Alberta 2009

For vacation this year, we skipped the camping trip to Cape Breton and headed across the country to Alberta to visit family and take in some sights. I had heard of the beauty of the Rockies and the Prairies and couldn't wait to get a handle on my new Canon T1i

I was not disappointed.

Sheep River Falls was one of our first stops. "Just a teaser," my cousin told me.
Sweet.

If you wait patiently enough in Alberta, someone will drive into your photo on their John Deere at just the right angle.

Somewhere near Longview, Alberta.
No one had an answer for me on this one, but I thought it was fun stuff.

Okotoks.

Boundary Ranch where we went horseback riding into the mountains. Check out Inside Out Experience for a great day trip!

I'm not even joking. These little dudes picked the most picturesque spot on the Kananaskis to chow on some grass on the side of the road.

The hoodoos at Horseshoe Canyon just outside of Drumheller. Heh... hoodoos... I didn't even make that word up. :)

Banff National Park.

Favorite.

Patriotism at the top of the Banff Gondola.

Stunning Lake Louise

And this beauty was somewhere between Crowsnest Pass and the British Columbia border. I couldn't have specially ordered a more perfect train.

We spent one day at the Calgary Zoo. This tiny little fellow, called a Cotton-Top Tamarin, won my vote for cutest creature EVER.

I could see no better way to send ourselves back east than to witness the splendor of Globalfest and it's international fireworks competition. China's display was a fitting end on our last full night in the west.

Many thanks to the Quinns for letting us take over their little piece of heaven for a week, and especially to Stacey for being the best cousin and tour guide a girl could ask for! Can't wait until next time: it can't come soon enough!