Author Archives: JimG

Takakkaw Falls

Posted on September 21, 2024 by JimG

September 21, 2024

We left Lake Louise and headed to Yoho National park which is close to Banff. The Takkakaw falls are one of the highest falls in Canada.   It was a nice hike to the falls and it wasn’t until we got close that I realized just how high these waterfalls are.  You might be able to see in some of the pictures, how small the people look in comparison to the falls and boulders.

I was surprised to see a few people trying to climb up the falls. I wondered how many times people slipped and injured themselves.

We stopped at the Truffle Pig for a late lunch, the bus driver on the Park N Shuttle drive to Lake Louise recommended it.   I am not sure how many other places that were in town.  It was good and  I was hungry! Continue reading →

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Lake Louise

Posted on September 21, 2024 by JimG

September 21, 2024

Back in May, we stayed at the Fairmount that sits on Lake Louise.  I wanted to go back to see the lake when it wasn’t frozen.  i knew that Lake Louise was a popular stop.  When we were staying at the hotel, I noticed the waves of tourists coming in on the buses.   As we headed to Lake Louise, I started seeing signs along the freeway that said lake parking was limited and to use Park N Ride.   When we exited, we followed the signs to the Park N Ride lots where we learned that we had three options, one of the options was sold out. I was beginning to think that we weren’t going to be able to see it that day when I found shuttle tickets from another company.

At one point, I sat down and admired the view.  I couldn’t help but notice how people were obsessed with getting their selfies and pictures.  It used to be, you took your picture and then you let someone get in there to take their pictures, now people take picture after picture with different poses.  As I watched the circus, I wondered how many people actually stop and take in the view. Continue reading →

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Banff

Posted on September 20, 2024 by JimG

September 20, 2024

When planned this trip, I wanted to book a tour in Banff. Unfortunately, there weren’t any tours that would pick us up in Kananaskis.  While looking at things to do in the area, I noticed an advertisement for a tour app.   I had my doubts but the night before, I decided to check it out.  I downloaded the app and paid $5.95 for the Banff tour.

I went in with low expectations, would it know if I took a wrong turn, could we leave the tour and come back to it?   Would the tour be in synch with my actual location or would the guide be describing something that I hadn’t seen yet?  Overall, I was very pleased with the Guide Along tour from https://guidealong.com/tour/banff-townsite-tour/.   Once we got to the designated area, it started giving us turn by turn instructions on where to go, where to park and what we were seeing. Continue reading →

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Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge

Posted on September 19, 2024 by JimG

September 19, 2024

We checked into the Pomeroy Kananaskis Mountain Lodge.   I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed in the hotel.   It is part of Marriott’s Autograph collection and when I booked the hotel, there was no mention of construction or renovations.  A few days before we left, I got an email that mentioned that they were renovating the hotel along with replacing the roof.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed.  The room itself was nice but I expected more out of an Autograph Collection hotel, the towels had frayed edges, after the first day, we didn’t have wash clothes and when I asked about conditioner, I was told that the hotel was waiting on their shipment.  It is a pet friendly hotel and I had to call the desk about dog that was constantly barking.

When I booked the hotel, I saw that the lodge was located in Kananaskis Village.   The hotel is village the only restaurants and businesses that aren’t part of the hotel are 20 minutes away in Canmore and I found myself spending more time in Banff and Lake Louise which was more than an hour away. Continue reading →

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Calgary – a quick stop

Posted on September 19, 2024 by JimG

September 18 & 19, 2024

Flight UA 1132 from LAX to YCC (Calgary)

Earlier in the year, we did a Rocky Mountaineer trip. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip but it was too short, we didn’t get to spend a lot of time at any one stop.  After seeing the area, I wanted to spend more time exploring the area; I wanted to see Lake Louise when it wasn’t frozen and I wanted to see Banff and the surrounding areas.  I booked an evening flight to Calgary where I would spend the night and would drive to Kananaskis the following day where we would spend the week.

The flight from Los Angeles was a just under three hours, it wasn’t a full flight and we got upgraded to first class.  I loved the extra room and although it sounds real nice, it was an older plane with the small DirecTV screen and ashtrays that were screwed shut.  Don’t get me wrong, I was glad that I got upgraded but I was wishing the plane had been updated. Continue reading →

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Catalina Island

Posted on June 28, 2024 by JimG

The Casino

June 28, 2024

We woke up early and we walked to the iconic Avalon Casino building.  Although the building is called the casino, we were told that there isn’t a casino in it and never has been.  The word “casino” means gathering place.  Unfortunately, the building wasn’t open when we got there.  I found a schedule but it mentioned that opening times depended on cruise ship arrivals.

We walked around the outside of the building and I couldn’t help but notice how quiet everything was with the exception of a few small groups of scuba divers who were suiting up. As much as I would have loved to go into the building, I was enjoying the quiet morning.   The Catalina Express would be bringing in visitors, I was glad that there weren’t any cruise ships.

After our walk, we went back to the hotel, packed everything up, checked out and had them store our luggage while we got lunch.   After lunch, we headed to the pier where we hung out waiting for boat back to Long Beach.

I was surprised at the amount of wildlife, I could see plenty of fish, I spotted a sea lion along with Cormorants.   It was a nice ride back to Long Beach.

Overall, a fun weekend. Continue reading →

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Catalina Island Backcountry Tour

Posted on June 27, 2024 by JimG

June 27th, 2024

We were picked up at our hotel by Backcountry tours and was taken to see the other parts of the island.  Part of the tour was on dirt roads, I was glad that we were in an air conditioned truck as opposed to an open air vehicle.  Our guide from Backcountry tours explained that they offered a variety of services that include hauling camping gear and setting up camps for hikers that want to hike.  With the steep hills, I could see where carrying food and gear could be a challenge.

We enjoyed seeing the rest of the island and hearing about the conservation efforts.  Unfortunately, we did not get to see the Bison which were brought to island in 1924.  Fourteen American Bison were brought to the Island and now, a hundred years later, a herd of about 150 roam the island.

After our tour, our guide dropped us off at “The Lobster Trap” where we had lunch. I rarely get lobster, but decided to have the lobster roll. I wasn’t disappointed. Continue reading →

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Catalina Island

Posted on June 26, 2024 by JimG

The Casino

June 26, 2024

I haven’t been to Catalina since the early 90s.  At the time, I was living in Long Beach which is one of the locations that the Catalina Express boats go in and out of.   We got up, headed to Pann’s for breakfast and then headed to Long Beach to catch our 11:15 boat.  We made good time which allowed me to drive by my old apartment and reminisce.  I had moved to Long Beach for work.   I loved my job, I loved my apartment and have very fond memories from that time.   I have always said that if I could go back and relive a time, that time period would be at the top of my list.

I had purchased a package deal from the Aurora hotel which included the transportation to and from the island, the taxi from the pier as well as a tour of the Island. When I called the hotel to book the package, I was impressed with how friendly and helpful they were.  Overall, I felt the room and the bathroom were small but we had an ocean view and it was only for a couple of nights.   I would definitely stay there again!

The Wrigley Family bought the back in 1919. This is the same Wrigley family that owned Wrigley field along with the Chicago Cubs.  It is hard to imagine the amount of money that this family made off of chewing gum.  At any rate, the family is still owned by the Wrigley family and is known for its wildlife and scuba diving.

When we arrived, we noticed that Avalon was crowded with lines almost everywhere.  I knew that a lot of people will go to Catalina for the day and there was a huge cruise ship parked off of the pier.  I wondered if it was going to remain as crowded as it was.   As we headed out to dinner, we noticed that the cruise ship was leaving and the crowds had dissipated. Continue reading →

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Vancouver to LAX

Posted on May 21, 2024 by JimG

May 21, 2024

We got up and went to the McDonalds for a quick breakfast and then caught the Skytrain to the airport.  It had been a couple of years since I had been in Vancouver and I found myself thinking about my memory. I remember where we stayed and how they had breakfast in the lounge and they had Boursin Cheese (which I love) which I would put on toast.   For the life of me, I could not remember if I took the train to the airport or if I went into a Star Alliance lounge.  I found it interesting on how I could have such a detailed memory about the Boursin Cheese but couldn’t remember if I had taken the train into Vancouver.

We got home that evening and unfortunately, neither of us were feeling good.  The following day, Sophon tested positive for COVID and the day after, my test came back positive.  It is not the way we wanted to end our trip.

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Canadian Wildlife

Posted on May 21, 2024 by JimG

Throughout the week, we saw a lot of wildlife.   On the train, if people spotted something, they would call it out.  It didn’t matter if we were on a train or bus, if someone called out “Bear”, everyone would jump up.

Unfortunately, we also saw a lot of people approaching the animals.  There were signs everywhere telling people to give wild animals their space, there were signs that said if they spotted wildlife to remain in their vehicles.  When we saw a bear and her cub, we remained on the bus, however, there were people who stopped and got out of their cars in order to get a better picture.  I couldn’t help but think how that it if something happened, it would be the animal who would probably end up paying the price for human stupidity. Continue reading →

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