Kosher Mountain Retreat

So the trippers are finally on the road (see packed car below)!

First stop: Banff! Staying at the Y-Mountain-Lodge hostel (an old, converted hospital). Awesome place -- right beside the beautiful Bow River and just across the bridge from downtown Banff.
http://www.ymountainlodge.com/

Last night we hiked up to the Banff Springs Hotel and discovered that it was populated with interestingly clad (black robes) men with long single dreadlocked sideburns .... aka... Hasidics! It was a "Kosher Mountain Retreat"! (we weren't invited, actually)...
http://www.kmrtours.com/

Then, today, we hiked along the Bow River trails, way past the falls and up into a meadow where we plunked down our blankets and picnic supplies and proceeded to take in the scenery (grazing deer included)!