CANADIAN ROCKIES AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Day 1: Our first day out will be driving north and west as we enjoy getting acquainted with our traveling friends. Put your personal items away in your overhead compartments and sit back and relax as our driver finds the way to our overnight accommodations in Cheyenne, WY. 

Day 2: Today as we travel through Wyoming, we will begin to enjoy the Rockies. Early evening will find us in the old west town of Jackson, WY, where we can enjoy reliving the old west before retiring for the night. 

Day 3: Rising before us this morning will be the majestic Tetons. This scenic route demands picture stops as it takes us through the Teton National Park with its towering peaks. We should be into the nation’s first National Park, Yellowstone, by noon to enjoy the area of the world’s largest thermal basin, which includes Old Faithful. Exiting the park on the west by midafternoon, we’ll push on to the Three Forks, MT area for the night. 

Day 4: Some of the most outstanding mountain scenery in the U.S. is found in Northwest Montana, where we will spend some time today. Glacier National Park has many glaciers as remains of the last ice age. Even though the glaciers are not visible from the roads on which we can drive in the park, they have left some of the most awesome scenery. Soon after leaving the park, we will cross into Canada, so be sure to have your passport for proof of citizenship. We will overnight in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada. 

Day 5: We will have an EARLY morning start today viewing the scenic grandeur of some of the Canadian Rockies as they come into view. Midmorning we will arrive in Calgary to tour its pride and joy, the Olympic Park, site of the Olympic Winter Games. This entertaining and informative tour takes you to the bob sled track and the spectacular ski jump tower. Then it is on to Banff. In the midst of the wild mountain landscape, this town has become an internationally renowned cultural center. Its past is preserved in museums and historic sites. We will spend the afternoon and evening exploring this quaint mountain resort. We will visit the Banff Springs Hotel. This great stone structure is more than a century old and is the landmark most often associated with Banff. Its corridors house more than 50 exclusive shops. Overnight in Banff. 

Day 6: Our first stop this morning will be at beautiful Lake Louise where its cold waters are a natural mirror reflecting the nearby mountains and glacier. An absolutely picturesque spot. Have your camera ready. As we continue north through Banff National Park, we will take time for some picture stops because the scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The snow capped mountain ranges and lakes of exquisite blues and greens come into view as we scale two mountain passes. We will soon be in Jasper National Park. Mid-afternoon, we will board a snow-coach (weather permitting) for a three-mile ride across Athabasca Glacier, a rare experience. After a full day of scenic wonders we will retire in the Jasper area.

 Day 7: Get your cameras ready, because today is a sightseer’s and photographer’s paradise as we cross into British Columbia and continue to Mt. Robson lookout. Mt. Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Our scenic drive will take us along the Frazer River as we proceed south through the Columbia Mountains into Kamloops, British Columbia, for the night. 

Day 8:We will be following the Trans-Canada Highway this morning, as we continue south and west, following the route used by the gold stampede miners during the 1860’s. Lunch will be enjoyed at a scenic spot overlooking the Fraser Canyon at Hells Gate. Those who care to can take a smooth 500 ft. memorable descent by air tram across the Fraser River into the village below nestled among the floral gardens. Our afternoon break will be taken at Chilliwack, B.C. at the lush Minter Gardens with over 27 acres of blooms and floral sculptures, truly a work of living art. By late afternoon, we will arrive in the Vancouver, B.C. area where we will spend the next three nights. 

Day 9: Our first day in Vancouver will be with a step-on guide for a city tour. We will learn about Gastown, see Chinatown and Stanley Park. The afternoon will be at the Vancouver Public Aquarium where you will enjoy the sea lions, otters, whales, octopus, and all kinds of smaller species. Their award winning galleries show you the real life adventure of the world below. One more attraction before we retire for the evening and that is the Capilano Bridge. Then it’s back to the same motel. 

Day 10: We board an EARLY morning ferry for our ride to British Columbia’s Victorian capital, appropriately named Victoria. We’ll see why they call this “A little bit of England” in the New World. You’ll be enchanted at the world famous Butchart Gardens with the colorful, beautifully tended gardens. From the exquisite Sunken Garden to the charming English Rose Garden, this 50-acre showplace still maintains the gracious traditions of the past in one of the loveliest corners of the world. Then it’s downtown for a city tour, after which you will have some free time to explore, on your own, the downtown area which might include the luxurious Empress Hotel, a Wax Museum or Miniature World, The Royal B.C. Museum, or just visit the shops in the area. The ferry will again bring us back to Vancouver for a late arrival at our motel for our last night in the Vancouver area. 

Day 11: After arriving in Seattle late-morning, we will visit the Pike Place Market which is the oldest continually-operating farmers’ market in the U.S. It’s a food lover’s and shopper’s paradise. It’s a colorful and bustling community-initself where old fashioned charm and tradition have thrived for over 75 years. We will then enjoy an informative tour of the Seattle Harbor and the Locks. This 2-hour cruise through the locks will take us from salt water to fresh water in the Lake Washington Ship Canal. In the evening we will visit the Space Needle overlooking Seattle and the surrounding area. Overnight in the Seattle area. 

Day 12: Today, we bid Seattle goodbye and look for some more spectacular scenery as we visit Mt. Rainer National Park. Along the way we will take some time for picture stops. Weather permitting; we will view this majestic 14,410-foot peak that the locals affectionately call “The Mountain.” We will overnight in Pendleton, OR. 

Day 13:This morning we will be following the Oregon Trail. Imagine yourself on that trail so many years ago in this desolate country. We will have a most interesting stop at the National Oregon Trail Interpretive Center which makes us feel as if we are actually on the Oregon Trail with them. Then it’s into Twin Falls, Idaho for the night. 

Day 14: A short stop about noon will be at the Great Salt Lake. After lunch, we will visit the Mormon Temple Square and the Tabernacle. Then it’s on to the capital building for a picture stop and to enjoy the scenic view across the valley with the salt basin in front of us and the mountains behind us. A beautiful drive, late afternoon, will take us to Price, UT where we will overnight. 

Day 15: The Canadian Rockies are magnificent but nothing beats the familiar. We will enjoy our own Colorado Rockies as we travel through the scenic Glenwood Canyon and enjoy scenic Colorado taking I-70 from west to east getting into Denver area for the evening. 

Day 16: As our motorcoach carries us home we will enjoy visiting and sharing memories with our fellow travelers about all the things we have enjoyed the past 16 days. Thanks for making his a memorable tour for all.