Phil is my favorite travel buddy. Each year since we've been married, we've planned big adventures together. Since we spent the summer in Seattle, we decided to take the long road home and drive up through Canada. Best decision ever.
First we stopped in Vancouver and spent a couple days enjoying the city. Gorgeous art, lots of cool restaurants and shops, Chinatown, the works. Gastown was so quaint and adorable and we had to sample the local fare: Crepes, cream puffs, pita deliciousness. So good! Canada really has it going on.
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| Dragons |
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| Panda Phil Eating Bamboo |
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| Canada Place in Downtown Vancouver |
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| Oh Canada |
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| Great View, Plus Some Nature |
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| Gastown Steam Clock |
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| Cathedral in Downtown Vancouver |
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| Crepeaus Eat Crepes |
And the nature sure didn't disappoint. Lynn Canyon was beautiful! Our Twin Falls hike was a perfect nature walk.
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| Suspension Bridge |
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| Twin Falls |
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| My Favorite Selfie |
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| My Eagle Scout |
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| Hiking Master |
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| Twin Falls |
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| Canadian PSA |
I do have to say though, our last day in Vancouver was absolutely my favorite. Stanley Park, totem poles, and Granville Island Market. Made for an amazing day.
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| That Sea Spray Though |
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| Phil and the Inuksuk |
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| Mandatory Bike Riding Selfie |
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| Enamored by the Totem Poles |
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| Food Paradise! |
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| Local Cheese, Salami, and Fresh Ciabatta |
We even had the chance to go to the temple and one of the most diverse wards I've ever seen. Members from countries all around the world. We felt such an amazing spirit as a man from India knelt to bless the sacrament. I loved seeing how the gospel truly blesses all of God's children.
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| Vancouver BC Temple |
After our three days in Vancouver, we headed off to Banff. The drive was beautiful, but brutally long. We read books and joked. Nothing passes time more quickly than chatting with my best friend.
Each day in Banff was a spiritual experience. I've never seen any place more beautiful. Mountains that take your breath away. Lakes that look like gem stones. Forests that smell like blueberry muffins. No joke, one of our hikes smelled like a bakery. Such a majestic and stunning country!
On day one, we went to Moraine Lake. This lake is unbelievable! The color of the water is mind blowing. We learned that it's a reflection of the rock flour that erodes from the surrounding mountains. My favorite application of physics so far.
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| The Cutest Park Entrance Ever! |
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| Moraine Lake |
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| Doesn't Even Look Real |
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| Phil and Our Photobombing Asian Tourist Friends |
The mountains though.
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| That Vista |
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| Blueberry Mountain Range |
On our second day, I wasn't feeling super great. We spent some time in downtown Banff (Main Street is like the Canadian Park City), mocked the awesome souvenir shops, and ate the most amazing olive oil and vinegar at Evoolution. Exploring was the main agenda, and we tried to cover as much ground as we could in the car. Banff has so much to see!
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| Two Jack Lake |
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| Waterfall Selfie |
Our last day was our most intense, and most magical. Lake Louise, followed by a hike to Lake Agnes (and the famous teahouse), and up the Big Beehive. I was skeptical if the hours of sweating and trails filled with horse goodies would be worth it. I think the pictures speak for themselves.
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| Flashback to Phil's Mermaid Pose from 2008 |
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| Mirror Lake and the Big Beehive |
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| Lake Agnes Teahouse |
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| Skipping Rocks on Lake Agnes |
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| Exploring |
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| Glistening with Pride |
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| Lake Louise from 7,000 Feet |
This place captured our hearts. Oh, Canada!
