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Mystical Journeys - Canadian Rockies |
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> > CANADIAN ROCKIES |
 I took my first trip out of the country when I was in my late teens. Mom had always longed to travel and although we'd taken one major vacation before, she'd been planning, plotting, and saving for a trip that the brochures promised to be breathtaking. We flew a long route from Washington D.C. to Calgary and spent the night in a hotel. All I can remember is that it was quite fancy with beautiful crystal chandeliers and an elegant carpet. I was too tired to even remember the rooms.
 The next day we hopped on a bus with the tour group. I was happy to notice one other family with kids my age. The rest of the group looked like well-seasoned travelers. We were bussed through Banff and into a large meadow where the tour director instructed us on how to safely board the helicopter that would take us to our lodge high up in the mountains.
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 We ducked as we were told, held on to our hats and hurried aboard the chopper. What a thrill! I loved flying (still do) and couldn't get enough of the view above the pines and the sharp mountain ridges that we were crossing over.
The helicopter dropped us off right in front of the Bobbie Burns lodge where we went through a quick orientation, and then gathered up our gear. I still remember how extremely comfortable the hiking boots felt (like slippers) and how excited I was to be getting a "Free" backpack.... well free to me! How odd to have rooms without locks, I remember. This was not the city!
 I don't remember the exact order of our days, but I do know we managed to pack quite a lot of adventure into that week. Each morning we joined a small group and a guide, and then hopped aboard the helicopter, destined for adventure. On our first day we were dropped off by a mountain lake and hiked up hills covered in knee-deep grasses and wildflowers that rivaled the ones in the "Sound of Music." Like Maria, I wanted to burst into song, but being a teen, that would have been definitely un-cool. Following our guide, we meandered along a crystal clear stream that tumbled over big boulders to meet the rest of our group for an outdoor picnic.
 Another day we glissaded (slid) down snowy mountain slopes, using our rain ponchos as sleds, or for the more adventurous, our feet. We hiked through a boulder field reminiscent of a moonscape, and then were helicoptered to a remote cabin in the mountains directly across from an active glacier. Some other kids were staying with the older man that owned the cabin and I was relieved to have more friends my own age with whom I could explore the rocky hills behind the cabin.
 Still another day we were dropped off on a glacier where we held hands as we peered into deep ice-blue crevices that looked as if they dropped off into the center of the earth. I think this is where I first developed my love for hiking and adventure. There was nothing like being in the front seat of the chopper as we burst over a stomach-dropping, snow-covered mountain ridge. And to eat a picnic lunch on the top of the world, surrounded by only snow and mountains was a dream. The land was so unspoiled and the air incredibly fresh!
I may still go back some day! If you would like to take this trip, it is still offered by Tauck Tours. Check out their Canadian helicopter tours, and look for the week-long Bobbie Burns. I believe the itinerary is similar to the one I took oh so many years ago!
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