"BANFF NATIONAL PARK" Top 5 Page for this destination Banff National Park by Lady_Mystique

Banff National Park Travel Guide: 780 reviews and 1,488 photos

Agnes Lake - Banff National Park
Agnes Lake

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In 1885, the Government of Canada set aside an area of 10 square miles around
the Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs near Banff which promised
"to be of great sanitary advantage to the public",
thereby creating the country's first national park.
Since that time, boundaries have been expanded
and six more parks have been established in the mountains of Alberta and British Columbia, until today the mountain parks cover 8,638 square miles.

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Black Bear - Banff National Park

Black Bear

"Oh Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the winds
and whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me.

I come before you, one of your many children.
I am weak and small.
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes
ever behold the red and purple sunset;
my ears sharp so I may hear your voice.

Make me wise,
so I may learn the things you have taught my people,
the lessons you have hidden under every rock and leaf.
I seek strength, not to be superior to my brothers,
but to be able to fight my greatest enemy -- myself.

Make me ever ready to come to you
with clean hands and straight eyes,
so whenever life fades,
like the fading sunset,
my spirit will come to you without shame."

Chief Yellow Lark, a Blackfoot Indian

Me and the Bro - Banff National Park

Me and the Bro

Here is a photo taken by my father on our first trip to Banff.
I don't remember much of this trip (and I'm sure my parents tried to forget most of it) except that we were taken to the centre of town where there was a large park with lots of flowers. There was an enormous and beautiful stone building on the grounds which I think this was the Motor Vehicles building.
Anyway, after my baby brother and I checked out the flowers and annoyed one another as much as possible, my mother plunked us down onto the stump of an old tree so my father could take a photo of us (probably to prove he had survived another outing with us!)
We weren't very cooperative models. My brother tried to monopolize the tree stump and take centre stage while I became rebellious, insisting on my share of the limelight and becoming a royal pain in the butt in the process!! (Come to think of it, our personalities haven't changed much since!) A big fight ensued soon after the photo was taken and I got a grand lickin'. I see this as my "initiation" and "rite of passage" into the competitive nature and harshness of life in the mountains.

  • Intro Updated Mar 3, 2005
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Reviews (54)

How do we cook supper now??!!! - Banff National Park In Glacier Nat'l Park Traveling Towards... Hotels (1)

My daughter and I stayed here this summer while enjoying a trip to the mountains (usually a yearly pilgrimage) with just... more travel advice

Michael Douglas, Catherine & Family at Sunshine - Banff National Park Light Fluffy Powder at Sunshine Village Sports & Outdoors (10)

This is my favourite ski area, especially in the Spring! (Even Michael Douglas and Catherine Zet-Jones and family love... more travel advice

Mount Norquay Ski Runs - Banff National Park Night Skiing at Mt. Norquay Sports & Outdoors (10)

Located only 15-20 minutes from Banff townsite, Mt. Norquay is the only resort to offer nightskiing in the Alberta... more travel advice

White Arctic Bell-Heather - Banff National Park White Arctic Bell-Heather Off The Beaten Path (20)

The delicate white flowers, somewhat star-like, may have inspired the genus name ('Cassiope') of this plant, for in... more travel advice

Comments (13)

  • Reply
    DPando's Profile Photo
    Feb 14, 2008 at 2:48 PM

    such a great memories brings back to me!! treekings in summer looks so easy .. no snow like in early oct when i was there.. great shots!!

  • Reply
    Redang's Profile Photo
    Aug 25, 2006 at 11:08 AM

    Your pages bring me so good memories!!!!!!!

  • Reply
    percy961's Profile Photo
    Aug 22, 2006 at 11:48 AM

    Superb photo's from Banff National Park

  • Reply
    Darby2's Profile Photo
    Jun 30, 2006 at 4:28 AM

    Had a nice tour along the Icefield Parkway last Saturday...it's just as beautiful as ever, specially in the early morning.

  • Reply
    icunme's Profile Photo
    Apr 14, 2006 at 5:33 PM

    Will be back to visit your zoo - great stuff......... Ciao, Carol

  • Reply
    Anchovy56's Profile Photo
    Dec 15, 2005 at 7:41 AM

    Its hard to believe such beauty exists...Oh, and Banff is nice too..

  • Reply
    King_Golo's Profile Photo
    Sep 24, 2005 at 12:16 AM

    banff np seems to be the canadian paradise! i've gotta go there... your pics are marvellous! golo

  • Reply
    jadedmuse's Profile Photo
    Jun 20, 2005 at 8:02 PM

    Thanks for your comments Lady! I'm making a note to come back and check out your Banff pages...never been but would love to visit one day. Ditto Vancouver.

  • Reply
    SpagBoll's Profile Photo
    May 1, 2005 at 4:22 AM

    Facinating, and a good reminder to us all to show consideration. Keep on Truckin'

  • Reply
    Robdaz's Profile Photo
    Mar 4, 2005 at 12:44 PM

    Fully agreed with all the previous comments. Great pics of animals . Wish I was there!

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