Leigh-Anne is being polite in her Facebook description of the recent family trip to Banff. While it was far from the worst trip ever, it occurred to me to ask myself that question a few times.

First of all, let me offer one piece of advice: it is generally not wise to take a family trip when a stomach virus is being passed through the group. Barfing and “dino-rhea” (as Benny used to refer to it and we continue to refer to it so that we smile when we say the word) does not make for a fun trip.

But, I’m also not the type to look a gift horse in the mouth. And when I got the reservation woman on the phone at the Rimrock and it became clear that the amazing price I was staring at on my web screen was a mistake but that they would honour it – we were going to Banff, come hell or high temperatures (and vomiting).

Plus, the first few days of this past week were snowy and cold and from Wednesday on it was forecast to be SUNNY and less cold – here in Edmonton, as well as in Banff. I could not resist the possibility that we could be walking amongst the towering snow covered peaks and be enjoying sunlight and relative warmth.

So, off we went on Wednesday morning, barf bags in hand, ready for anything.

It didn’t look bad the whole time. When we arrived at our hotel, nestled on the side of the mountain, we discovered that it was a short walk to both of the target attractions for us non-skiers: the gondola ride up the mountain and the upper hot springs. Of course, the first thing we had to do upon arrival was swim and test the hot tub.

The Gondola was the first order of business on Thursday morning and it proved to be the perfect start to a clear day. The kids oohed and ahhed all the way up. Back at the base, we walked to the hotel for – you guessed it – a swim. The rest of the day was spent walking Banff Ave and shopping. An early dinner at the Keg made everyone more or less happy.

Friday was Christmas and we skirted the hotel Christmas celebrations and headed straight to breakfast in the beautiful dining room overlooking the mountains. It was a clear and magnificent day that held such promise – a walk, maybe skating or sledding, a short drive to Lake Louise. All was possible.

After breakfast, Ben tossed his Fruit Loops in the stairwell. After a bit of a rest, we headed back to the pool for Ella to swim. Ben watched. Back in the room, getting ready to head out to enjoy the wonderful promising day, Ben was sick again. Sigh.

The rest of the day was spent in the room, in bed, the kids watching crappy Christmas cartoon and me reading my latest Michael Chabon obsession – The Yiddish Policeman’s Union. The book was good, but the day’s hopes had been dashed. Dinner was, predictably, a disaster. Less said the better.

On our way out of Banff Saturday morning, the sky was blue and the sun was streaming into the mountain town. The snow sparkled in a way I have rarely seen – like it was full of diamonds. Sadly, we had missed this chance to really connect with the mountains in Banff. Maybe next time.