Banff National Park

Nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies sat a quiet, serine cabin community.
Until....
MULHOLLAND FAMILY REUNION!!!
6 days,
3 cabins
9 adults,
10 kids,
This is going to be awesome!

Perfect Family Portrait.

Missing people, people standing in front of other people, meltdowns, shadowing, 14 of 20 not even looking at the camera... Its a classic.

Into the woods and away we go...

Where are we going , no one knows...

we'll cut through some brush and scrape our legs

just follow Grandpa, he's leading the way...

off to the middle of no where.

Rough housing with Uncle J.  Some how, for generations now, Uncle J is the uncle that little kids flock to for wrestling, teasing and chasing.  Glad to see that not much has changed over the years.

Hike to Bow Falls.

No more walking!  Hold me Mommy!

Banff Springs Hotel.

These halls have been walked by Kings, Queens, the rich, the famous, and the Dead.

One of the most famous haunted hotels the Banff Springs Hotel was built in 1887 and opened in 1888.

Situated above Bow Falls, close to the thermal pools and with a panoramic view of Mt. Rundle, Banff Springs hotel is a regal piece of art in the heart of the Canadian Rockies

 

Antiques and Architecture, there a lot to look at inside these beautiful halls.

The famous haunted Staircase.  

Stories suggest a woman dressed in her wedding gown lost her life on the staircase. There were candles on the staircase when the bride was walking up them, when suddenly her dress caught fire, in a panic she tripped and fell down the stairs, dying from a broken neck. Many people have reported seeing her ghost in a full wedding gown, often dancing in the ballroom.  

While taking a bathroom break we spoke to a staff member who said that he asked to be switched to a daytime shift after having numerous encounters on the night shift when he could hear the piano being played (located just outside of the ballroom at the top of the haunted staircase) but when he came around the corner the music would stop and there would be no one there.  He said it was just eerie and creeped him out, so now he works the day shift.  

Having a ball in the Grand Ballroom.

(We ain't afraid of no Ghosts).

Balcony looking over the Bow Falls and River.

Campbell Lake.  

Sunshine and Glacier water, at a perfect balance and a lot of fun.  While the kiddos played the big kids (adults) took a hike around to the other side where a rope swing awaited for the brave to try out.  The shock of the fridged water was nothing in compared to the sweet victory of a successful jump!

The Game Room.  

We had a wet rainy day but the kids didn't mind, they were all in for an afternoon of family fun in the game room!

Hiking Johnson Canyon.

Party People, in age (not height!!) order 10-8-8-6-5-5-5-4-3-3.

Monkey Pinata and a pool noodle.

Noodle won!

Sleeping Arrangements in the Cabin.

We shared a cabin with Aunt J.  Mom and Dad took the Master bedroom, J got the guest room, kids go the pull out couch.  Snug as bugs but it worked.  

The Swimming Pool.  If we weren't out exploring, this is where you could find the kids.  They swam for hours on end.

Lake Louise.

Known for it's stunning beauty, Lake Louise is a glacial lake and is most famous for it's clear turquoise or emerald color. It is named after Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, daughter of Queen Victoria. 

We also visited Moraine Lake.  Not as widely marketed to the tourist but equally as stunning.

And that was our Banff Family Reunion!

See Y'all next year, EH!!