nice, easy path that goes up around the back of the rock pile. Doh! Oh well, I’m probably glad we didn’t know about the path, or we would have missed the fun of almost falling off of the rock pile!
Emerald Lake:
There’s a beautiful hike around Emerald Lake through the woods. Very, very fun!
After three days in Canada, we made our way down to Glacier National Park in Montana. It’s about a four-hour drive and it was surprising how different the mountains are — less dense forests, but just as beautiful. The more open areas had a big advantage — we saw no wildlife in Canada, but saw animals every day in Glacier. The famous Glacier tour buses — they haven’t changed since the 1930’s.
We spent all of our time in Glacier hiking and enjoying the views. One of my favorite hikes was the Highline Trail. There’s about a quarter-mile at the beginning of the hike where you hike along a cliff. The park service very kindly provides a cable to hold on to — so you don’t plunge to the road 100-feet below. ;-D
The view from the cliff was totally worth it.
We did several other hikes in Glacier and I loved them all (if you go, don’t miss the Grinnell Glacier hike!). (As a side note — have you seen the funny video of the lady who tells you how to avoid a shark attack? (Go watch it — it’s too funny!) You hear a lot about watching out for bears in Glacier (for good reason!) and the shark-lady says not to go into the bear’s house in her video. When we hiked through meadows like the one below, we were sure we were in the bear’s house — tons of berry plants everywhere!)
We also found some time for a little other fun — skipping rocks at the lakes,
Zip-lining,
And a visit to Polebridge, which the boys are convinced is inhabited by anarchists!
After just 4 days at Glacier, we took 3 days to drive home — it took an extra day because we stopped to see these guys:
Anyway, it was a great trip — highly recommended if you haven’t been to either of those parks. Especially, if you love to hike like we do!!!
Lots of fun stuff going on here (oooh, new fabric!), but it will have to wait. I’m off again in a day, on another little adventure. And then, maybe we’ll get back to our regularly scheduled programming and some blog-reading!
XOXO,
Anna
what a gorgeous location…………thanks for sharing…..always great to catch up with blog buddies…………
Gorgeous photos, Anna. I’m glad you didn’t get eaten by a bear!
what a fantastic trip! we had a wonderful visit to Glacier when I was pregnant with Miss K, so we kept our adventuring on the safer side, but still did some wonderful hikes x
What a fun trip, and such beautiful scenery!
Whoa – beautiful pictures – and those BLUES! I’ve never been to that part of the country but I might just have to do this – thanks!
Wow wow it looks like you had a fabulous trip! the scenery doesn’t look real it is so perfect. I’ll just have to add it to my list of things to do!!
The rock pile looks fun and challenging and the photo is so worth it. Reminds me of everest summit. did you have to wait long for yours?
welcome home!
Really enjoyed seeing all the pictures of your adventures. Beautiful holiday!!
love the photos – we have been to Baniff but it has been years, I do remember loving it. Went to Glacier last year and loved it again it was our 3rd time there – love PoleBridge – the bearclaws are to die for. Looks like you had a great time – amazed your hubby didn’t go – it is a great family vacation trip – and looks like you saw and did a lot.
I loved seeing your pictures! I grew up in Calgary, and spent many summers camping and hiking in and around Banff. Since I moved to BC 21 years ago I’ve only been back to Banff a few times. Sad, right? Well on Sunday I’m heading out there for a few days. I’ll remember the tip about the trail up the rockpile! I’ll be taking my daughter for her first trip to Moraine Lake. If we can get a parking space, that is!
Gorgeous views! AMAZING!
What a fantastic trip!!! What breathtaking photos!!!! Seriously, I’m going back to go through them all again. Thank you so much for sharing this great Adventure! And welcome home!
Thank you for the sneak peek! We’re Banff, Jasper, and Glacier-bound with family on Sunday! We’re driving from lower Michigan up through the Soo and then due west till we wind up in the mountains. I am SO excited and your pictures are making me wish I was already there! Eek!
Looks like you had a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing all that beautiful scenery with us. Great photos, happy people, family together. Just perfect!
Malcolm has been to Banff and Lake Louise (on a business trip!!), so he enjoyed the photos. He also said that Ms Farmhouse’s studio was better than mine – huh!!!!
Wow! What an amazing trip, I would love to go hiking in that landscape. Thanks for sharing!
Wooow, those pictures are breathtaking! What a hilarious story about the rock pile. I can’t wait to see the fabric!! Glad you had a fun vacation! (sorry about all the exclamation points, I swear i’m not a teenager, hehe!)
Wow!! I’m gobsmacked, such incredible views, your photos are breathtaking!!
Gorgeous photos Anna!
another adventure?
lovely photos!!! i want you to start planning my vacations for me. clearly, i suck at vacays and you rock. (no pun intended)
love the sewing room!!!
can’t wait to see your new fabric you always get us the best stuff!!!
:waves madly
Amazing – thank you.
I love reading about all of your trips. I have been to Glacier (where we did see a bear which I didn’t think was a grizzly at the time but now think was) and Mt. Rushmore but now want to go to Banff. I have heard about it for years and how beautiful it is. Thanks for always sharing your beautiful photos.
Goodness gracious Ms. Thimbles – your pictures are absolutely over the top amazing. The colors and the way you capture the scenery is incredible. That trip is on our bucket list as adults – we’ve both been there as kids. Now I can’t wait to go. I’m behind the eight ball here and know you’ve taken off once again for your trip across the pond. I hope your having an amazing time. I look to IG for lots of pics. So happy we had sometime together – even tho it was brief it was wonderful. You have pretty amazing kids as well – so easy to chat with :) – and willing to take kidding. Hugs little missy and happy trails.
Hello Anna! Your pictures are lovely and made me feel like I was back in the wild. I have twin grandbabies… 10 months old. I may have to get my blog going to tell their story.
Hugs to you… Joni
WOW!!! What a trip! Gorgeous pictures! Happy to hear you had a great time!
This place is beautiful beyond words. Looks like you had a great time.
Amalia
xo
wow! What a gorgeous trip!
Great post. I keep hearing how beautiful Banff is, from the people at Windy Valley (a couple of them live above Lake Louise.) Also, I don’t want to walk along the cliff where you can plunge a hundred feet! :D
Karen
Lovely trip! Makes me want to go back! I am definitely going through Sault St Marie this time and not through Ontario! Cheers!