And because I got carried away and I don’t want

to miss anything on this trip, this post

will be published in a series of three articles.

I hope you have the time of day

as this is a long read.

A State of Gratefulness

[Second of a Series]

LESSONS FROM A CAMP

          And there’s no stopping the awesomeness of Alberta — am I gushing too much? — because it also has Waterton, a mountain town with another national park with lakes and pine-clad forests and a really cold but, when properly clothed (balot na balot in the vernacular),  comfortable weather.

          Available literature says the lakes of Waterton have been carved out of the Canadian Rockies by ancient glaciers. It boasts of three distinctions: a UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] World Heritage Site — just like my beloved Vigan in Ilocos Sur — as well as an International Peace Park, and a Biosphere Reserve. It borders the Glacier National Park in Montana, United States.

          This was the perfect venue for a camping trip on our first weekend. We were joined by Joel and Faith; and JR with daughters Snow and Star.

          On this trip, we awoke at dawn and started for the road which in itself was an exhilarating experience. Finally, I saw up close the big yellow blanket of canola fields vaguely visible from Nose Hill Park and we chanced upon a row of imposing windmills which proved perfect for our photo ops. Of course, the ever-present mountain view was fantastic.

          Failing to reserve for a campsite proved to be a blessing in disguise as we had the chance to survey the place and discover that there isn’t a part in the park that isn’t worth visiting.

          We stopped by Cameron Falls which — let me quote from the Glenbow Archives — “cascades over ancient dolomitic rocks … sediments which became these rocks were deposited over 1,500 million years ago, when only the simplest forms of life existed (e.g. bacteria and algae).”

          We posed beside it and lingered for a while, with the sound of water rushing down from the mountains relaxing us in between searching for a campsite. Summer does this to camps, Pee Ann tells us, they become really filled up, if not crowded.

          We also chanced upon Linnet Lake where the view was stunning and perfect for picture-taking. A couple of colorful chairs likewise inspired us to pose some more …

          Finally, we settled at Crandell Mountain Campground and it was our home for about 24 hours. We were  away from the madding crowd, disconnected from cyberspace, and we were freezing cold.

          While it was a bit challenging at first, we managed to feel at home among the pine trees and the nippy cold air and the fact that we had to negotiate a trail — with the threat of encountering a bear … which I wouldn’t mind really as long as I have company — just to get to a toilet.

          We didn’t see a bear — although we were hoping to see one — but we did see a couple of mountain deer.

          Personally, I feel I developed a special bond with my camp companions as we co-existed, communed with nature, and shared the cold air with only ourselves  providing warmth to each other.

          There was something about setting up the tents, preparing the fire pit to cook or grill our meals that made me closer to them. And us gathering around the fire pit to roast marshmallows — with me all bundled up, it was bbbrrrrrrr cold! — and talking about nothing or making small talk and not really sharing any secrets are some of my treasured moments in this Canadian trip.

          The following day, we hiked along the trails and found Crandell Lake and it was refreshing to just sit by the rocks, make pyramids of stones (some of which I wanted to bring home), throw pebbles in the water, with me managing to just dip my feet in it because it was very cold, and simply take in the clean mountain air. The body of water was very relaxing, seemingly telling us, "be calm, go with the flow ..."

          On our way home, we dropped by the Prince of Wales Hotel, a most strikingly beautiful hotel with floor to ceiling windows and cozy overstuffed couches in its lobby that looks out to a spectacular view of Waterton Lake. I lounged in what looks like a divan, another of those I want to take home because it  would be perfect in our TV area.

          A one-pager says the hotel is “a grand survivor from the golden age of railway resort development in Canada. Constructed in 1926-1927, it was the sole Canadian link in a chain of resort hotels developed by the Great Northern Railway.”

          It adds that, “the hotel’s striking design and dramatic setting make it a unique landmark closely associated with the history of Waterton Lakes National Park.”

          The brisk wind sort of made our picture-taking at the hotel’s lawn quite challenging but we enjoyed every minute of it. The view there is just as stunning.

ROCKIN’ THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

          And looks like I will continue to use the word awesome because I will now talk to you about our close encounter with the Canadian Rockies. In its signage, it says,  “Experience the true meaning of awesome,” and  “Stand where the eagles soar.”

          There was truth in their advertising and we experienced the ultimate awesome and soared with eagles as we visited the Columbia Icefield and the adjoining Glacier Skywalk. The family of Conrad and Lea were with us on this adventure.

          Interpretive signs say the Columbia Icefield [Glacier Discovery Centre] is the largest ice field in the Rocky Mountains of North America. Located in the Canadian Rockies along the border of British Columbia and Alberta, it lies in the northwestern tip of Banff National Park and partly in the southern end of Jasper National Park.

          For this adventure, we were suited up and practically swathed in layers of thick sweaters with hoodies and foot socks on snow boots. Pee Ann said this was needed so that we can be comfortable and appreciate the ice field.

          The ice field adventure starts with a thrilling ride on a big Ice Explorer — with those taller-than-me tires — on the way to the surface of the Athabasca Glacier. Equally thrilling is the fact that such big bus is driven by young fragile-looking girls, who talk funny — one of them is Sandra [but I am not sure if she’s the one with me in photo below] and another one whose name escapes me now.

          Along the way, they give interesting stories about the age of the pine trees around; the effect of the katabatic wind on them [Sandra says the wind dries up the trees thus the brown color on some of them]; the colorful rocks around the glacier with lichen on them that gives their orange color; the occasional presence of some animals like coyotes, big horn sheep, mountain goat, little furred animals like marmots and chipmunks and their impact on the environment.

          Listen to their talk as they drive us to the ice field:

          Unnamed Girl: “I hope guys you’re not too attached to me, this is the end of our trip together. Don’t forget anything on this bus or you’ll find it on e-bay tomorrow morning; please bring garbage and promise me one thing before you get out of my bus, just have fun on the glacier, not everyday that we have a chance to do so.”

          Sandra: As she drives the big bus in the downhill steep ride towards the ice field, she says: “Not to worry, I’ve done this before, and if you’re scared, just do what I do, close your eyes.”

          And at the end of the ride, she gives some quick tips: “Enjoy your 45 minutes in the ice field and the closest rescue team is two hours away from here, so we don’t recommend you falling in the glaciers and the best way to do that is to stay within the boundary set with a red ribbon for your own safety … there’s a stream of glacier water for drinking and hope you brought some bottles to collect them.”

          Walking on ice was indeed fun and just like Elsa in that blockbuster movie Frozen, the cold never bothered me. As usual, taking photos was even more exciting and the view was breathtaking made glorious by the white snowy background. The bright sun made the ice glisten, adding more beauty to the surroundings.

          The grand finale to this experience is a stroll along nearby Glacier Skywalk, located at the edge of a  cliff that leads to a glass floor that separates you from a 918-foot drop. The one-kilometer stroll made me really noisy both due to fear and excitement.  As expected, the view was spectacular with waterfalls and more pine trees and mountains and lakes.

         

VANCOUVER VIGNETTES

          In visiting Vancouver, I continued to conquer my fear of heights — complete with shrieks and noise. And I’m sure this was also true for Mike and Grace, minus the shrieks and the noise.

          What I had to conquer this time was another suspension bridge and it was at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.  What I have experienced at the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, the Calgary Tower and the Glacier Skywalk still didn’t prepare me for this one. Crossing it — despite being with a lot of people, aside from my travel companions — still gave me the fears but coupled with the thrills.

         

          Anyway, the Capilano Suspension Bridge is a simple yet swinging bridge crossing the Capilano River in the district of North Vancouver. An interpretive sign at the entrance says it is 450 feet long and 230 feet above the river, meaning “it’s just about as long as two Boeing 747 airplanes wingtip-to-wingtip … and it’s just as aerodynamic!”

          The rest of the sign says: “It is suspended by two thick steel cables, which together can hold more than 90,000 kilos and sustain the weight of over 1,300 people standing on it at the same time. You could parade 96 elephants across the bridge at the same time, no problem. At least it wouldn’t be a problem for the bridge. (Good luck with the elephants!)”

          The park had other features like the Treetops Adventure which gives a fair warning at its entrance, Attention: Extreme Nature Ahead.

          This was another thrilling walk through elevated suspension bridges which were connected to “eight magnificent 250-year old Douglas Fir trees … with some as high as 100 feet from the forest floor.”

          It was an interesting adventure with all those trees that have lived more than a thousand years. There was Grandma Capilano which is over 1,300 years of age, the oldest in the said forest. And I gave her a hug.

          “It has survived hurricane force winds, ice storms and fires,” says the interpretive sign beside it.

          The park is also home to North America’s largest private collection of First Nations totem poles, period decor and costumes.

         

          Since we visited during summer, we met some birds from Raptors Ridge Birds of Prey, a place in Canada that train and rehabilitate raptors. The park is where they “relax” during the warm season.

          Available literature says, “a raptor is a predatory bird that has eight razor sharp talons and a long hooked beak that’s used for tearing (often referred to as ‘knife and fork’). In British Columbia, we have 14-16 species of owls, eagles, falcons, hawks, vultures, and osprey.” 

          Of course, there were more exciting and beautiful places to explore outside the park, which is dubbed one of Vancouver’s top tourist attractions.

          Some of the stars of ASAP, ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show, likewise tried this exciting adventure after their Star Magic @ 25 Grand Celebration Show at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver last April 9th. [Photo: Screen shot from starmagicphils’ Instagram]

          We stayed at River Rock Casino Resort & Hotel that overlooks a marina and it is near the Bridgeport SkyTrain station — their version of the MRT and LRT, only better and less congested. We tried riding it just to have a feel of what it’s like to commute in this part of British Columbia, known as Hollywood North, due to the fact that it continues to be used as a location for many American films and television shows, notably my favorite series The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl.

          Anyway, the casino hotel has a unique indoor pool with salt water and a winding slide. Its  bar is named after me — Lulu’s Lounge — and this was where we met up with my daughters’ childhood friend John Paul, whom they haven’t seen in ages. John Paul’s brother, Allan, facilitated our hotel booking.

          Other highlights of this seaport visit include a day at the VanDussen Botanical Garden. We enjoyed the colors and scents of a rose garden,  marvelled at those huge trees — I even hugged one — and its wide assortment of flowers, some ponds with water lilies, a waterfall, and a couple of sculptures and themed gardens, including Korean and Japanese. It was also a perfect backdrop for our group jump shot done at its great lawn.

          We likewise negotiated a magical maze [planted in 1981 with 3,000 pyramidal cedars] among tall shrubs and went around Cascadia Garden with its beautiful native plants, some of which attract birds, bees, butterflies and other beneficial wildlife.

          Before strolling around VanDusen, we had lunch at the garden’s restaurant, Shaughnessy Restaurant.

          Going downtown, we visited Vancouver’s attractions —

          . The Gastown Steam Clock, a working steam clock, one of only a few in the world. We had pictures with it but we didn’t get to see it whistle and shoot steam from its five whistles in its version of the Westminster Chime. According to a marker beside it, it does that every quarter hour and it marks each hour with a toot from each whistle. It further says this is the world’s first steam-powered clock and it was designed and built by horologist  Raymond L. Saunders.

          . Steveston Village: This place offers a great view of the waterfront. It is lined with restaurants — we dined in one called Blue Canoe — and other establishments.

          Being near the sea, it was really very cold but the restaurant provides wool blankets. It was my first time to see the Canadian sunset — at almost nine o’clock in the evening!

HUMAN SIGHTINGS

          More than Vancouver’s fantastic views and modern ambience is meeting up with old friends who have long settled here.

          Aside from John Paul, my daughters’ childhood friend, we got together with some friends from F. Jacinto Group, specifically Lucille and husband Henry; and Jeff.

          I met Lucille in the early 1980s when she joined the Group as Executive Secretary to the President. My daughters came to know her when they would tag along with me to the office or during family events sponsored by the Group. When Lucille settled in Canada, she maintained contact through my daughters on Facebook.

          Jeff joined one of the companies of F. Jacinto Group — Mindanao Steel Corporation — sometime in the 1990s. He played basketball for his company’s team and we got close through common friends, particularly Roanne.

          Much earlier, Richard bumped into Marie, also of F. Jacinto Group — Jacinto Marketing & Trading Corporation — at the Vancouver International Airport. With the last leg of our flight to Calgary delayed, we had time to catch up with her.

          I also got together with high school friends, Cynthia and Pinky, and we spent a night of reminiscing and catching up in between drinks at the hotel’s Lulu’s Lounge.

          We also met Ghiselle’s friends, Tysa and her fiancé Gordon, and Des, both based in Vancouver.

          It was heartwarming to see all of them in what seems like ages. I’m happy that they are all doing good with their respective careers and their families.

          Just like that camping memory at Waterton, these meetings with friends are up there in my top memories while in Canada.

[To be continued]