Bronte’s Banff

Technically, this was Bronte’ second visit to Banff. The first, she was warm and cuddled in utero, and this last trip, she was a walking, talking, potty-trained expert! In the span of two years, Banff got to see two very different Brontes, and I can imagine the mountains gossiping about it - that time is so fast, and yet so slow, and always with an opportunity to explore the beauty of the world.

Being in Canada felt like such a relief - we got to escape our lives for a 5 day adventure in the cold wild of the Canadian Rockies. By day two, Bronte was over the cold and the snow, and wanted to be carried everywhere. Luckily, during our walk “In Search of Christmas Spirit,” she carried her little lantern to discover lit up statues of bears, owls, wolves, and fish. She made all the animal noises, and enjoyed the story of the owl calling on all creatures to help remind humans that Christmas was a time of loving land and ALL the people that inhabit it. The Christmas Market was at the train station in town, and we felt the rattling of the train as we sipped our peppermint hot cocoas. Bronte got to see Santa, listen to carolers, and eat by a fire pit.

Some of our favorite memories were Bronte using her tiny travel toilet in some of the most beautiful off road pull outs, and going to see elk while she slept in her car seat. Walks along lakes were short, but sweet, as our arms could carry Bronte for so long. Snow was fun to pick up and put in her mouth, but walking on it seemed like too much effort apparently. The lakes had all frozen over, and we walked along its edge as we watch ice skaters whirl around us.

For the hot chocolate trail, we found some gems! The Gingerbread hot cocoas were our favorite, but the sea salt, maple syrup, and burnt marshmallows were also up there. At the Fairmont Banff Springs, we got to stay at the renowned castle hotel again. They even upgraded our room, and we got the Hallmark experience: a two bathroom, bedroom, and living room with a Christmas tree that filled up on corner up to the ceiling. During one of Bronte’s nap, I worked on a gingerbread house, while Jamie was Christmas shopping, a Hallmark movie on in the background. We had a babysitter watch Bronte as we hung out in the spa and booked a massage. Bronte would wake up and started doing freestyle in the air, signaling she wanted to go to the outdoor heated pool. The mountains in the back drop looked like Mount Crumpit, and she loved dunking into the water to keep her hair from becoming icicles.

For high tea, Bronte slept the entire time. Jamie and I drank champagne, our favorite holiday teas, and munched on little cakes and deserts with an ease we indulged in. Afterwards, we did a photo shoot in Santa’s sleigh, and went to write Bronte’s letter to Santa. The next day, we found a letter from Santa in our hotel room, written to Bronte in response. The Banff gondola was our last adventure, and Bronte seemed in awe of the views it offered. She is already so fearless.