Day 8 Canada, 28/06, Banff

After our arrival in Banff we took a wander to the shops and bought a few bits and pieces and were back in time for the hotel dinner. We needed some down time in Banff, so we had only booked one short activity for the the next day.

We were going canoeing. It was a short walk Bow River. None of us had canoe experience but the guide who sat at the back encouraged us and I think steered us quite a bit too.

We hoped to see perhaps a bear or a beaver, but we did not. The scenery was nice but it was very warm out on the river with no shade. People all began paddling enthusiastically but soon slowed down as arms began to ache, my own included. At times some people would stop paddling for a break but no one gave up and burdened themselves at to our guide's surprise, none of us whinged. Apparently there is nearly always someone who will, one who did not quite grasp what is involved in canoeing. Except for rescue boats and park rangers boats, power boats are not allowed on park waterways.

We paddled upstream, so it was an easy return. I suppose the trip took an hour or more. A beaver had built a dam where this creek joined the river. To my own surprise, I really quite enjoyed canoeing. Back home, Bone Doctor has a canoe. I should take it out sometime.

After our paddle, we quenched our thirst with our T & B in an Irish pub, found somewhere for a light late lunch and did bugger all for the rest of the afternoon, which is exactly what we wanted to do.

I fancied a steak for dinner and it was very pleasant sitting out on the deck. Look Gattina, they have copied your outdoors screen viewing box.We later found out T & B were eating at the same time as we were, in the same place, but indoors.

While I found plumbing throughout Cananda and the US unnecessarily complicated, I really did like the toilets. Non of the nonsense that goes on in Australia where toilets will  often need multiple flushes. While they nearly all use a similar action, some are also very water efficient. This is not a great example of water efficiency but some sets used very little. The paper is for demonstration purposes only.