23h30 Thursday: depart Fort McMurray.
Phil and Tony had been planning on going to Banff for the weekend, since Friday was a scheduled day off. I had been planning on working Friday. Tony had been starting to back out early in the week, and I told Phil I'd love to go if he did. Strangely enough, I knew he was going to bail, just didn't imagine it would be so last minute.
Phil drove the first five hours until he couldn't stay awake any longer. I then drove from Edmonton to Calgary, where my eyelids started to fall. I did a lot of resting my eyes, but really only slept 15 minutes the whole way.
08h00 Friday: arrival in Banff.
Friday we skied Sunshine. It was a gorgeous morning, then while sitting in the pub, grabbing a bite, it started to snow. Boy did it snow. Good thing it was snow, because at the base of the mountain it poured rain. By the time we were heading out for the day the ski-out was lovely and slushy. We dashed around in the rain and grabbed some food at the grocery store.
Note to self: next time in Banff, stay at the Y, not the hostel.
Supper consisted of a frozen pizza, McCain triple chill cake, and a mudslide. Damn I love road trips. After supper I thought I was going to pass out. We took back my rentals, then napped for a couple hours. A Red Bull and another mudslide, and it was out again. We went to HooDoos...classy place. (I actually mean that, it wasn't sarcasm.) The bar was realitively quiet and we headed back to sleep at one in the morning.
Saturday was absolutely beautiful. It was warm and sunny, and we wandered along the Bow river. By the time lunch rolled around we were starving. I had the best sub ever...or at least it seemed like it to my hungry belly. We stuck our heads in a couple shops, and Phil bought a new watch (finally!). To finish off the afternoon we drove to Canmore, stopped at a couple more shops, and then to the Grizzly Paw for a few beer. (Yes, I did just say I had a few beer...me, beer, no lies. It's a metamorphosis.)
Back in Banff we grabbed some deliciously greasy diner food and another nap. This time we didn't wake up until eleven thirty...perfect time for the bar...if I wasn't half asleep. We went to the Pump and Tap, and it was packed. We quickly found out why: two dollar drinks...sweet. Let's just say we didn't go home early this time. (Even though most people drifted off to other bars before the night was over.)
Sunday morning, it was breakfast and back on the road. Breakfast was awesome, there's a little cafe at the Y and I had French toast with bacon and fruit salad...does it get any better? By the time we were actually on the road it was eleven. We made one stop to gas up, and were back early enough that my belly could last. Miraculously I'm well rested. Obviously I'm quite satisfied.
