Sometimes campgrounds are just places to stop.
This was one of those campgrounds. But it did had location going for it.
It was really close to the some of the venues from the 1988 Olympics. I passed the ski jumps every time I went to or from the campground.
In all fairness, maybe it was more appealing in the warm months. I was there in April and it was still pretty cool at times.
Since I was so close, I decided that I should head toward Banff. I didn’t know how far I’d get, but I headed Bart down the road.
I could see the Rockies rising up the closer I got.
I was getting closer.
And closer.
I was captivated by the trash cans I saw along the roads. They angled so that the passenger would be able to easily put the trash into the can. Not only were there trash cans, there were recycling bins right next to them! What a great design.
I pulled over to the Lac des Arcs Waterfowl Viewing Area. I didn’t see any waterfowl.
I did see some sort of factory. I wonder what they were producing. Cement, perhaps?
I imagine that they were doing something with the rock mined right next door.
There were mountains all around by this time.
I got to Canmore and saw a sign for a tourism office. Unfortunately, the office was closed, so I couldn’t get any information, but the rest rooms were open.
Hallelujah!
I saw a sign for an ammolite jewelry factory and showroom in town, so I decided to check it out. The prices were a little mind-boggling – especially for a dyed in the wool cheapskate like me. But, I pried open my wallet and bought myself a necklace.
Actually, I just bought the pendant. I had an old chain from my mother that I put it on.
It has some iridescence when you move it in the light. It’s a nice souvenir from Alberta, my mother’s birthplace.
I was a little tired of sightseeing and driving, so I decided to head back. I stopped for gas, and came across a Texas gate.
Interesting. I always called these “cattle guards”. Do you suppose they call them “Alberta Gates” in Texas?
Nah…
I decided to pick up some groceries and came across my favorite cookies. 
Dad’s Oatmeal Cookies!
When I was a little girl and I would go to visit my grandmother in Crystal Beach, Ontario, she had a little carrier for me to put my Dad’s cookies in.
The cookies were on sale. If I remember correctly, they were about $1.65.
I bought all the packets they had!
Time to get packed up and ready to roll.
Next stop: Red Deer.