What I Didn't Bring to Banff

July 17, 2010

The final leg of my Alberta vacation with my son was a scheduled stay in Banff. If you're ever looking for a fab family destination - a big thumbs up to Banff.

Originally built as a resort town - and now a protected National Park - Banff is all about exploring the great outdoors - which is perfect for kids who love adventure!

We stayed at the Douglas Fir Resort - an awesome family property. Our room was loft style - with the main floor nicely equipped with a kitchen area, fully stocked fireplace, flat screen tvs and a balcony with an incredible view of the mountains. The upstairs housed two double beds and a second bathroom.

The hotel also has larger family suites, an indoor pool, waterslide, indoor play area, convenience store and, most importantly, a beer and wine shop.

With only a day and a half to discover Banff, my son and I were selective. We headed for the Gondola ride up the mountain to an old weather station. The ride up almost 6,000 metres in an enclosed cable car is stunning - the thrill factor is the view - not the speed.

There's a winding wooden path that leads to the weather station with incredible vistas at every turn. As we walked, I started getting short of breath due to the elevation (or I'm really out of shape). With such incredible scenery to shoot, it was a blast testing the NEX-5 Sony camera.

My son wanted to take some photos of the incredible mountains landscape so I switched  the camera into the Sweep Panorama mode. Because instructions automatically pop up in this mode, he was able to easily follow the direction of the arrow on the LCD, and shoot this stunning shot himself. Either this camera is amazing or my nine-year-old son is uber talented.

Our next adventure was to visit the natural hot springs just up the hill. This is not some rustic bubbling hole at the bottom of the mountain. It's a fully-equipped modern pool heated by Mother Earth and laced with a low amount of vitamins and minerals. The pool was filled with tourists enjoying the 39-degree temperature. I enjoyed the water and looking out on the mountains, but felt it lacked authenticity.

I overheard some of the locals chatting later that day and they suggested other Hot Springs closer to Lake Louise as being less "touristy".

Dinner was a treat. My friend @CarlaYoung told me about a tiny vegetarian restaurant tucked away on the second floor of one of the main street malls called Nourish. What an yummy find. We ordered the nachos with 29 ingredients. Between my son and I we could not finish one order between us... and they were spectacular. You have got to go if you visit Banff!!

But the highlight of our vacation was the next day - when we headed to the Warner Outfitters Barn for a five-hour ride in the mountains. The only problem - it was raining and I forgot pack rain coats or warm jackets. So my son and I put on our warmest sweatshirts and a garbage bag style rain poncho and slipped into our saddles.

We freakin' froze.

For five hours we stoically sat in our saddles as our horses walked and trotted up and then down the face of the mountain - rain pouring down, wind whistling through our city slicker clothing. This isn't some kiddie trail ride. This was real trail riding along steep, muddy, rocky paths and then crossing the Bow River. I was so impressed with my son, who kept it together despite chattering teeth and bad weather.

Sadly we didn't see any wildlife on the ride... but we did when we were in the car. I noticed something from the corner of my eye, pulled over and there was... a MOOSE resting in the bushes by the road.

My son and I crept closer, me clutching my prized camera, feeling like a photograher from National Geographic. First, my son rolls his eyes at me and whispers, "It's not a moose - it's an elk." How does my 9 year old son know more than his worldly mom?

Moose, elk, whatever... I'm there with a fab camera. We stupidly creep closer...and closer. I'm shaking. I HAD TO GET THE SHOT. This  was no time for fiddling with my camera. I quickly clicked the Intelligent Auto Shoot Mode,  and let the camera do the work for me. Check it out!

To get this last shot, I used the Smile Shutter mode. Seriously...what will they think of next!??  When you click into this mode, the camera magically detects when your subject grins. There are 3 levels of smile detection: Big, Normal and Slight. I set it to slight, held the camera steady in my palm, and waited for my son to...smile! And presto! A shot to treasure! (BTW - this setting is a great party trick for kids...ask them to smile and they'll ooh and ahh as the camera magically takes a shot without you pressing any buttons!)

What a perfect way to end our amazing outdoor two-day adventure in Banff. Next time I bring my whole family... and a zoom lens for the Sony NEX-5.

Click to see what made Erica see Stampede differently...

Click to see why Erica thought Stampede was picture perfect...

Click to win a Sony NEX-5 worth $799

This blog was sponsored by our innovative friends at Sony

Changing The Way I See the Stampede

July 14, 2010

Day 2 of the Calgary Stampede with my son was a different experience now that I was having a love affair with the SONY NEX-5 camera I was testing.

I began to see the Stampede through the lens of my camera, as if I were an artist with tools to create something special. Now that I had mastered the portrait setting, it was time to step into the big league and click into the Sports Action setting.

Being a guest of the Alberta Tourist Board has one big perk - a photo pass for a VIP spot for my son and I to stand right by the action at the biggest rodeo in the country!

We were so excited to check out the Chuck Wagon races where teams of horse drawn wagons captained by cowboys barrel around barrels and then race around a huge track. Fastest chuck wagon wins a large purse of cash. Excitement is in the air as the horses gallop to the finish line.

Using the Action Sports setting, the camera automatically shoots fast motion at a higher shutter speed - and like a professional photographer, I held onto the shutter button for continuous shooting.

Here are a few of the action shoots I got.

But this was my favorite shot in motion - from the Steer Roping competition - this little guy got away and seems to by flying.

There's another super cool function I discovered on the sweet NEX-5 called Sweep Panorama (also a 3D setting) which creates a panoramic image by electronically gluing together a series of quick fire shots together seamlessly.

Here's a panoramic shot of the Stampede Grandstand audience during the Rodeo from my coveted position.

Next stop on our Stampede Adventure took us to Indian Village which celebrates local native traditions. Close to twenty gorgeous teepees are set up in a massive horseshoe formation on the grounds. The designs are bold and beautiful. Many native families live in these teepees during the 10 days of Stampede.

Here are a couple of Panoramic Shots I took of the teepees - which are in of themselves works of art.

We were also treated to a traditional hoop dance which, we learned, prepares a man for war. These dancers create stunning designs with hoops, but you have to be quick on the trigger to capture the moment photographically.

And I will end this post with a couple of favorite shots of my son that I have EVER taken. We had mosied over to the Western Oasis - a huge arena filled with stunning cowboy influenced art. There was a gentleman creating unique rock sculptures under an ever-changing swath of coloured light. I asked my son to model for me. I shot this in portrait mode while using a flash. I will treasure these  two shots of my little cowboy forever.

Thanks to the Sony NEX-5 for helping me make the Stampede look good.

Click to see what made Erica think Stampede was picture perfect...

Click to see what Erica didn't bring to Banff...

Click to win a Sony NEX-5 worth $799...

This blog was sponsored by our innovative friends at Sony