Banff town

The next day we drove back into the park to visit the wonderful museums (yes!! more museums!) in Banff. The town is really very historic and interesting despite the horrendous influx of tourist. (We were told it is far more crowded in July and August!)

The Banff Park Museum was put together mostly by one man (1903) with the intent to showcase all the animals and other fauna and flora in the park. It was thought that that was the only way people would ever get to see the treasures in the park. Fortunately, a new philosophy now prevails - see the treasures in the wild. Nonetheless, the building and museum contents have been 'resurrected' and is a great visit, esp. on a rainy day!

The Whyte museum had a opening exhibit of Robert Bateman's (wildlife artist extraordinaire!) work as well as the exhibit explaining the origins of the Banff 'settlement' - (gold and hot springs) and the connection to the Luxton and McDougall families.

Lastly, the Luxton Museum of the Plains celebrates the history of the Native People. Norman Luxton was an important figure in Banff's development and a friend of the Stony Indians. He was a passionate collector of native artifacts and handiwork which is displayed through authentic activity scenes.

The Cave and Basin National Historic Site of Canada commemorates the birth place of Banff NP and the Canadian NP system. Arguments over the ownership of hotsprings here were settled when the government stepped in, in 1885, and declared the area a national park. The facilty was closed to the public in the 90's? when an endanger snail was discovered living in the warm waters (!) and when keeping the facility updated and open became cost prohibitive. The Upper Hot Springs remain open and gave me a warm, soothing bath to end the day in Banff! Course when I went to find Charlie and the car in the parking lot - it was teaming buckets of rain!!!