We spent 8 days in Calgary, Canada in late August with an overnight stay in Banff.  There were lots of surprises.

Calgary is the only airport to get to Banff from San Diego. We decided on this destination after an exchange request from a Calgary  family seeking a week in San Diego.  We didn’t expect much from Calgary but thought of it as our doorway to the legendary skiing town of Banff. Plus a chance to escape the heat and humidity at home.

We quickly learned that Calgary has much to recommend it besides the annual Cowboy Stampede Festival and its proximity to some shooting locations for our beloved Heartland TV series.  We learned they have a real food scene.

As one of our waitstaff told us as we oohed and ahhed over refined but unfussy French food at Francine, “Calgary punches above its weight in excellent restaurants.” True. True.

Another wonderful dinner was at 10 Foot Henry on First St. SW.   On a strip of popular drinking and dining holes,  “Henry” stood tall.  The food was “vegetable forward” meaning there was a slew of great starters cooked inventively. This was followed by a few perfectly cooked mains from scallops to arctic char.   We loved it so much, we returned on our last night to try a few veg dishes we missed the first time!  We also had a lovely sushi dinner in the Kensington area where the owner told us she made her own pickled ginger and soy.  All delicious.

But we didn’t just eat in Calgary.  We explored a few monumental buildings, including their gorgeous library designed by Snohetta.  That’s the same team who designed the Oslo Opera House that we went gaga for last year. 

We didn’t find great museums– or even open ones– but that’s not Calgary’s forte. Outdoors life is  The city winds along the postcard pretty and winding Bow River.  And the city fathers built a fantastic walkway/bikeway along it for residents to enjoy soothing scenery and loads of parks and bridges (including the Peace Bridge by Calatrava.)   

We also spent a zenlike morning wandering through the peaceful pathways of the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.  My bird app identified at least 6 birds along the way.  The tranquil forested paths and fields had many benches along the way to stop and contemplate.  It was our first experience of “Forest Bathing.”  No undressing involved!

Our home in Calgary was a lovely, spacious and new house in a trendy neighborhood called Hillhurst.  Yet, it’s only a quick 10 minute or less drive into the heart of downtown.  This was our first Home Exchange where we swapped cars as well as residences and it was a perfect way to explore the city. And to pack our bags to head out to Banff for 36 hours with our younger son and wife who joined us for a few days.

It’s an easy, scenic 90 minute drive,  punctuated by a short stop in the charming town of Canmore. Canmore is a mini Banff –meaning it is equally surrounded by gorgeous scenery and mountain views.  We enjoyed a walk along a bird trail and lagoon plus a pit stop in their library cum community center where the coffee and the banana bread were equally enjoyed.

But ohhhh Banff.  Your boundless beauty blew us away!  The incredible mountain scenery, the lakes, the lighting, the e-bike ride ( a first for me!). It was all too gorgeous for words.  Let’s just say we ate the food in Calgary and we devoured the scenery in Banff! 

We didn’t get to Lake Louise which was horrendously crowded and so we couldn’t just drive in.  Instead, we biked to Lake Vermillion near our hotel and later drove to Two Jack Lake where the newlyweds promptly changed and jumped into the frigid waters in complete exhilaration.

It was all so lovely, not a bad view to be had. That includes the famous Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel we prowled around after a sudden rainstorm.   And the gorgeous flower gardens at the top of the little touristy town center was exquisite to wander in the late day light.

The food wasn’t memorable but the Banff experience was unforgettable.

Our Canada week was a perfect summer getaway. And, apparently, we skipped a particularly muggy and hot week in San Diego.  But, even so,  it’s always lovely to return home.