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To the Editor:
Our flight from Tampa, to Denver, and then
on to Vancouver arrived on time. By leaving the house at 6 a.m., we
had gotten to the airport two hours before take off.
With a three-hour time change, we arrived
at noon in Vancouver and once we had checked into the hotel, it was
time to visit this beautiful city. With Canadian money already in
hand, we were surprised by our first $3 purchase, which required
one Loonie (the dollar Canadian coin) and one Toonie (the two
dollar Canadian coin).
Our tour bus would take us to many sights.
In Lac Le Jeune, a woman on the bus demanded that we stop when she
saw a sign that read "50% Off -- All Women's Clothes -- Today
Only." Our tour guide, Chris, laughed and said, "Lady that sign has
been up there for three years."
Our tour bus would take us to many sights
in Northwestern Canada in our 1,700-mile trip. We started in
Vancouver and ended with a two-day visit to Victoria and its
beautiful Buchart Gardens.
One of the highlights of the tour was our
visit in exquisite Lake Louise. We stayed in a log cabin beside a
picturesque lake. No television, no phone -- only peace and quiet.
The ponchos that we wore when we went white water rafting did
little to keep us dry. This exciting and fun experience was on the
river where the movie, "River of No Return," starring Marilyn
Monroe, was filmed. Our licensed guide knew the river rapids
well.
But, it was the time at Jasper National
Park that stole the show for us. We spent a marvelous day touring
along the spectacular Icefields Parkway and even rode an Ice
Explore bus to Alhabasca Glacier. Dressed in our stocking caps,
mittens and rubber-soled shoes, we walked onto the glacier. We were
careful to stay in the designated walking area so as to avoid
falling into a deep crevice. The temperature was only 2 Celsius;
double that and add thirty made it thirty-four degrees Fahrenheit.
It was difficult to believe that it was August as we stood on the
glacier. Its beauty and magnificence will remain in our memories
forever.
In Banff, we attended an evening dinner
show, "Oh Canada, Eh" that showed us the pride that the Canadians
feel about their country. We were provided with great food and a
musical show that had us clapping our hands and tapping our feet.
Their last song, Oh Canada, was sung loudly and proudly, while the
cast waved the Canadian flag. It brought the entire audience to
their feet.
If you feel that you're ready to head for
a vacation in Northwestern Canada, you could also extend your visit
with a cruise to Alaska. Just, be sure to take your warm weather
clothes -- you never know when you will get a chance to walk on a
glacier.
Raymond P. and Eleanor Weaver
Clearwater
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