Oh Canada....how funny you are!

So I got back from family vacation last night and let me tell you, it was tight. First we went to Calgary (a "city") and it was about 50-65 degrees...shopped, that stuff kimbo likes to do (shopping's not really my thing) but did go through this absolutely amazing park on the Bow River!!! I could've stayed there all day with my guitar and a good book or two (i'm a nerd for sure!)...so pretty! On thursday we peaced out and drove up to Banff (a little ski village) and chilled some and looked around as the AWESOME Canadian Rockies surrounded us. Friday was my fav though...we hiked to Johnston's Canyon and saw the waterfalls and Jon Tettleton at the age of 75 i promise you... After some lunch stuff, we went to Lake Louise which is absolutely gorgeous! The water is turquoise or tealquoise for you asher folks...We checked out it's five star hotel, the Chateau Lake Louise after the coolest hike ever! We walked around the lake and then hiked up to Lake Agnes (and let me tell you, it's a HIKE!) where they have a teahouse these people live in during the summer on top of the mountain. How cool is that? I could totally live in a teahouse on top of a mountain in Canada...that sounds like something i'd do... Then it downpoured on the way back down around 30 degrees i'd guess. But still, it was sweet. I'd been looking forward to canoeing for awhile as you know and Saturday was the day. However, the weather had different plans unfortunately and as I got up that morning, it was SNOWING!!! We went and saw Batman Begins (too intense for me but a good story) and then we went and bummed around two other five star hotels in Banff...it was really fun! we stayed in a condo (all you need is a place to sleep right?) but checked out these other placces and ate dessert there. Sunday morning we heard that the weather would be better so we decided to hike up Sulphur Mountain and eat breakfast and take the Gondola back down. You can see several different valleys from up there and it's SO pretty! Well little did we know, the snow had not melted and we got up and started hiking at 8am...After a mile or so, we encountered a FOOT of snow for the last two miles up and twenty-eight (yes i counted!) fallen trees in our path we had to climb over. Insanity! Two hours and fifteen minutes after we started, jeans wet to the knees, hiking boots and socks completely soaked, and two sap-covered, freezing hands later, we reached the top. Now that's a new level of dedication to hiking for my family. But now, i'm back and getting prepped for China! Packing time! Peace out and have a fantastic day!