Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: CyranoAH on November 27, 2002, 05:13:14 AM
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My father's turning 60 in a few weeks, and since it's a quite special bday, I was planning in giving him a different kind of present than the usual 3 hi-quality irons and a deluxe golf bag (which he will probably buy eventually, he's the regular have-it-all).
What then? I'd like to send him someplace he's always dreamt of visiting. That would be Alaska or northern Canada.
I was pretty impressed with the landscape in the movie "Insomnia", which was supposed to be located in Alaska but I heard it was filmed in Canada BC, and that gave me the idea.
That's where you guys, hopefully, come in. The thing is that my father is of the adventurous kind, but my mother isn't, so I have to find this delicate balance where he can see as many interesting things there are to see over there, but at the same time finding nice, comfortable (I can't stress this enough) places to stay, and not making her walk long distances.
Thanks for any help/ideas you can provide!
Daniel, aka Cyrano
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There are two National parks that are worth mentioning. You can hike, golf, whie water raft, shop etc at both of them.
Banff, Alberta (http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Hotels/AboutHotel/CDHotelHomePage/0,2993,property%25255Fseq%253D100100,00.html)
Jasper, Alberta (http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Hotels/AboutHotel/CDHotelHomePage/0,2993,property%25255Fseq%253D100104,00.html)
The two hotels are considered the best in terms of luxury and is where the folks with money go when they visit. It is very expensive at peak season.
I can pick up travel brocures to send to you if you like. Just e-mail me skernsk@shaw.ca
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Originally posted by CyranoAH
My father's turning 60 in a few weeks, and since it's a quite
I was pretty impressed with the landscape in the movie "Insomnia", which was supposed to be located in Alaska but I heard it was filmed in Canada BC, and that gave me the idea.
Daniel, aka Cyrano
The original "insomnia" is a norwegian film - hollywood tried to recreate the original northern norway nature in Canada. Not half as good, IMO. Send your dad to northern norway during the summer instead (in the winter it's pitch dark 99% of the time)- he'll get more scenery for his (your) money.
Here's a good place to start:
Lofoten (http://www.lofoten-tourist.no/)
PS! I spent a year in the Navy going up and down that great coastline - it's absolutely stunning, and have eft me many good memories.
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Banff, absolutely. Beautiful place.
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Alsaka is the most beautiful place I've ever visited.
bar none.
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You'd probably be better off having them come to Canada rather than Alaska. Bigger bang for the buck.... each US dollar gets you 1.5 Canadian.
Banff is a good suggestion.
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I was going to suggest Banff or Jasper as well.
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Hold on a second....didn't Cyrano ask for somewhere in Northern Canada...according to my geography Banff is in the southern part of the Province of Alberta, which boarders the US.
Geeesh...
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Hahaha, this from the land where they call Chicago "west", when it is quite obviously on the right hand side of the coutry.
I'd suggest Banff as well, even though I live right by it, there is always something new to see.
Pack a warm coat and some gloves if you come this time of year is all.
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Originally posted by Gman
Hahaha, this from the land where they call Chicago "west", when it is quite obviously on the right hand side of the coutry.
errrr Gman, I don't live in the land where they call Chicago "west". I live on a small island in the Atlantic that actually teaches children geography..and I know exactly where Chicago is.
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http://www.alaskawildland.com
seems a nice balance between comfort, and adventure.
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If he wants to send his father to muskeg country or a pine forested wasteland then by all means head north.
From the post it sounded like he wanted suggestions for a good place to send his folks where they can see and do a number of things. IMHO Banff and Jasper are the top two places in Alberta.
Thanks for the geography lesson...if I get lost in Albeta I'll be sure to call you for directions:)
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"I'd like to send him someplace he's always dreamt of visiting. That would be Alaska or northern Canada."
Hey...I'm just reading his post. What if he really does want to go up there? You all would have sent him to the wrong place.
When I post questions please don't interpret them...just answer the damn question.
:p
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Soon after his retirement my Dad took a guided float plane trip to some lake in the Northern Territories. He stayed on this deserted lake with his wife and an Indian guide. The guide provided the campsite, and was a gourmet cook. Anything they caught was turned into a meal right out of a five star restaurant.
Stayed a week and loved every minute of it.
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lol Curval
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Fly him to Anchorage, send him by train to Denali. He can see southern Alaska and about as far north in Alaska as most would want to go. He can also see the biggest F'in mountain in the world.
http://www.denali.national-park.com/
http://www.nps.gov/dena/
http://www.alaskarailroad.com/
http://www.alaska-alaska.info/alaskan-railroad/
http://www.alaska-alaska.info/alaskan-travel/
You could also fly him to Seattle, cruise ship or ferry to Anchorage, Train to Denali then fly home from Fairbanks. Of course, thats only if he's been a very very good Dad.
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Fly him to Calgery in June. Rent him a moter home for a month.Have him do a golf tour of western canada for a month...He could play a differnt course every day for the month and end up in Victoria..He would see the most beautifle part of the world. Get to enjoy his favorite game..
Or do what Curval wants and visit the artic circle for a month and watch the snow blow...
If you decide to do this and have any questions as to a route you might want to take...just ask...
rv rental (http://www.westcanadatours.com/motorhome/calgary.shtml)
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Originally posted by Pongo
Or do what Curval wants and visit the artic circle for a month and watch the snow blow...
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LOL...except it ain't about what I want to do. It's about what Cyrano's Dad wants to do, and from what I read in his post he wants to go to...no, he has a DREAM to go to NORTHERN Canada.
You all seem to want him to go to Southern Canada.
I understand your reasons. But let's just let the man go where he wants to go for heaven's sake.
I think Midnight has hit the nail on the head. Sounds like a life experience we should all be lucky enough to have.
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Does seem to be about you.
Having never been to canada..he asked for advice. Having been to northern, eastern, southern, and western canada..and met people from all over the world that have images of canada in their heads..I and every other canadain on this board are advising him to see the Rockies.
He also said this
"That's where you guys, hopefully, come in. The thing is that my father is of the adventurous kind, but my mother isn't, so I have to find this delicate balance where he can see as many interesting things there are to see over there, but at the same time finding nice, comfortable (I can't stress this enough) places to stay, and not making her walk long distances.
"
You seem to think your being clever. Your not. Your just being silly.If the gentleman is from spain. And we put him up anywhere in canada. He will think hes in the north take my word for it.
I just viewed the trailer for insomnia. If you would like to see that kind of terrrain. include the Prince Rupert BC in your tour. Northern canada looks nothing like that.
No matter what curval says.
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Wow, thanks for all the most informative replies guys! They are appreciated.
On the North/South discussion, well it seems that Banff, Alberta is a fine place, but from the looks of the resorts you suggested, it looks like a place to stay for a whole week, while the idea is to have them see as many things as possible.
The ideal situation would be to find a balance where my father could see all the things that make those northern territories worth visiting but allowing for a certain level of civilization that would make my mother comfortable.
Again, thanks for all the help!
[EDIT]Just read Pongo's reply. From what I saw in the trailer (opening sequence) there were plenty of ice formations on the water, that's why I thought that the place was quite up north, but I could definitely be wrong. You see, the most northern place I have been in america was Wisconsin Rapids, so the places pictured in the movie or the imax features about Canada could be 5 mins from the US border for all I know :)[/EDIT]
Daniel
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Cyrano,
One option you have not been informed about in Canada is Newfoundland and Labrador.
Of course Pongo and the other western Canadians are determined to send your Dad golfing (Spain has some excellent courses btw) and to places that are indeed beautiful but for some truly breathtaking scenery, that would better represent the Norweigan type coastal areas as seen in this film (that I haven't seen) you might want to check it out.
It has the added advantage of being significantly closer to you and could be a more economical trip...if that is important.
Tourism info (http://www.gov.nf.ca/tourism/welcome/default.htm)
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Ah, and thats where the train ride comes in. Its a loooong ride with plenty of stops. And Ice features? Hehe, Denali is one BIG ice feature ALL year round! :D
(I was born and raised in AK, so I'm a tad biased like Pongo is about Canada)
Remember, its the BIGGEST mountain in the world. No kiddin, from base to peak its the biggest. Its just not the highest. And for a bonus, its surrounded by a Huge park.
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Well I'm not one to argue with an "islander" like Curval:)
I have never been to Alaska, and never been to Newfoundland so I can't and won't comment on them. I read your post and I immediately thought of two places where I have been in my home province and know a hell of a lot about. I go there every year and it is still exciting and I find new things to see and do.
On the RV idea. Some Scottish relatives of mine flew from Heathrow to Vancouver, BC and did a tour of BC. They loved it and were amazed by the scenery.
Honestly, you can't go wrong sending your folks to the Rockies so BC and Alaska are both good choices. As for finding a place where mom can be comfortable and dad can be adventurous that is hard. Once again I will plug the Jasper - Banff idea.
Your folks can fly into Calgary and rent a car, and drive about 2 hours to Banff. Stay in any number of nice hotels that are close to shopping (for mom) and dad can hike, horseback rides, fish, canoe, kayak, golf, whitewater raft, etc.
After a day or two when dad gets bored they pack the car and head north to Jasper National Park. Trust me their jaws will drop as they round every corner. They can stop and visit the
Columbia Ice Fields (http://www.mtrobson.com/html/ice_fields.html)
http://sca.uwaterloo.ca/~praetzel/BC-trip2/Columbia-Ice.html
There are several nice hotels in Jasper and shopping etc. They can ride the tram to the top of Whistler Mountain and see this (http://www.buygold.net/tripusa2000/jasper/jasper04.html) (Jasper Prak lodge is on the right where the 3 little lakes are) And there are all kinds of thinngs that would take too long to list here. After they are bored they can drive to Vancouver, which will take about 9-10 hours driving straight through or 3 or more days if they are stopping to see some beautiful country.
I could go on and on, but I won't. All I can say is Canada is huge and driving distances are long. From Banff to Vancouver is probably 8 - 10 hours. You father can't see everything in a week or two without killing your mother.
The other idea I like in this thread is the train tour of Alaska. I would love to do that.
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Cyrano, Sounds like your ideas are firming up..how long would this trip be?
Movies can be tricky things. They piece them togther alot from differnt locations. The glacier in the ocean scene may well have been from farther north then Prince George. But the rest of those shots looked like any west coast rain forest.
If you want specifically to see terrain like those glaciers. Do an Alaska cruise from Vancouver or Seattle..thats the only real way to see that properly I would think.
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FYI, Calgary was 5 degrees F warmer than Dallas yesterday, and that'll be 9 today.
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Ok after considering all possible alternatives and the opinions/ideas posted on this forum (thanks again), they will most probably going in July on a tour of SW Canada, including Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Whistler Mountain (I'm forgetting a couple of places in the way) and down to Vancouver and Victoria to go on a ferry to see the Orcas.
That way they'll see some variation in the landscape and it's all in first class hotels, so my mother won't complain (too much).
Thanks for the help guys, it is appreciated.
Daniel
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HAHAHA! Canada wins the Cyrano contract!! You're going down US! CA-NA-DA! CA-NA-DA!! :D
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I spent the first 29 years of my life in Alaska, and have lived in about 10 different Alaskan cities including South East, Anchorage, Matanuska Valley, and Central Alaska. Even though I've been "all around" Alaska, I've really only seen a tiny bit of it. (I still go back once a year.)
Admittedly Canada and Alaska are very similar to each other, the one big thing that Alaska has as an advantage is coastline (Western Canada got ripped on that deal!).
I think that you can see a lot more variety of landforms in less time in Alaska. From Anchorage, take the train to Denali Natl. Park, even if the mountain is clouded in (90% chance) you'll see more big wildlife in one day than most folks see in a lifetime.
Also go to Homer or Seward, send mom shopping and send dad out on a charter boat. Good chance he'll land a 50 - 100+ # halibit. Perhaps make one leg of their trip up or down the inside passage, they'll see tons of glaciers and probably see some whales, dolfins, otters, etc. Somewhere along the way send them up in a floatplane so that they can see the land and wildlife from the air. All the small coast towns have flight seeing tours by floatplane. There are comfortable places to stay almost anywhere if you've got the money.
Send your folks to Alaska,
I've never met anyone who visited Alaska who wasn't blown away!
eskimo
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Ironically I saw Insomnia just last night.
You made the right choice Cyrano....eastern Canada won't give your folks what SW Canada can offer.
I bow to the wisdom of Pongo & skernsk.
Hope they have a great time.:)
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Originally posted by CyranoAH
Ok after considering all possible alternatives and the opinions/ideas posted on this forum (thanks again), they will most probably going in July on a tour of SW Canada, including Calgary, Banff, Jasper, Whistler Mountain (I'm forgetting a couple of places in the way) and down to Vancouver and Victoria to go on a ferry to see the Orcas.
That way they'll see some variation in the landscape and it's all in first class hotels, so my mother won't complain (too much).
Thanks for the help guys, it is appreciated.
Daniel
Its a special piece of the world. Dont forget the golf thing.....Lots of great courses on that treck.
I have been living at the end of that trip(Victoria) for 18 years and spent my first 18 years near the begining of it.(Golden,100 miles west of Banff.) Make sure dad does 18 holes of golf in Golden and take the Gondola to the top of the mountain for lunch...
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How about north of washington? Vancouver area?
Where do people go up there to get away?
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Liz there was only one thing wrong with Denali, took up most of our radar coverage in the norhteastern quadrent. Was at a site near McGrath. Some of the Pics on a clear day are unreal as visibility was 100 plus miles on some days, also got some pics optical illusions due to the crystallian features of the atmosphere at times. Those were the best times for good aurora borealis, with short daylight hours getting close to the winter solstice.
Krotki, United we stand
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For the sun to never set, the location must be above the 23 1/2 degree latitude. To be above that circle you would not have the greenery seen in Insomnia. Also the sun does not rise and set..it travels alone a line above the horizon, gettinig lower and lower or higher and higher each day. It takes 6 months to set. You could see the shadows and sunlight wax and wane during the scenes.
HC
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Originally posted by Kanth
How about north of washington? Vancouver area?
Where do people go up there to get away?
Well I live in Victoria..which is actually somewhat west of Washington being south of the 49th. People come here to get away.
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huh, it looks as tho there maybe a ferrie from port angeles.
Are there resorts like what Jasper and Banff has there?
I will look it up on the internet but any time saved by someone who knows the area, would be appreciated :)
The only time I've been to Canada was the '86 Exposition and I don't remember too much except that there was far too much to see!
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Get him an oriental hooker.
:D