On Sunday, after our high-intensity day in Calgary and after stocking up on groceries in the Mount Royal Area,, we left the city to head towards the Rocky Mountains. It was an interesting drive on Highway 1, the Transcanada Highway, heading towards the mountains. There were some interesing looking clouds on the horizon that kept us entertained on the drive and it didn’t take us any more than about an hour and 15 mintues to get to Banff. We checked in at the Banff Rocky Mountain condominium resort and settled in for the evening to relax after a couple of really hectic days.

Yesterday after a leisurely breakfast we got up to take a drive through Banff. Banff is a quaint mountain town with many different hotels, restaurants, shops and galleries. We drove down Banff Avenue, the town’s main street, and since I had to pick a package up at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, we briefly explored this historic landmark. When Canadian Pacific built the railroads in the 1880s towards the West Coast, they determined that the Banff / Lake Louise area had tremendous potential for tourism and CPR built the Banff Springs Hotel in 1888 to develop this area for all the travellers who were keen to discover the rugged beauty of the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

After our very brief introductory exploration of this impressive building we decided to go skiing at Norquay, just 10 minutes from downtown Banff. On our first full day here we wanted to take it easy a bit since I am just getting over a major chest cold. I figured a couple of hours of local skiing would be enough of an initiation to the Canadian Rockies.

Norquay refers to itself as “Banff’s Best Kept Secret” and it has been around since 1926. Incidentally, Norquay is home to Thomas Grandi, Canada’s World Cup GS 2 time Champion. This ski resort is also the only one in the Banff area that offers night skiing.

What we found great was that Norquay offers the so-called “Ski & Ride by the Hour” passes and a 2 hour ticket was only $29, a great value. We drove up from the town on a forest road with many switchbacks and stopped several times at different lookout points to look over the Bow Valley and the Town of Banff. The vistas of the surrounding mountains are simply magnificent.

We arrived at the ski resort not much later (Norquay is only 5 km from the Town of Banff), and since it was a Monday, the slopes were nice and empty. Norquay’s elevation at the base is 1,630 m (5350 feet) and at the top it is 2,133 m (7000 feet). The vertical drop is 1650 feet and the resort has 32 runs. About 20 % of its terrain is geared towards beginners, 36% towards intermediate skiers, 28% to advanced and 16% to expert skiers. According to their website, Norquay also has a terrain park that features gap jumps, table tops, and hits for all levels of riders. We , however, decided to stick to our good old trusted skis and forego the jumps and table tops….

The runs on the south side looked extremely imposing, and most of them are single or double black diamonds. The slopes are extremely steep and covered with all sorts of bumps and moguls and this was an area we didn’t feel confident enough to tackle. I am sure expert level skiers would have a ball there.

We started with the first of four chairlifts and worked our way northwards and thoroughly enjoyed the extremely well-groomed blue runs. As a matter of fact, Norquay offers a Grooming Guarantee that ensures that the runs are always in perfect condition. We flew down a few of the single-black diamond runs, and because of the excellent grooming there was no problem at all, even for two non-experts like us.

At one point we ventured onto the northernmost trail which connected horizontally along the hill to the last run which was a double-black diamond run at the top. It was very steep, with lots of moguls, and very narrow, probably no wider than 3 m (10 ft). That was a slightly unfortunate choice since we got bumped a little by the topography, but once we had made it through that dicey stretch, the slope improved and we enjoyed our run to the bottom of the hill.

After our 2-hour ticket was finished we relaxed for a while in the spacious chalet at the bottom and watched the skiers coming down the hill. We both commented that Norquay was a very pleasant skiing experience and a great initiation to the Rocky Mountains.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/a-banff-vacation-journal-4574806.html

“Musical Entertainment That Surpasses Your Expectations”
About Us
Barry Shaw Productions specializes in providing the very finest in live musical entertainment to private and corporate clients in Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria and other regions across Alberta and British Columbia. Barry Shaw has over ten years experience as an international performer and artistic director of private and corporate music events across Western Canada.
If you require “World Class” musical entertainment that encompasses a variety of musical tastes such as Swing, Jazz, R and B, Rock and Roll, Old, New school and top 40 look no further. The Barry Shaw Quartet, Orchestra and Unique R and B will enhance any event by tailoring a show to meet the individual needs of any client.
Our high energy Theme Parties range from Mardi Gras, Sinatra Tribute, and Rat Pack Tribute to 70′s Retro Night to Caribbean Dance Party. Cocktail Parties are enhanced by the Barry Shaw Trio or Quartet. Playing soft Jazz, Pop and Latin music they provide a gentle and sophisticated backdrop to any cocktail party, reception or intimate affair. Link to Barry Shaw lounge page
If you’re planning a Wedding we will design a live music show tailored to your needs, we will learn a favourite or special song, and meet with you to perfect the show flow and logistics in order that your special day is perfect Corporate clients receive Concierge Service We understand from over ten years of providing world class corporate entertainment what it takes to satisfy the most discerning client, and we consistently deliver by involving and engaging audience members in the show by getting them up dancing, singing and having a great time! See Audience Reviews Link
Gala Award Shows are our specialty, with custom arrangements, exact timing and themed play-ons and play-offs that match the award as well as the unique recipients of each award.
Charity Events and Fundraisers receive special rates. Please call 403-861-5958 for more details.
Barry Shaw prior to his performance at the 2007 Post Hotel International Wine and Food Festival Lake Louise, Alberta.
What People are saying about Barry Shaw and his band!!
“The best band we have ever had ever!” Michael C. Nexen Christmas Party 2007
“A class act in every sense! Thank you so much Barry. ” Gail Molson W edding The Ranchmans Club 2007
“Barry It was great to visit town and be entertained by you. You have an amazing voice!”
Bruce Weitz Actor: Hill Street Blues
“You guys rocked!” Michael Sumpter CEO Servier Canada, 2006 Gala Awards Show Cascade Ballroom, Banff Springs Hotel
“Barry, thanks for everything, your band was so much fun!” Highly Recommended Ken Stroud CEO Trane USA
“Dear Barry, your performance at my 50th Anniversary was superb. What a voice! Your CD in our gift bags was a wonderful touch!”
Bernard Florence 50th Anniversary Party Calgary Jewellery
“Barry, we were the last couple to leave tonight. We so much enjoyed the show and the slow ballads at the end. I liked your versions of the standards better than the original.”
Sam Brownback, Chicago Illinois Christmas in the Alhambra 2006 Banff Springs
“Dear Barry every year we fly into Banff to see your show. You have a beautiful voice but more important you always take the time to come over and say hello. Thank you for another memorable and magical Christmas and New Years Eve!” Banff Springs New Years Eve Gala 2006″
Barry Shaw Productions 403-861-5958

About the Author
Barry Shaw Entertainment Inc. specializes in providing “World Class” musical entertainment services to private and corporate clients in Calgary, Banff, Lake Louise, Edmonton, Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria and across North America.

http://www.BarryShawLive.com

When was the last time you visited Canada? It is a large and very nice country indeed. A long time ago I had the chance to visit Banff Springs Hotel. Nestled in the Canadian Rockies is a beautiful hotel that visitors from all over the world flock to. It’s a perfect hotel for celebrating a wedding and perfect for a couple in need of some special away time. It’s the Banff Springs Hotel and if you love the crisp Canadian air, you will take pleasure in spending a weekend lapping up the comfort of this northern treasure.

The hotel itself is located in one of Canada’s most lovely national parks. It’s also near the resort town of Banff, which is a beautiful city by the way. For people who reside in Alberta, the Banf fSprings Hotel is known as much as a travelers place to visit as it is a site we love to drive to. It’s only a few hours drive from almost anywhere in the province and once you arrive there you are treated like royalty by the staff.

If you love skiing, you may certainly go to a lot of the local ski areas and later spend your night at the hotel. Banff is home to some of the globe’s premier ski runs and once you have used up all your energy on the hills you may enjoy a delectable mid-evening meal at the hotel.

Aesthetically it’s probably one of the most architecturally interesting buildings you will ever see. There are a lot photos {on the Web|on Internet|online of the Banff Springs Hotel taken from atop one of the area’s mountains. Images that showcase the hotel in spring are often sprinkled with the imposing greenery from the surrounding trees. In the winter you will enjoy the stark white site that is ever present in those months in the Canadian Rockies.

This is surely one of the most attractive holiday places to go for both Americans and travelers from other countries. It’s important that if you decide you want to stay at the Banff Springs Hotel that you reserve early. You can certainly make a reservation directly with the hotel, or if you want you can go through one of the various discount travel sites that offer accommodations around the world.

It’s difficult to tell whether one time of year is better for a vacation to this region of Canada. During the spring and summer seasons you can expect to enjoy warm temperatures with minimal rain. The fall is clearly a great period to stay at the hotel as you will have the advantage of looking at the trees in the area, in their autumn magnificence. For those who thrive in the cold, a visit to the Banff Springs Hotel during the winter season will reveal a white wonderland. Nothing is more spectacular than looking outside of your room at the hotel to see the snow falling. It really is a winter wonderland like no other. So next time you are thinking about visiting a great country you will know where to go.

Banff : Ski Vacation Destination

Banff is one of the natural wonders of the West, from high snow covered peaks to roaring rapids and stunning canyons Banff has something different to offer everyone. If your heading to Banff to ski the fresh powder, be excited, three world class resorts await you: Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Mount Norquay.  With a local Airport Banff can accommodated any occasion you might have in mind whether a leisurely golf escape or a beautiful wedding.  The point off this article is to offer some practical information of Banff and some basic information about the ski resorts located there.

1)   Banff is a small town nested in the Alberta Rockies of Alberta, Canada. With two towns located in the Banff Nation Park, Banff being the largest and closest to Calgary which is about an hour and a half drive to the west.  Although Banff has a local airport for international flights, Calgary will be your first destination. After landing in Calgary you will take the Trans Canada Highway west.  For those not renting a Vehicle the airport has access to three shuttle services which provide transport to the town of Banff and Lake Louis: Banff Airporter inc., Brewster Airporter & resort connector, and the Mountain Connector. So there is really no lack of quick access to the town.

2)   Lake Louise is probably the most known ski resort in the area. The ski resort has a base elevation of 5,400ft and a summit elevation of 8,652ft. With 15ft of snow a year covering a total skiable area of 4,200 acres there is no lack of fresh snow for everyone.  139 ski runs are accessible by a state of the art lift system: 9 lifts total wit 3 surface lifts, one triple, one fixed grip quad, two high speed quads (super chairs), one high speed 6 chair, and one Gondola. Also there are 3 terrain parks for the snowboarders.

3)   Sunshine Village is located about 15 minutes west of Banff. The resort has a base elevation of 5,446ft and a summit elevation of 8,957ft. With an average of 30ft of snow a year its almost double that of Lake Louis. 107 ski runs cover 8,957 acres of terrain. The runs are accessible by 12 lifts: 5 high speed quad chairs, 2 fixed grip quad chairs, one triple, one double chair, 2 magic carpets, and one Gondola. The resort can support 20,000 skiers an hour.

4)   Mount Norquay is the smallest of the three resorts. Its base elevation is 5,348 ft and has a summit elevation of 6,998ft. It has 33 runs which cover .3 sq miles of terrain. Access is provided by 4 chairlifts and has a terrain park for the riders.

Which ever way you decide to go once you reach Banff your sure to have a great time.

Of all the places I have ever been, this is possibly the best snowboarding resort in my view. The snow is wonderful, the terrain is giant, pretty & filled with variety, & best of all the people are a  of the most laid back & genuinely friendly people I have ever met.

Banff itself is a little village located 45mins away from Calgary which is the most local airport to this snowboarding resort. Sitting inside a National Park, Banff is a stunning village surrounded by mountains. The main road through Banff (Banff Avenue) is lined with a immense choice of hotels, shops, bars, night clubs & restaurants to suit all snowboarders, there is something for everyone in Banff.

Getting to the slopes is simple in Banff, purchasing a tri-area lift pass is a must, this includes all shuttles & will give you access to the resorts of Norquay (Banffs closest mountain), Sunshine Valley, & Lake Louise, i believe this list pass is worth every penny and I’m sure you will agree.

The bus schedules are displayed inside  all hotels along banff avenue & in the event that they are not then I’m sure that your rep will have one for you. There are two buses which run at various times depending on which resort you need to go to. These buses are efficient & always run on time. They pick up from various hotels along the Banff Avenue, you’re nearest pickup is never far away.

So if you are thinking about going for a snowbaord Holiday in Canada, then Banff is certainly a place that you need to seriously consider.

How far in advance should we book our venue and our vendors?

Banff and Lake Louise are limited in venues so its best to book as soon as you know that Banff is the place for your wedding.  Like anywhere else; its best to book at least a year in advance to be sure that you get the date that you want.  There are only so many Saturdays in the busy wedding month of May – October and venues like the Banff Springs Hotel and Buffalo Mountain Lodge fill up so quickly.  Some hotels like the Rimrock have strict booking policies so it’s best to check with the specific venue that you are interested in first before getting your heart set on something that you won’t be able to have.  There’s nothing worse than a bride in tears before she walks down the aisle because she didn’t get the aisle that she wanted!

Where can we have an outdoor wedding in Banff?

It all depends on how many guests you are planning on inviting and if you want your guests to be able to sit down for the ceremony.  There are a couple of places that are operated by the Town of Banff; Tunnel Mountain Reservoir ( sometimes called Banff Meadows) and the Central Park Gazebo.  Both sites have ample room for 50+ guests.  The Terrace at the Banff Springs Hotel is always a crowd pleaser with its stunning views of the Bow Valley.  The Juniper Hotel has an outdoor terrace that is spacious and looks out towards Vermillion Lakes.  The Rimrock Terrace has beautiful green grass and with Mount Rundle in the background your photos will be stunning.  If you are having a smaller wedding of ten guests or less you can always ask your marriage commissioner to meet you and your guests at popular places like Two Jack Lake, Cascade Gardens or Surprise Corner.  Again, check with the hotel that you would like to have a wedding ceremony at because most hotels have a food and beverage requirement.  We always recommend and indoor option as a ceremony back up.  Having a wedding in the mountains comes with risk and sometimes Mother Nature will not cooperate with you no matter what.  Be kind to your guests by saving the comments about the weather and have your ceremony indoors.  All your photos can be outside and your guests will be happy.

Where can we have a reception in Banff?

Banff has many different styles of hotels to accommodate you and your guests for your memorable wedding reception.  From a Luxurious high-end castle all the way to a rustic lodge nestled in the pine trees…..the possibilities are here!  When you book your wedding with a hotel in Banff or Lake Louise, you will be assigned a Wedding Coordinator or a Conference Services Associate.  This person is not your wedding planner.  If you want a Banff wedding planner you will have to hire one independently.  Your hotel contact is there to advise you of the hotel, it’s policies and procedures, the menu etc.  They are not there to advise you what color of eggplant goes with gold and what kind of gifts that you should present your brides maids with.  90% of the receptions in Banff are held indoors at hotels with the remaining 10% held outdoors in a more informal atmosphere.  Considering an outdoor event for 200; check with Parks Canada first to see if your event is possible.

Is the accommodation expensive?

Banff offers all types of accommodations from fun and funky B&B’s all the way to 4 diamond and 5 star luxury hotels.  Your guests do not have to stay at the same hotel that your wedding is being held at.  Most hotels will give you a preferred rate if your wedding is being held there.  Some hotels have a minimum room requirement on the night of your wedding.  It’s always nice to add a gift bag or something special to your guest’s rooms.  When they check in, have some maps of Banff and area as well as an itinerary for the weekend waiting for them in the room.  Guests will want to know what’s happening and how they can get involved while they are visiting the mountains.

How do we get to Banff?

Banff is located just a short one hour drive from the Calgary International Airport.  There are many different national car rental agencies at the airport that you can reserve a car at.  You will enjoy the foothills and the scenery as you approach the mountain range.  Canada’s highways are easy to navigate and driving a car to Banff will give you the freedom to explore the area while you are in town.  If you want to leave the driving up to someone else so you can enjoy the scenery and take plenty of photos; you can get a shuttle from the airport right to the front door of your hotel.  While you are in Banff and Lake Louise there are many tours that you can join in on.  Take some time to set something up with a local tour guide for your guests.  A nightly animal watch tour will be exciting and unforgettable for your guests.

Does Banff have vendors that can assist us with our wedding?

Banff has florists, DJ’s, photographers, videographers, wedding planners, limo rental agencies, and many other wedding providers to assist you.  That being said……if you want to bring your favorite Pastor to marry you just make sure that they have the necessary requirements to marry you in the province of Alberta.  Banff books up fast for vendors and we understand that you may want to bring your own flowers or photographer which is fantastic!  Enjoy your time here for your wedding and surround yourselves with the people who you love most on your special day.  GMiB will be able to advise you of the local vendors and match you with the vendors that suit your wedding day preferences.

After our wedding we want to stay and enjoy the area; is their enough for us to do for a week?

The wedding is over and you are free to enjoy your time together as newlyweds!  Start with a spa day at the Willow Stream Spa and pamper yourselves.  Take a hike, go up the gondola and maybe take in some golf at the Banff Springs Hotel golf course.  Drive along the highway to Johnson Canyon and see what beauty we have just 5 min off of the highway.  Take your time at Moraine Lake and have a tea while you watch the sun get lost in the Valley of the Ten Peaks.  See some elk and bighorn sheep at Lake Minnewanka while you are getting ready to board the Minnewanka Boat Tour for the afternoon.  Enjoy world-wide, award-winning cuisine on and off Banff Avenue, and if there is time….stop at Louis Vuitton and buy yourselves a wedding gift!

There are plenty of activities for all kinds of honeymooners.  If you want an adventure vacation or a nice relaxing retreat then Banff is the place to have your wedding!

 About the Author

Get Married in Banff is an all inclusive wedding providor located in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Founded by Angie and Reg Spencer, GMiB offers all of your wedding needs from Elopements, DiY Wedding Kits, Wedding Day Coordination, and Luxury Wedding Planning. We are also the original providor of quality Wedding Rentals located locally in the town of Banff. 
Our company”s originality and non-traditional way of thinking have propelled it into one of the most pursued destination wedding service companies in the entire country.
We provide only top quality customer service and original products. We provide leadership, guidance and hands on availability. 
We provide you with what you expect a professional company to provide – peace of mind.
This is the foundation, this is Get Married in Banff.

During our extensive research we were surprised to find that Europe and North America seem to have an inordinate amount of spirits who just don’t want to leave their former residences (though we’re thinking with the recent economic downturn, many may change their minds and finally move on). Even so, there are places to stay around the world where spooks and specters float in the night…. Here is our top 13!

The Nottingham Road Hotel (South Africa)

What’s the best way to keep good staff? Don’t let them leave. This hotel in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa has a barmaid who apparently decided the tips were just too good. The barmaid’s spirit has been known to move pots around the pub, open beer taps, ring a service bell (which was supposedly no longer in working order) and has even been attributed to deflating tires of certain guests. They were poor tippers of course.

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel (USA)

There are so many haunted hotels in the United States, it was tough to pick just a few. We picked this one because it’s just so cool. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, California is supposedly home to the ghosts or Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift. Marilyn is said to haunt a full length mirror that was once in a room she was known to frequent. Guests have reported catching glimpses of the blonde bombshell in the mirror as they pass. Clift stayed in room 928 while filming From Here to Eternity and guests have reported being able to hear him pacing and rehearsing his lines.

Buma Inn (China)

The Chinese take their spirits seriously, and this one at the Buma Inn in Beijing seriously wants revenge. Apparently a guest at the Inn was poisoned by the chef and subsequently died. The chef was so upset about it, that he then killed himself afterwards. The murdered guest is said to be seen roaming the halls forever in search of the chef, looking to inflict his revenge.

Breakfast Creek Inn (Australia)

According to the Brisbane Visitor’s Guide this Brisbane hotel is apparently known to almost the entire population of Australia. If that wasn’t weird enough, it’s apparently haunted as well. It was built in 1889 by William Galloway, the former Lord Mayor of Brisbane. One night, apparently drunk, he fell from a second floor window to his death in 1895. Having undergone many renovations since then, his ghost is said to have been seen and heard wandering the older, original portions of the hotel.

Toftaholm Herrgard (Sweden)

Once home to a baron this hotel in Toftaholm, Sweden is haunted by a young boy. The boy, a commoner, fell in love with the baron’s daughter. The baron disapproved and arranged for his daughter to be married to someone else. On the day of the wedding, the boy hung himself in the rafters. His spirit is said to haunt room 324 where the rafters once were.

Genting Highlands Resort (Malaysia)

Located just north of Kuala Lumpur, this popular resort and casino has apparently seen its fair share of suicides by those distraught after incurring gambling debts at the tables. Various visitors have related stories of seeing a man jump from the top of the hotel only to vanish before hitting the ground. It’s also said there are rooms in the hotel that are not available to stay in no matter what the occupancy level of the hotel because of the strong presence of otherworldly spirits.

Ballygally Castle Hotel (Ireland)

It’s a castle, therefore it must be haunted. The Ballygally Castle Hotel is haunted by Lady Isabella Shaw, who was imprisoned here in the 17th century for the horrible crime of giving birth to a daughter instead of a boy. So distraught, she apparently jumped to her death clutching her daughter. Her ghost is said to be heard wandering the halls, knocking on doors…while holding her crying baby. Creeeeepy.

Dragsholm Slot – Hotel (Denmark)

Another castle (go figure), this one located in Sealand, Denmark is home to three ghosts; the Gray Lady, White Lady and the Earl of Bothwell. The Gray Lady is apparently a maiden who was so devoted to the castle she returns nightly to check on the grounds. The Earl of Brothwell was captured here in the 1500′s and imprisoned in the cellar where he subsequently went mad and died, now forever to wander the halls. The White Lady is a daughter of one of the former owners who fell in love with a commoner. Her father found out about the illicit affair and imprisoned her in the castle. During renovations in the 1930’s a skeleton in a white dress was found behind one of the walls lending credence to the tale.

The Stanley Hotel (USA)

We like creepy movies, and Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” is as creepy as they come. Based on the Stephen King novel, King himself based the Overlook Hotel in his book on The Stanley Hotel in Park Estes, Colorado. The Stanley is said to be haunted by its original owner F.O. Stanley and his wife Flora. Stanley’s ghost has been seen wandering the lobby, bar and Billiard Room while Flora continues to play the piano in the Music Room. Guests have reportedly heard music coming from the room. When they open the door the keys are seen moving on the piano as well, but as soon as they go closer to investigate, the music stops.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel (Canada)

Set in picturesque Banff, Alberta the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel is said to be haunted by a ghost bride. Legend has it that a bride was walking down the grand staircase to the lobby for her wedding reception. The “train” on her gown apparently brushed against one of the numerous candles used to light the lobby and caught fire. In her panic, she apparently tripped and fell down the stairs, breaking her neck. Her ghost has been seen wandering the halls still in her dress. Just more proof that eloping is the best choice.

The Savoy Hotel (India)

Famous as the inspiration for Agatha Christie’s first novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles, the Savoy Hotel in Mussoorie, India is apparently haunted by its former owner, Lady Orme. Murdered by sipping on some strychnine mysteriously placed in her medicine bottle, Ms. Orme’s murderer was never found. Her ghost has reportedly been seen aimlessly walking the halls of her old hotel.

The Langham Hilton Hotel (England)

An iconic hotel in the middle of London, the Langham is reputedly one of the most haunted hotels in the world, with as many as 7 different ghosts seen from time to time. Some of the ghosts are dressed in Victorian clothing, one of the ghosts is said to be that of a German soldier, another is said to be the ghost of doctor who murdered his wife and then killed himself, and the Emperor Louis Napolean III is said to haunt the basement. Room 333 is supposed to be the most haunted of all, in which a BBC reporter watched a specter appear from a floating, glowing ball, right in front of his eyes.

The Queen Mary (USA)

It’s a boat, a hotel and it’s haunted. How cool is that! The former luxury liner was bigger and faster than the Titanic in her day and was used to transport troops in World War II. Now permanently docked in Long Beach, California and converted to a floating hotel, the Queen Mary is reportedly home to various different ghosts. The boat has been the site of 49 deaths, so there could be a few ghosts to choose from. There is the sailor crushed behind Door 13 of the engine room, now seen roaming the halls only to disappear behind the very same door that killed him, there are the women in 30′s style bathing suits seen sitting around the first class pool (though the pool has been closed for decades) and there’s the little girl who drowned in the second class poolroom, often seen (and heard) in the area while clutching a teddy bear. There is apparently more, but we’re just too freaked out to continue talking about it.