Banff National Park, Canada

Writings from Banff:

“Hiking is a lot like the journey of life. We set out on paths that seem promising—maybe one known for its breathtaking views, or perhaps a trail we know will challenge us, with steep climbs, rocky terrain, and obstacles at every turn. We embark on these tough routes hoping the struggle will be “worth it” when we finally reach the summit.

But along the way, I’ve noticed something: my eyes are rarely on the views around me. Instead, my gaze is fixed downward, watching my feet to avoid stumbling over unseen rocks, or focused ahead, scanning the path for what’s next. I miss the beauty of what’s unfolding right in front of me.

This realization struck a deeper chord; how often, even in life, do we overlook the present moment because we’re too focused on the future? We pour our energy into choosing the best paths, perhaps getting into the most prestigious programs, landing incredible jobs, or visiting remarkable places. Yet, we’re so consumed by what these accomplishments will bring or what comes next that we forget to enjoy the process.

We don’t stop to celebrate the hard work it took to achieve our goals or the friendships we formed along the way. We rush through today, preoccupied with tomorrow’s itinerary, forgetting to cherish the privilege of having a safe, loving, and joyful place to call home.

In the end, my hope is simple: that whatever trail I take, I’ll stay present. I’ll embrace the moment, even if it means stumbling now and then. After all, a small trip over a rock is a small price to pay for truly seeing and savoring the journey as it unfolds.” – Olivia Kimbell

“If we are only given one chance to live, why are we so quick to waste it? Why do we sell ourselves short? From the moment we begin school, the question “what do you want to be when you grow up?” is engraved in our minds. We are expected to map out every detail of our life from 18-65. The moment we enter college, we are expected to pack any free time we are given with internships where we are overworked and underpaid. From there we cross our fingers and pray that they will offer us a position after we graduate, where they can continue to overwork us and demand the work of a machine from a human being. After forty years at the same job, a few promotions, a husband, a few children, and a paid off mortgage it’s time for you to retire. By now all your children have graduated college and it’s only you and your husband at home. You wish you would have had time like this when you were young and had no commitments. The time for travel, the time to pour into relationships, to experience the world. But now you have aged and you claim you’re “too old to travel anymore.” This is the life at 18 you were so eager to live because society told you that’s what success was. Your pockets are full, but your home is empty. Your heart is empty. You are haunted by what could’ve been but never was. This was your one life and you wasted it. We were never created to run like a machine, to all do the same thing. We were created to create. To bring something new into the world. Society crushes creativity and deems it childish. But wasn’t childhood more fun? No mortgage, no office job, no politics. Only someone telling you that you could become and do anything when you grew up. Why did that stop? Why are we told to think realistically? We are so quick to give up the freedom we fought so hard to have. Success is not determined by the number in your bank account, the car you drive, or your position at work. Success is determined by the contentment that lives within. The fullness found in those around you. Success is not a number. You only get one life, don’t waste it.” – Megan Kimbell

Favorites In Banff:

Food:

Magpie & Stump: We stopped here both times we visited for happy hour tacos and a strawberry margarita! Affordable and great food!
Banff Ave Brewing Company: We stopped here after a hike to grab a beer and get an appetizer. This brewing company serves a limited menu, offers speciality Canadian Brews and is the perfect place to stop post hike!

In all honesty, Banff is not a place you visit if you’re interested in trying new foods. We visited twice and cooked all our meals at home, which helped cut expenses and gave us more time to enjoy our meals in nature!

Coffee:

Good Earth Coffeehouse: Great coffee, we tried the maple latte and loved it! Great seating options and offers window views of Banff!
Cilantro on the Lake: A window coffee shop that sits on the side of Emerald Lake! The most stunning views, and a great coffee selection!
Analog Coffee in Calgary: We stopped here on our way in and to the airport! The best coffee we had during our travels in Banff. They also have a selection of pastries and the best breakfast sandwiches. 10/10 recommend stopping here for coffee!

Hikes/Viewpoints:

Lake Agnes Trail: 2.55 miles roundtrip, would recommend for intermediate/beginner hikers. This loop includes a lot of elevation, however the views along the way make it so worth the hike! The hike ends at a teahouse on the top of the mountain!
Wapta Falls Trail: 3 miles roundtrip, this hike is an easy hike down to the most incredible waterfall! I would suggest this hike if you are looking for a trail that isn’t as crowded. It took us about an hour to complete and we had the entire trail to ourselves!
Emerald Lake Loop: 3.20 miles roundtrip, very easy walking trail. Emerald Lake was the most incredible lake we had the pleasure of seeing during our time in Banff. It was not nearly as crowded as Lake Moraine or Lake Louise.
Moraine Lake Shoreline Trail: 2.3 miles roundtrip that takes about an hour to complete, with stunning views of Moraine Lake.

Banff National Park will be marked by new friendships formed, and new creation explored. Megan has had the idea to take a trip to Banff National Park on her mind for a while, however it wasn't until we met Mackenzie Miller, who also shared the same dream, we put effort behind this dream to make it a reality. Mackenzie is adventurous, kind, and a problem solver, making her an ideal travel companion. Mackenzie wrapped in her best friend, Ashlynn Pearson, and eventually after the three of them booked their flights (which were $170 roundtrip from Houston to Calgary) I decided, I too, would join them. Megan and I did not know Ashlynn well, and had really only known Mackenzie for a few months, so you could say we were curious to see how this trip would go.

We set off in October of 2023, only two weeks after we had booked our flights. When we arrived we got a rental car, and hit the road for the next two hours as we journeyed to our lodging for the next week. Two hours was really all we needed to become best friends with Ashlynn, she has a personality that is spunky and fun and a humor that is contagious. We played the A-Z music game (which is basically just a game where you queue a song that starts with A, pass it to the next person and they queue a song that starts with B, and so on until you've hit every letter in the alphabet) and that alone took up the entire car ride.

When we arrived at our lodging we were amazed at the views ahead of us. We came just in time for the first snowfall of the season. The snow covered the mountains and the ground around us. Being from Texas, any sighting of snow is miraculous. We spent the days at coffee shops, drinking Maple Lattes, hiking the snowy mountains, and eating PB&J's at the submit. We spent the nights laughing and hanging out, watching High School Musical and Harry Potter. We baked blueberry loafs, made homemade pizzas, and drank wine by the fire. The first trip was remarkable, one of the best trips we had been on in our life, we spent the best time with some of the best people.

We left Banff that week and knew it wouldn't be the last time we visited. When we arrived back in College Station we started arranging plans for the next trip back!

That's of course when October of 2024 rolled around, and we got a text from Megan that roundtrip flights from Houston to Calgary were $160. Within minutes our flights were booked and we found the perfect cabin in the middle of Golden, Canada to stay at for the week.

When we arrived a second time in Calgary, we knew the drill. We picked up our rental car (which was an olive green Jeep Wrangler, just perfect for the occasion), and headed towards the cabin, with a stop of course for a Maple Latte at Analog Coffee. When we arrived at the cabin we knew we were in for a treat, the driveway alone took 20 minutes to drive down, the AC was nonexistent, any chance of heat came from a fireplace with no fire starter, the lights in the house were produced by candles (as there was no electricity), and to our surprise there was a mice infestation. Despite these "problems" the cabin was perfect lodging! It was so remote, with a perfect view of the Canadian Rockies.

The second go around we hit the places we didn't get the opportunity of seeing the first visit. We visited Yoho National Park, hiked an incredible waterfall, and woke up to see the sun rise over Lake Louise. We explored the town of Banff, and made sure we made it back just in time to watch the sunset from our backyard. Every night we gathered around the fire (that Ashlynn always made) and ate dinner. While the views I saw were breathtaking, the memories we made while gathered around the fire are ones that I will never forget.

Each night, we wrapped up our day with a movie. One evening, we watched Into the Wild, letting it inspire dreams of a simpler life, one where we’d live off the essentials and immerse ourselves fully in nature’s beauty. We popped popcorn the old-fashioned way, right on the stovetop. And as if the experience couldn’t get any better, we were treated to glimpses of the northern lights.

Banff National Park has become more than just a destination—it’s a tradition, a place where memories are made and bonds grow stronger. The snowy peaks, cozy evenings, and shared adventures have left a lasting mark on us. As we left this time, it wasn’t a question of if we’d return, but when.