Our supper was delicious and filling at the "Old Irish Pub" where we sat by the stone fireplace.  It wasn't very busy on a Sunday night.  We ordered "Yorkies" and "Squeakers" for appetizers then I had a bowl of beef barley soup and Walter had a Caesar salad with prawns.  The appetizers were more like entrees; Yorkshire pudding filled with beef, horseradish and cheese and the the Squeakers were panko breaded potato, cabbage, bacon and cheese deep fried.  Very yummy!

We walked down to the heart of Banff townsite and back - it was still light out at 7:30 pm but all that walking and a cool breeze sent us indoors before long!  It was nice to relax in our hotel room at the Best Western, where our rewards points helped us get upgraded to a King suite.  

Day 3 began whenever we woke up - and we wandered down to the breakfast room by 9 am.  To our surprise, we ran into our friends, Sam and Pauline, who were in Banff for a family wedding on the weekend.  We shared a breakfast table and enjoyed some fellowship.

Walter had a couple of emails to answer and then we had the day to wander and explore.  We chose to take a walk first and scout out some sights.  The wind was cool and so we decided to grab the vehicle and drive out to Bow Falls.  We hiked around there, soaking in some fresh air and spring sunshine.  I recognized a young lady and we realized she was a Millar College of the Bible student we had met.  It was nice to meet her husband and 1 1\2 year old daughter, who were in Banff for a youth leaders' retreat.  Very nice to see former students we have encountered over the years.

On the return drive we took a different turn and wound up at the "Banff Trading Post" - where we decided to go in and see what treasures they had inside.  Years ago I bought moccasin type footwear with a rubber sole.  This time, Walter found a carved polar bear with two cubs made by a Canadian artist.  They were carved of crystal marble with a jade fish in the mama's mouth!  Lovely!  I purchased a book by Phyllis Webstad, whose story inspired the "Orange Shirt Day" to honour those who went to residential school.  It will be good reading.

Picking up a simple lunch from McDonald's, we went back to our hotel room to eat, change and head up to the main event: Banff Hot Springs!  I had forgotten how long and winding the road is up to the hotsprings but what a beautiful drive.  The sky had been blue with scattered clouds.  By the time we arrived up the hill, the base of Sulphur Mountain, there were a few snow flakes falling!

It was glorious to sit in the waters, stare out at the forested mountains and watch the weather changing every few minutes.  The pool was not busy.  Just a handful of older people like us, two or three families with little ones and some young adults.  But by 4 pm, what appeared to be an elementary or junior high class flooded into the pool.  Our peaceful, serene afternoon was livened up!  They were well behaved but 25-30 students and a few teachers filled up any empty spaces along the edges.  So we wandered out, after having a nice hour and a half soak.  

The drive back into town was pleasant and we discussed our supper plans. I think we are peopled out so we shall order in!  

Stay tuned for Day 4 as we continue to head west...