Going through the gates...(to heaven)

Approaching the entrance to Banff National Park
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After experiencing the pleasure of driving on the Trans Canadian Hwy, for close to 3 hours (remember, we took our time admiring the sights)... we found ourselves approaching the entrance to Banff National Park.

If there was ever a description of the gates that lead to heaven, then this has got to be the inspiration behind that quote. We already liked what little we had seen so far, and come to realize later that this part of the country is blessed with the most beautiful vistas in the world.

Nature here is so pure and untouched that you want to think twice before invading its peace and leaving your footprint behind.

Gates...to heaven!
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Nature here is so pure and untouched that you want to think twice before invading its peace and leaving your footprint behind.

Banff National Park is Canada's first national park in Alberta.From its humble beginnings as a 26 square kilometer hot springs reserve, Banff National Park now comprises of 6,641 square kilometers of unparalleled mountain scenery nestled in the heart of the magnificent Canadian Rockies.

There might have been a hint of exhaustion from lack of sleep and travel but one look at this place, and we forgot to spell the word 'tired'. The spirit of nature engulfs you and uplifts you in a manner second to none. And all this was still just DAY 1!

TIP: It so happened that one of our 4-day stay in the park was CANADA DAY, a national holiday (July 1st) and the entrance fee to the park for that day is free! We were lucky!