This year, instead of one big vacation, we are taking several mini vacations. This was partially due to uncertainties around Covid, and partially because I was hoping to head to Rome with my sister at the end of the summer. Who knows when that will happen...
But what has happened is the first of our mini vacations: a trip to Calgary. Originally we were going to go to Calaway Park a couple of our days, but they haven't opened yet - again due to Covid. However, we can be flexible...
Our trip started with the leisurely drive down to Calgary on a Thursday afternoon.
We explored a bit along the way, stopping at JJ Collett Natural Area.
We continued to Calgary and our Air BNB, in the same neighborhood we lived in when we first moved to Calgary.
It was rather nostalgic for Kyler and I, and the kids just liked things like playing hide-and-seek with the squirrels.
The next morning, we headed into Banff, bright and early.
The road out the Johnston Canyon is closed to public vehicles, so we decided to book some bus tickets, leaving for our hike at 9 AM (from Banff).
It was kind of fun to take the bus and be able to look out the window instead of worrying about where to go or park. 
And still just as beautiful. 
It's one of my mom and sister's favorites. 
we got to really play and enjoy the scenery,
which were lovely as always.
Some of our fellow bus-riders/hikers too a picture of all of us!
And, of course, we headed into the cave to feel the waterfall on our faces.
Wet!
It used to be a coal mining town, until mining was outlawed in National Parks.
They removed most of the buildings so the area could be naturalized, but the foundations of the large building remain.
It was so peaceful to sit by the lake!
And, having gone to Johnston Canyon before, the difference was striking. There were 11 other people on our bus, plus a handful that had walked or biked the additional 6 km to get to the trailhead from the open road. This means there were maybe 20 people on the trail. Total. It was so quiet on the trail!
Calista and I recreated this photo from 4 years ago.
The kiddos did great on the hike.
We stopped to rest frequently, and because there were so few people on the trail,
and not worry about stopping to take pictures!
We made it to the lower falls, 
From lower falls, we headed on, to the upper falls, which Kyler and I had never done before.
We took in slow, stopping to take pictures and enjoy.
Calista, in particular, enjoyed being a photographer
and took a number of pretty pictures.
Posed for them, too.
When we finally made it to the upper falls, we decided it was definitely worth it.
So beautiful!
Maybe next time our kids will be old enough to attempt to keep going, all the way to Inkpots...
We headed back down and made our bus back to Banff with time to spare. On our way back to Banff, we saw a bear on the side of the road!
It was not bothered by us at all, as the bus driver slowed to a crawl.
And another advantage to taking the bus?
Naptime!
After grabbing some lunch at our favorite restaurant, we decided to check out Lower Bankhead.
It's interesting, and a little creepy.
We ended our Banff day with a visit to the Lake Minnewanka shore,
to throw rocks and relax until we drove back to Calgary for the evening.
The next morning we got leisurely ready,
Caleb was a dude, and we went to Calaway Park! ...to drop off a food donation. 
But we did get some cotton candy out of the deal, so bonus!
Then we headed to Heart Creek Trail.
The creek and all the rocks and bridges make this a really fun hike.
Although we have to move really slowly,
as the rocks can be quite heavy...
At least the rocks also show the way.
If you look really closely, you can see a Caleb behind the Craig.
Also, pretty little waterfalls.
Heart Creek is pretty, and ends with a nice relaxing creekside to throw lots of rocks into...
and to fall into, as well.
(Actual falling not pictured.)
Calista was really brave and climbed up to get a view of the waterfall beyond the rock wall.
She took this picture herself:
Craig was also really brave and climbed up the rock wall...
and then fell. And then climbed again.
And fell again. (Actual falling not pictured). We decided he couldn't climb it anymore.
As we headed back down the trail, Calista tripped and fell, scraping her elbow and hand a bit. 
Near the trailhead, a man asked us how our hike was. "Well, he fell in the water, she tripped and hurt herself, and he fell off the rocks!" The man smiled and replied, "But you're all walking out!"
We decided not to push our luck too much and just grab a late lunch and relax the rest of the day.
The next day we meandered back home, stopping to play at the Harmony Garden and Imagination Grove in Red Deer.
The kiddos could have stayed here for hours, making music,
sliding down slides,
and playing in the shade.
Of course, we didn't let them just sit in the shade.
We made them wander the bird sanctuary!
Where they played, too, of course.
And we finished our trip with a beautiful day
and some wonderful views.
And I am planning our next mini vacation, after school gets out: Calaway Park (for real!), family, Waterton, and Canada Day.
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