I’m in love with Canmore! Being surrounded by the “Three Sisters Rocky Mountains”, the “Cascade Mountains”, and “Mount Lady MacDonald” really makes you embrace Alberta’s landscape. Canmore has a very safe and cosy vibe with friendly locals and tasty pastries. Mmm… pastries.
My friend and I opted to avoid hotels or inns and decided to stay in a cabin instead. We chose to spend the night at “Rundle Cabins” which is located just 5 mins from the main city area. The cabins are made of cedar wood and each one has it’s own unique name above the door. Our cabin was called “Three Sisters”, after the mountains.
With the surrounding trees outside, and the wood-burning fireplace inside, I felt so comfortable and peaceful. The cabin had a full kitchen, bathroom, living room, and was decorated with a rustic style. Staying in a cabin, whilst in the mountains, was a dream come true.
After snapping a few photos of the cabin and surrounding area, we made our way into town. Just when I thought Canmore couldn’t impress me any more, it did. Along the way into town we came across a herd of elk relaxing along the side of the road and a smile instantly consumed my face. A local told us that it was only a portion of the herd and that it’s common for elk to wander around the town. Neat fact: There’s a restaurant in Canmore called “The Wandering Elk”! Cute, eh?
Since Canmore is so compact, exploring the heart of the city is really easy by foot. We found a bakery called “JK Bakery & Cafe” and enjoyed some damn fine cuppas, hot bowls of soup, cookies, cupcakes, and other tasty treats. I’m pretty sure we gained 10 lbs by the time we walked out the door. Totally worth it.
We stopped by a store called “Hello Vintage” for a couple of reasons. One, because I love vintage-style; Two, because the entrance to the shop was radical; Three, there was a painted mural of pigs flying right next to the store. Have I mentioned how much I love Canmore?
I purchased a pair of sunglasses from “Hello Vintage” as well as a black, lace mask. There were dresses and other lovely items that I wanted to buy, but I didn’t want to pay the price tag. Perhaps I shouldn’t have spent so much on tasty treats…
With full stomachs and new shades, we made our way to other streets and visited some bookstores and gift shops. Since Canmore is a tourist town, there are plenty of souvenirs and crafted items in the local shops.
My friend and I are both cheap-asses, so, after checking out a few shops, we ditched the scene to go explore a local cemetery. As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, visiting local cemeteries is something we enjoy quite a lot whilst travelling.
The Canmore Cemetery is a reflection of old and new. There’s a modern section with plots available for the future dead, and then there’s a historical section that’s untouched and has graves that date back to the 1800s. It was a lot of fun exploring both areas and seeing how grave designs have changed over the years.
As the sun began to hide behind the mountains, we knew it was time to go. We made our way back into the city center and stopped at “Mac’s” along the way for a Strawberry Steamer drink (we have been addicted to this drink ever since we first tried it in Banff). We had a bit of trouble finding the Greyhound Station but eventually found it near the bakery. Time to head back to Calgary and return home!
I’m definitely going back to Canmore someday, perhaps during the summer months. I’d even consider living there for a while if I had a job opportunity. If you ever make plans to visit Banff, be sure to stop by Canmore as well!
Whoa Dana 