Banff to Fairmont Hot Springs, Kootenai National Park, Sept 22

  Today is the first day of fall, but we have had a lot of winter already!
   We drove from Banff to Fairmont Hot Springs to a large resort, quite unlike our usual stopping place, but we booked it to make our journey back to Montana a bit shorter and also because we like hot springs a lot.

    The ride down route 93 was spectacular. While it was not completely clear, it was clearer than any day we have had so far in the Canadian Rockies. We stopped an took a lot of photos of the jagged, snowy peaks as well as of the     River. The colors because of the "rock flour" were amazing and we hiked up Marble Canyon. We quickly rose in elevation and peered down at the river far below in the canyon
    When we drove into Radium Hot Springs, we came across a small herd of big horned sheep. None  huge horns. We got gas and the attendant told us that the herd was frequently in the midst of town. So, that was pretty cool as we had been scouring the hills for a glimpse of them for the past few days - and...there they were! The shots aren't pretty because they were right by a gas station.
     After arriving at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, we had a quick lunch and headed for the mineral hot pool. Lovely after driving. After a nice long soak, we went to the restaurant at the resort and had a nice meal. Then - we donned our white robes and went back for another soak in the hot springs. Ahhh! Heavenly even on a chilly evening.