7canzers

This may be the only time we EVER camp in Banff in March.  Usually there would be a few feet of snow still.  It is the second week of spring break, and I feel like I am going a bit crazy hangin out at home, doing the same -old, same-old every day .  This winter has been a bummer for us, with Kent’s back.  We haven’t been able to do much, and I so want to.  It was an internal war trying to decide if I should do this with the kids – the camping with no-other-adult-thing.  Kent is in Vancouver on a back rehab program.  I think I have mentioned that before.  In the end my desire for adventure won out over the huge challenge I knew it would be to do this.

I booked the only campsite that is open year-round, and I was preparing my strategy to be parked up along side 40ft, fully kitted out motorhomes, and our family be the object of curiosity.  What kind of cool story could I make up?  Why would I be camping with so many kids?  Who was I on the run from?!

The kids were really awesome helpers.  They wanted to put the tents up without my help.  This little guy needed a little break to do some finger sucking though.

The temperatures overall weren’t too bad, it was just windy.  Malakai wanted to go home coz he didn’t like the wind.  I don’t blame him!  So in the mornings we went and had breakfast at the cookshack rather than our campsite.

And unflattering mouthful, but I loved the light and colours!

The main thing I wanted to do was go to Johnstone Canyon.  I had read about it and it looked awesome in the winter with frozen waterfalls.  It has packed ice most of the way which was a bit of a mission.

And then I don’t even show you pictures of the waterfall!  It was cool but I didn’t get any really good ones.  I was having to pay pretty close attention to the kids so I didn’t lose them over a cliff and into the river.  I’m glad that we went but it wasn’t very relaxing for me.  

The kids wanted to go look around Banff.  It is hard for me to say “yes” to shopping with a bunch of kids.  That equals near torture to me, but I wanted to grant their request.  We went to a chocolate shop and I let them pick out a treat.  Most of them got whirly pops.  Me and Neika got toffee apples.

This little monkey is supposed to be sleeping.  She did eventually nod off 🙂

The kids wanted to find a playground.  We did, and then through the fence they discovered this bike jump park.  They spent ages trying to balance the teeter-totter together.

We finished off that day with a quick look at the hoodoo’s.  But I like this picture better!!  And then the next day I really enjoyed.  It was a little slower and more relaxing.  We went and checked out a few lakes.  I was scoping places for the next time we come.

And then we drove home.  We spent 3 days and 2 nights.  I am glad we went.  It was definitely a stretch for me with a toddling one year old, but I’m pleased I was brave and could put myself aside to give the kids a fun experience  Oh, and the main thing I learnt?  Take paper plates.  It takes way too long to wash dishes 🙂