August 19, 2017 - Banff

We arrived in Banff around 1 pm and the place was very busy.  The parking lots were full, the crosswalks were lined with people waiting for the light to change and the average time for 100 yards in a car was about 5 minutes.
The visitor's center was as you would expect.  We left with a  map with lines and arrows drawn all over it.

We first drove up to Mount Norquay overlook, which is near a ski area

 The town of Banff has about 8000 residents...or homeowners who are self made innkeepers or BNB people.  It is a lot more prosperous that way, especially right now during the busy season.

 We visited the Cave and Basin National Historic Site which became the beginnings of Canada's National Park system.  This year, 2017, entrance to the parks is free as they are celebrating the 150th year.

 The Cave

 ...and the Basin

 The Cave and Basin produce water with a high content of Sulphur which makes it quite smelly.  The water comes out of the ground warmer and is labeled a thermal spring.  Because of that, the water in this picture does not freeze in the Winter.

 The front of the Cave and Basin site.

 Banff is nicely secured between the mountains...

 on both sides.

  Towards dusk, the view of the mountains from our room.

Tomorrow, we become tourists.  If you were wondering whether we are fluent in French...the tourist dollar rules.