We had the best of intentions today of getting out early and riding the chair lift to the Norquay ski area and having breakfast on top of the mountain, then driving to Lake Louise for the views, then going up to the Sunshine Meadows area for some hiking. Unfortunately, early morning claps of thunder and occasional lightning flashes made that plan obsolete before it was born. After breakfast in the hotel, we decided that the chair lift was not to be, and decided to drive the 60 km to Lake Louise. It appeared more clear that direction, but by the time we got there it was raining hard. WE returned to the hotel and took care of some mundane chores. BY afternoon, a clear time was promised over the Lake Louise area, so we drove up ... read more

As previously mentioned, Jasper is held to be the better of the two biggest Canadian Rockies national parks for viewing wildlife. It held up that reputation today. We began the day in Maligne (pron. Maleen) Canyon. The origin of the canyon is not yet determined. It is a narrow canyon through limestone. One theory is that it is a canyon cut by a stream back cutting back through the stone, but timing of glacial deposits makes that less likely. Another theory is that water rushing beneath a glacier that was here cut through the rock. After seeing the canyon, it appears most likely to me (and is apparently the theory favored by geologists) that it was a cave that was unroofed by the passing glacier. Regardless of its origin, it is fascinating. The water rushes through ... read more

In order to avoid street closures for a parade, we made an early start. Only 4 miles form our downtown hotel is the Capilano Suspension Bridge and the park in which it resides. It is difficult to visually reconcile the residential neighborhood where you park with the wild area just on the other side of the park gate. The park contains the iconic suspension bridge but also nature walks, a cliff walk, and a treetops path consisting of a series of 7 suspension bridges of lesser magnitude. It all wanders through an old growth temperate rainforest of Douglas firs, western red cedars, and hemlocks, some of which are up to 1500 years old. The suspension bridge itself crosses a chasm with a small stream in the bottom. What could have been a peaceful interlude was somewhat ... read more

Today's itinerary was simple, but cry important for me personally: we simply toured the Eisenhower Museum, Library, and boyhood home in Abilene KS and then returned home. As a student of World War II, and particularly the European Theater of Operations, I have long held Eisenhower as a hero. I am not sure that anyone else could have done the job he did in keeping together the alliance that defeated Nazi Germany. It should be remembered that alliance forces are rarely fully successful, mostly because the alliance are generally fragile and the egos and agendas of the individual participant nations usually rule the day. Ike never let that happen while Supreme Commander of SHAEF. It has been said that his knowledge of military tactics was lacking, and I will leave that discussion to those who know ... read more

Today's target was the Mark Twain country of Hannibal Missouri. Driving from St. Louis to Hannibal you travel the Avenue of the Saints, a 4 lane expressway (not freeway) presumably so named because it goes form St. Louis to St. Paul. It allows you to see agricultural America at its most bland. Miles of corn and soybeans. Miles. Hannibal is a small town of 17,000 people that long served as a hub of commerce with a good rail connection and frequent stops by Mississippi River riverboats. It is, of course, best known now as the hometown of Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens), and much of the town now revolves around Twain tourism. In later life, Twain revealed the real-life inspirations for many of his characters, and their homes (or reputed homes) have in some cases been ... read more