Canada

The northwest of the USA and southwest of Canada are full of magnificent sceneries. The Icefield Parkway between Jasper and Banff is the most beautiful mountain road of the world. Every corner reveals photogenic motives of deep waterfalls, craggily mountains and coloured lakes. The scenery is more colourful than these photos could foretell.

Another highlights are the crossing of the Glacier National Park on the Going to the Sun Drive, the plain green prairies of Montana and finally the Yellowstone NP with its geysers, waterfalls, woods, sinter terraces and animals (bison, bear, coyote, moose and more )

Highlights: Map

Vancouver	Wells Gray NP	Jasper NP	Icefield Parkway	Lakes	Banff NP	Kimberley/Fort Steel	Glacier NP
Western Towns	Yellowstone NP	Grand Teton NP	Craters of the Moon NP	John Day NP	Oregon Coast	Seattle

Go down to : useful information

Arrival	Airport Transfer	Transport	Accomodation	Health	Food	Alcohol
Shopping	Money	Language	Children	Traffic	Traffic Control	Telephone
Medias	Electricity	People	Photo/Films	Literature	Links	Mail/Help

Highlights

Canada

Vancouver:
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                                                                                    Stanley Park
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After landing in Seattle we went by rental car to Vancouver and did some shopping in one of the big US-supermarkets. It took us half a day, before we were arriving in Vancouver. Crossing the border was no problem.
In Vancouver Stanley Park and the small pub quarter Gastown were the most interesting quarters .Gastown is named after the English seaman "Gassie" Jack Deighton who opens there a pub first. A bronze memorial of him is situated in the middle of the quarter, nearby you can watch a steam clock, that honked every quarter of an hour. More exotic was Chinatown , some minutes walk away. Modern architecture is exhibited at the Expo-Area. You can walk all this sights in half an hour distance. Vancouver is a pretty town, but overrated. It might be relaxing to stay longer. Accommodation is not cheap in Vancouver, so we stayed only for two nights. The photo left was taken from the ferry stop at the opposite shore.
We were driving along the Trans Canadian Highway from Hope to Cache Creek and Kamloops. We made a walk through old rail tunnels, but this was not very interesting. We skipped "Hells Gate" a bottleneck ravine of Frasier River with a pricey funicular to the riverbed, because it was not salmon season.

Wells Gray Provincial Park
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                                 Wells Gray Provincial Park                    Dawson Falls                Hummingbirds                Helmcken Falls
A nice starting impression of Canadian wilderness is Wells Gray Park on the route to Jasper NP. The conifer forest has two great waterfalls, the Dawson Falls and the Helmcken Falls. There are some pretty lakes, but water was too cold for swimming. At the beginning of the park was a romantic blockhouse accommodation, where we you could watch hummingbirds from our terrace. back to top

Jasper NP

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                             Edith Cavell Glacier                        Pyramid Lake (bottom up)                     Maligne Lake

Jasper NP is a good starting-point to get to know the Rocky Mountain area. At first we were impressed of Mt.Robson, the highest mountain of the Canadian Rockies (only Mt. Kinley in Alaska is higher). There is starting a hiking trail at the visitor center, that goes around Mt.Robson in three days, take a tent with you. In Jasper we found a private room, look at the signs. Arrive early, Rooms are soon booked in summer. Don´t miss a trip to Edith Cavell Glacier or Maligne Lake (50 km). Just around the corner are Patricia Lake and Pyramid Lake. You must get up very early to photograph the mirroring of the scenery on the surface of the lake.
There are a lot of hiking trails in this area. An excellent survey with maps and photos is the book "Classic Hikes in the Canadian Forest" by Graeme Pole (19,95 $-Canadian 1997) ISBN 1-55153-701-X available in souvenir shops there.

Icefield Parkway

The Icefield Parkway runs from Jasper to Banff. It is actually entitled as the most beautiful mountain road of the world. Visit Athabasca Falls, the glacier Columbia Icefield, Bow Lake and other lakes along the road. I shot six slight films in one sunny day. Nature was even more colourful as the postcards display.
...        .... Bow Lake Lake Louise

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Banff NP
Banff NP is as interesting as Jasper NP. The town Banff is very touristy, full of trashy things. If you are rich, you can stay at Banff Spring Hotel, but the view at the hotel alone is worth a look. Near Banff are "hoodoos", sand sculptures formed by erosion.
We stayed at the new youth hostel at Lake Louise. It was a bed in a shared room, but prices there were affordable. The restaurant of the Youth hostel was great. From Lake Louise you can do some gorgeous hikes. A nice day hike is to Lake Agnes and return.

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                                                                    Emerald Lake                        Painted Pots

Kimberley (Bavarian Trash)
Near the border of USA we found Kimberley. Traditional Bavarian or music from Mozart buzz from several Bavarian decorated restaurants and cafes; a big honking cuckoo clock with a Bavarian beer drinker is not missing. To that many nice painted fire hydrants.    The "Biggest Bavarian City" in Canada is so beautiful trashy, you shouldn´t miss.
Fort Steel nearby is a Western open-air-museum with rebuilt historic buildings ( saloon, pharmacy, shops, barber, courthouse. Interesting for Europeans!
   Fort Steel
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USA

Glacier NP (Going to the Sun Road)
The Going to the Sun Road climbs a pass and opens depending on the weather in June or July. The scenery is gorgeous, unfortunately the weather wasn´t fine when we passed the road. .
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Prairies of Montana
After two weeks of seeing mountains, lakes and waterfalls we enjoyed the flat, light green prairies of Montana. Streets are going straight ahead for many, many kilometers. You can see the horizon and you may understand why people in former times were thinking of the earth as a disk. This area is the landscape of the film "The Horse Whisperer" with Robert Redfort. On many entry boards of small villages the number of the inhabitants was presented, more than hundred were very much.

Prairies of Montana

Nevada and Virginia City (Western towns)

                                                                                    Virgina city
Two old restored Western towns . In this hotel you can stay overnight for a reasonable price.

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Yellowstone NP (Geyser, Waterfalls, Sinter terraces, forests and many animals (bears, bison, coyotes, moose)

.Black Bear    Moose.

The Yellowstone NP was one the top highlights of our trip. We saw very much in tow days. Many animals, for example bison, bears and a moose passed our way. We also saw geysers, sinter terraces and waterfalls.

   click on photo to enlarge!
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                                                    Yellowstone Fall                                            Geyser

Grand Teton NP
Grand Teton National Park looks like the Alps in Europe. Very nice, but for us it was not so spectacular as Jasper, Banff or Yellowstone National Park

Grand Teton NP
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Shoshone Falls (bigger as the Niagara Falls)
Back to the coast we made a side trip to the Shoshone Falls. They are bigger than the Niagara Falls, but not so impressive, as it would be worth a longer trip to see them.

Craters of the Moon NP
We went from the mountain, lake, forest areas at first through the green prairies of Montana and then crossed through desert like landscapes to the "Craters of the Moon NP". After having seen so many mountains, forests and waterfalls, the vastness of this landscape was very pleasant. In the "Crater of the Moon NP" you see congealed black lava from a volcano eruption as far as you can.

Crater of the Moon NP
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John Day NM   "Painted Hills"

                                                                                        painted hill
In returning to the coast we passed the John Day National Monument, some scattered sights in Oregon. We only visited the "Painted Hills"; these hills are formed of layers of red, yellow and ochre coloured volcano ashes.
Unfortunately we hadn´t enough time to pay a visit to Crater Lake National park, which is only a day drive nearby.
After Bend and Eugene the road climbs up through woods to Mc Kenzie-Pass (more than 3000 m). There was a volcano eruption some times ago, the lava landscape and died trunks of trees remained.

Oregon Ocean Drive

The "Ocean Drive" at the Oregon coast was not as beautiful as I was thinking before. But the reason was possibly the overwhelming scenery we saw before. "Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area" is similar to some dune landscapes in Europe, nothing special at all. The water is too cold for swimming.

Seattle
A typical and beautiful American big city. Stroll along "Pike Place Market" and around "Pioneer Square" with it´s pubs, cafés and antique shops. The Space Needle is the remaining emblem of the World Exhibition in 1962. You can ascend the "Needle" by an elevator, but the view is hardly worth the expensive fare. Stroll through the park and watch the children at the organ water-fountains.

Space Needle

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Route: click on map to enlarge

1. Week: Arrival in Seattle (Fr.) – Vancouver (Sa/Su)- CacheCr (Mo) -Wells Gray NP (Thu) – Jasper (Wed-Fr)

2. Week: Lake Louise (Sa-Mo) – Revelstoke- Banff – Kimberley – Whitefish (Thu)- Glacier NP-Helena (Wed)- Yellowstone NP (Thur-Fr)

3. Week: Grand Teton NP- Arco (Sa) -Craters of the Moon NP- Ontario (So), John Day NM – Eugene (Mo) – Oregon Dunes- Netarts (Thu) –
Seattle (Wed/Thur)

If we have had more time, we would have visited also: :

in Canada: Okanogan Lake, the Badlands east of Calgary,
in USA: NPs in Washington (Mount Rainier, Mount St Helen, Olympic NP),
Crater Lake NP in Oregon

If you have time of six weeks you can spend more time in North of Canada or you can go to San Francisco. But Southwest of USA alone is worth a visit of six weeks. .

Useful Information (Date 97): back to top

Arrival Airport Transfer Transport Accommodation Health Food Alcohol

Shopping Money Language Children Traffic Traffic Patrol Telephone

Medias Electricity People Photo/Films Literature

Arrival:
EU citizens need only a valid passport. It is not allowed to bring food into the States or Canada. Passing the border from US to Canada was no problem. You are normally allowed to go with a US-rental car to Canada, but ask your company first. Under all circumstances do not answer the question about former contact with drugs with "Yes", even if you are from the Netherlands. Diabetics with syringes should carry a prescription of their physician.

Transfer from Airport
Follow the signs to your rental car company.

Transport (Rental Camper Van or Rental Car?)

Motel in Kaml
click on photo to enlarge

It is difficult going by bus and train to the magnificent National Parks in US and Canada. The best option is renting a car or a mobile home (camper van).
It is cheaper to rent a car from your country. Minimum age for the driver is 21 years. A credit card for security could be required. An additional fee for each driver is charged. Usually CDW is included, when you fetch your car, the company will offer you some additional insurance, that is comparable expensive and has doubtfull necessity. It is easier to refuel the car before giving it back, than to give back the car with empty fuel. Therefore don´t buy the first fuel.

A camper van is a good idea for travelling, but it is expensive. Motels are everywhere available at 50 Dollars. A motel is more comfortable and a car is easier to drive than a camper van.

Accommodation
Motels are situated at the outgoing roads of the towns. You pay per room and not per person. Additional persons are normally only charged with a small fee of five dollars. Children are free, US and Canada are child loving countries. Breakfast is in Motels not included but often you get free tea or coffee at the reception desk.
A cheap motel chain is "Motel 6". You get there a small booklet of all Motel 6 in US for reservation and directions.

Coupon booklets

At Mc Donalds, Burger King you find "coupon books". Showing the coupons you get a considerable discount such as 49,95 dollars instead of 85 dollars.
Links:

www.roomsaver.com you can print coupons
www.AttractionSaver.com Rabatte für Attraktionen
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Health:
Medicine in North America is high tech, but doctor´s fee could be horrendous. A foreign country insurance is very recommendable. There are no other health provisions necessary for Northern America..
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Food:
Near your motel you will find for sure some Mc Donalds, Taco Bells or other snack bar for breakfast. Mc Donalds has better value in the US than in Europe. You can also buy food in big supermarkets. Don´t forget cutlery. It is a European cut and dried opinion, in Northern America there is primarily fast food. A lot of good restaurants offer meals of all kind and origin to adequate prices.
Beverage in restaurants is cheap, often you pay one coffee or coke and get your glass refilled. Due to taxes alcoholics are relatively expensive.
The bill is usually brought during dining. You pay at the cash desk and leave a generous tip to the waiter. Contrary to Europe Service is not included, the waiter are paid only by tips of the customers.
In restaurants meals often are large. "Doggie bags" are special small containers for taking the remaining meal home. Don't bother to use this service, you could enjoy your meal also the next day.

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Alcohol:
You can buy alcohol (even beer and wine) in Canada and in some US-States only in liquor shops. American / Canadian beer has less alcohol than German beer. Drinking alcohol on public places is forbidden, as well as deposit it open in vehicles. Drinking at beaches or nude bathing is in America not a peccadillo, you might face jail or considerable fines.

Shopping:
here are no general opening hours of shops. Big shopping malls are mostly located at the outskirts of towns. Big food stores have an huge assortement and food there is nice displayed. Buy and try "root beer", but only a small bottle. It taste like chewing gum. American city centers normally don´t have a shopping center like in Europe.

Money:
Credit cards are often but not everywhere accepted. Traveller checks in Dollar are often accepted like cash in supermarkets, motels etc. You get change cash in return.

Language:
Knowledge of foreign Languages is seldom. But people don´t expect perfect English and are very helpful, even if you speak with hand and feet.

Children:
Children are welcome. There is no or only a small extra charge for children, if they stay in the room with their parents.

National Parks (US):
Admission fee of 5 to 20 Dollars per car is paid at the entrance. You get a leaflet with some basic informations and a map about roundtrip, visitor center and viewpoints. Admission is mostly valid for one week. You should consider buying the Golden Eagle Pass; that gives you free admission for one year for the most of the parks.
There is enough car park at the viewpoints and very clean restrooms is present for free use.
Follow the warnings in the parks. All years lethal accidents with bears happen.

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Traffic Rules:
Driving is at the right side. It is very relaxing to drive in Canada or US. Defensive and considerate driving is usual. Traffic signs are not very different from Europe.
Speed limits :
USA: 25-30 m/ph in town, 55 m/ph out of towns and 65 m/ph on highways; there are some different speed limits in several US-States; sometimes there are regulations for snow, rain and night. Canada: 50 km/h in town, 80-100 km/h out of towns.
Fines are very draconian; therefore people usually abide speed limits.
Different regulations
There are some different regulations from Europe (Germany)
- driving faster on the right lane than on the left lane is allowed , but not for the only purpose of passing
- there are four way stops primarily in resident quarters, you have to stop and who comes first, drives first
- school busses with going flashing light are not allowed to pass
- you can turn right a red traffic light, but have to yield the right-of-way
- pushing and estop others from threading I never have seen.
- tranporting alcoholics only allowed in the car-boot.
Alcohol
- I think 0.5 per mille, but I am not certain. Don´t drink and drive!

Traffic Patrol :
If a police patrol car wants you stopping, it doesn´t pass your car, but follows you in a short distance. You have to stop at least, when the police car applies shortly siren and red flashing lights. Police officers fear people with guns. You have to stay in the car, put your hand on the steering wheel, wait to the instructions and avoid any unsuspected movements. Apart that police is very friendly.

Telephone:
At gas stations telephone cards are sold for 5 dollars. You have to dial the company No. printed on the card. After being asked the code nummer on the card and dialing it, you can dial your number. Phoning from the hotel is very, very expensive (some dollars/min), even if you don't get a connection.
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Media:
American newspapers report mostly nothing about Europe, especially if America isn´t involved. American Free-TV is very boring and can´t stand European standard, if you don´t buy Pay-TV. Radio means local broadcasting with a very low range. In rural areas you might get no radio reception.

Electricity/Voltage:
110 Volt and different plugs. Buy an adapter at home.

Films/Photos:
Films are more expensive than in Europe. Slights are very expensive and rarely sold. Calculate with many, many photogenic motives.

Literature :
Travel Guides
Lonely planet: Canada, not as good as LP from Asia, little information about the Canadian Rocky Mountains,
Rough Guide: Canada,
Trail Guide "Classic Hikes in the Canadian Forest" by Graeme Pole 19,95 Canadian$ ISBN 1-55153-701-X

Links:
http://www.worldweb.com/parkscanada-jasper
http://www.worldweb.com/parkscanada-banff
http://www.worldweb.com/parkscanada-yoho

Feedback, corrections, news, critics, links and suggestions are welcome !!
mail me:
kambodschajoe@hotmail.com

Excuse my English, thanks!
If you translate part of my homepage in correct English, Spanish or other language, I could translate part of your English or Spanish written homepage in German!
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