The month of May has been a crazy, rumbling transient month full of fun, love and deep introspective reflection.
Within one week, we have gone from 12cm snow dumps, to 25 degree warm sunny days!
The snow fields are now closed, and the banks of the Bow Valley river is littered with mobs of people, laying on the grass, under trees reading and drawing, cooking BBQs and sipping beers kept cool in the river banks, embracing every inch of sunlight and warmth – the sun now sets at 10pm!
The change in weather has also seen a change in attitude, and with it, new activities and a trigger to reevaluate my purpose and intentions for my time in Banff and what I want in life. Let me explain…
It is fair to say, up until this point, I have truly indulged in the Banff town life. I have been fortunate to meet an amazing array of people, from all walks of life and from all over the globe. With my closest pals, it’s like an unspoken bond that draws you together. It’s love. We are all here for the same reasons. We are all open-minded people seeking connections, and ultimately what every human seeks, connectedness and love. And with the huge distant beauties of the Rockie Mountains hugging the town in every direction, it makes for a truly spiritual and impacting experience. One of my favourite times is early in the morning and dusk. The sky turns hues of baby blue, pinks, purples, and the sun strikes the mountains, still lightly capped in snow, and they change from grey to brown to purple to orange to fire. It is truly stunning.
As part of my ‘indulgence’ and ‘settling in’ to Banff, I have been spending alot of time with friends, meeting people, having beers and eating some of the local ‘delicacies’ e.g. poutine which consists of hot chips, gravy and cheese curds. I don’t really want to go in too much more, because I do feel a bit guilty and the extra kgs on my stomach can attribute to that, but basically, I have enjoyed myself but I feel it is now time for me to get settled in to actually living in Banff as a resident and making the most of the mountains – which is why I came here!!!
My goals for June are to be more active, nourish my body with healthy and scrumptious foods, and hike at least 2 other mountains than Tunnel Mountain (the main mountain in town – which is fantastic, but I want to take on the bigger beasts around!!!).
I have been in town now for 79 days (wow that feels crazy when you put it like that!!!), and I have a mission that in the next 79 days I will have lost some of the weight I have gained, and be more focused on taking care of myself. I know this is 100% possible, it is now my responsibility to act on that. I look forward to where my mental health and physical health will be at the end of this time. As a reward to myself, I am saving the Smiths Crinkle Cut Chicken Chips Mum sent to me to have 79 days from now, 17th August.
Summer in Banff – bring it on!!!!!
P.s. Thank you Mum for sending my care package of chicken chippies & keep cup! Quote Mum – “The most expensive pack of chips I have ever bought!”
You’re the best !! ❤ ❤ ❤
Some more happy snaps from adventures in May…
Checking out Banff graveyard with Stu:
Fun day on Sunshine mountain with Natalia & Mitch, and my last day up with Mitch & Phil:
Hangs in Canmore with Terry, Annie & Mitch:
Hol xoxo
Holly's Personal Travel Blog 