Banff, Hot Springs, and Wild Things

Today we spent time in downtown Banff before heading to the Hot Springs that made Banff famous. Then we went searching for wildlife.

Downtown Banff

That's not just a pool. It is 104 degrees, straight out of the ground heated mineral springs. Just like the waterfall behind us above. We spent about two hours swimming in the springs.

The Historic Fairmont Banff Springs (at $650/night this is as close as we got)

Now to find some wildlife.

Three Elk(?) at a church on the edge of town.

No wildlife at Vermillion Lakes but the view was awesome

On the way back to our hotel we decided to drive up to Norquay Mountain. Sunset on the way up was great. That's Banff down on the right.

Then after one more turn we came upon this.

That's a herd of bighorn sheep grazing about 6,000ft up. Here are two closer pictures. We were still about 250ft away.