Day 7 April 26th Banff hot water springs



cave through  which the railwaymen came

Today we had nothing

pool filled by mineral water

booked and so we

are on our own.  The weather again was good, dry, sunny and warm although there was snow all around.  We decided to visit some hot water, sulphurous springs which had been developed during the early part of the last 

pool is fed by stream

century for their curative 


outside pool with minute snails

powers.  The cave where they originated was discovered by some railway workers as the tracks were being laid but had been used by first nations for time immemorial.  The railwaymen wanted to develop them commercially but the government saw the advantages and bought them out and initiated a national park.  The sanatorium/hospital was very successful and much used but things have now changed and the place has become a tourist attraction but does not appeal like the gondola ride we visited yesterday.  The hydrogen sulphide aroma is certainly overpowering after a time.  We came out of the cave and went to a visitor centre which showed the history of the site in film and then went to the outside pool which can no longer be used by humans as it is home for an endangered species of snail which thrives in the mineral conditions and human contamination would threaten. 



We then walked along a viewing walkway to see the surrounding spectacular mountains before walking to town and catching a bus to the hotel.



eastern chipmunk

 We had a late snack lunch and we were joined by a local eastern chipmunk which was very 

view from pub patio

pleasing.  We then arranged to have our evening meal in a local German style pub which again was a pub with a view.  It was cooling down in the evening and so we ate inside.  We are back in our room and as it is our last night here we have to pack before our quite early start for Lake Louise tomorrow morning.  More about that tomorrow.  Our stay here has been great, the only blemish has been that the wifi has been problematical but we have coped.