Leaving

It isn't strictly autumn or 'fall' in the UK until the equinox next week. But there is a look of Fall here in all the shops and the Aspen trees of Banff are taking on the tell tale colour too.

This is Banff Avenue as we leave for Highway 1 to Calgary and the airport.

The leaves are just turning golden and next week will be brown and probably gone by the week after. I am already missing the mountain cool as here in Calgary it is boiling. Glad to be in the airport. Last week they had 3 days of snow yet there is very little sign of it now.

Before leaving we went to visit Cave and Basin. We have seen signs for it everywhere so thought we should take a look.
It is the site of Banff Hot Springs and the tell tale smell of sulphur is immediately apparent. Not surprisingly it is located under Sulphur Mountain.

The most interesting thing is that it is the birthplace of the Canadian National Parks.

In 1883 three young prospectors found the cave where hot sulphur springs were bubbling. They sensed the opportunity to make money and developed the 'basin' where the first hot baths could be taken. By 1885 there was dispute over ownership so the Canadian Govt. set aside a reserve here for all Canadians. They opened up,the cave and created a bathhouse beside the basin. Two years later it became the First Canadian National Park!

It will be tomorrow when we land in London with another long day of travel ahead of us. I don't like this bit but the rest has been fantastic. Thanks to all of you who have been kind enough to take the time to follow us and comment.