Calgary is a cute little town, quiet, green, clean and happy to report does a decent breakfast.
We loaded up the car with essentials like an esky (although apparently it's racist to say that in Canada so you have to call it a 'cooler'), tent, formalwear, matching Canada undies and bear spray - yes bear spray is a real thing and no it's not like fly spray, it's pepper spray.
Our first stop was Banff, where Haley complained about the terrible traffic and the people everywhere.
'Are you serious?' I said looking at streets lightly peppered with people and cars cruising along, a total world away from the non-stop crowds and craziness of places like LA, Vegas and even the parks like Zion and Yosemite.
We did some sightseeing around Banff, went up in the Gondola and out to Lake Minnewanke where everyone there was like 'Oh you're Australians, it's not pronounced the way you think.'.
We got back to Banff in time for the Canada Parade which was cute, much like the Mardi Gras at home in Maffra with lot's of kids, local groups dressed up, fire trucks and clowns passing by.
After the parade we followed the crowd to the park where there was live music, we got some beaver tails (super sweet pastries covered is super sweet toppings) and waited for it to get dark for the fireworks...and waited...and waited. It was after 11.30 when the fireworks went off and it still wasn't even dark. The fireworks burst out into a deep blue twilight there still a glow on the horizon where the sun had set hours before.
It's great to see Haley liking her new town and she's met some excellent people like Sam and Barb who as well as being lovely when Haley says 'So I've got an excellent idea...' they don't bat an eyelid before getting on board.
Sam and Barb joined us for the weekend in Radium, we went to the hot springs and hung out at our accommodation having drinks on the deck that overlooked the valley and mountains.
We did a small hike into the 'enchanted forest', it was so green and pretty and perfect for what we had planned.
We climbed off the track and up onto the hillside, I unpacked my tripod and got the girls to move into position in front of the camera. We then stripped off and did a quick costume change into our formalwear, I set the timer on the camera and had to bolt across the hill and plonk myself in front of the other girls before the camera started shooting.
A couple of hikers passed us by, 'Oh look, forest nymphs,' one said. Another family walked past, a little girl stared wide-eyed at us before taking a quick photo and running off excited, saying 'Daddy, I got a picture'
The photos turned out great, Forest Formal was definitely a winner.
For Haley's next great idea we found a perfect spot, just downhill from the road so you couldn't be seen from the road but an awesome view out over the valley and hills. We set up the camera and were about to get undressed when we heard a car and then two heads pop over the railing.
'This your phone?' they said.
'No' we said, and then waited for them to leave.
A minute later their heads popped back over the rail.
'Are you sure this isn't your phone,' said the guy, waving it around. 'It's got a pink cover.'
'No!' we all said, they stood there for another minute before finally leaving.
So there we were arms out to the great outdoors wearing nothing but matching Canada knickers. According to Haley once you hit 30 it's ok to get your kit off because it's liberating not silly, I figure it's only going to go downhill from here so what the hell.
We took some photos again with me running back and forth from the camera, then Haley wanted some solo photos, she was posing away when suddenly she screamed and threw her arms around herself and ducked down.
'There's a bike trail down there!' she said, two guys had rode out of the forest and got a little more than they bargained for on their weekend ride.
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