The following year, SB and I had a second trip visiting various wonderful national parks, in which BK and KS couldn’t join but KS had a separate trip later along the same route we took. We started from Portland and visited San Francisco after visiting various interesting places such as the Red Woods National Park along the way. After spending a few days in the beautiful city, we then visited Yosemite, King & Sequoia National Parks, which was followed by a visit to various parks including Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, and Arches. Which was the best? It all depends on personal choice and taste. Some said Grand Canyon, others Zion or Bryce…
This time was the third trip to complete a trip through the Rocky Mountains, starting from Yellowstone and then Glacier followed by Banff and Jasper. On the way home, SB and his wife and Helen and I had a brief visit to Vancouver and Victoria where the Butchart Gardens are located.
Salishan Resort as a Prelude
The Lees arrived in Portland on August 11 and for the period of Aug 12-14, we spent a few wonderful days in Salishan Spa & Resort, a resort place along the Pacific Ocean of the beautiful state of Oregon. We had a game of golf on the fine golf course and visited a number of fine restaurants, which had good seafood. SB is a fine golfer who has taught me various techniques throughout my short golf career.
Yellowstone National Park
We left Portland early in the morning and drove along the gorgeous Columbia River. We stayed in a motel along a river in Coeur d’Alene, a beautiful city in Idaho. We were excited to meet with our dear friend KS and his wife, Alice in Yellowstone the following day. Helen and I visited Yellowstone National Park many times in the past, some of which were camping trips with our children when they were young. However, this time was special for us three good high school friends who used to hang out together while we were growing up. We missed BK and his wife since they could not join us this time.
By the time we arrived in Yellowstone, Dr. Suh and Alice were already there to warm up the place just for us. It was a great reunion since we met in 2009 in Denver at the completion of the 2009 summer trip.
On our first day in Yellowstone, we visited many places including the famous Old Faithful and of course the Mammoth Site. It was rather sad that the activity of these places have been deteriorating over the years due to their old age reminding us of our own old states in life. We recollected our first visit to these places many years ago when the activity of geysers and hot water flowing over the pretty rocks was a lot more vigorous than what they are now. One of the best scenic spots was the Artist Points where we took many photos.
Glacier National Park
When I visited Glacier for the first time, my impression was that it was vast, great, huge, giant, and titanic. After nearly 20 years later, the posture and stature of Glacier was still mammoth, colossal and overwhelming. The park facilities have improved a lot since we visited last time. What was most impressing was the introduction of a walk path along the hills of the great mountain top starting from the visiting center. We had a relaxing and pleasant walk along the path with many good people and left with very fond and lasting memories.
Banff and Jasper
If Glacier is a symbol of greatness due to its immense mass, Banff and Jasper should be represented as the king of the Mountains. Numerous lakes and hot springs were an added attraction which made us feel as though we were in Heaven. It is a paradise on earth for those who are interested in mountains, rivers, lakes, and hot springs and of course, wildlife.
The visit to Lake Louise was the highlight of the day. It has been reported that about 10 million years ago, the valley was filled with glaciers, which was gradually melted down to form a lake. It is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world at least to me. It offers a great view with a jade green color and glaciers at the top of the mountains. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains with thousands of trees and all kinds of vegetation. Rather strong but cozy sunbeams of August added to our warm feeling of the most beautiful nature scene created by God. It was funny that every place we visited seemed to be better than the place we visited just before until we had enough time to digest all the places we have visited previously. I had an urge to write down my feelings about this lake and as a result the following poem was generated.
Friendship at Lake Louise
Lake Louise
A precious pride of Canada
A jewel of the world
Reflecting its jade-green color
Accentuated by icy Mountains
Surrounding giant, round, rugged rocks
Sending a happy smile
On a shiny sunny day of August
Three old friends
With their lovely wives
After 40 years separation
Reminiscing the good old days
Felt a cold but cheerful sense
From their feet in the cold water
They have painted
A bright and promising
Rest of their old lives
루이스 호수에서 의 우정
루이스 호수
카나다의 주옥
세상의 보석
세상의 보석
제이드 초록색을 반사하며
빙산을 벗으로 삼으니
주위의 둥글고 웅장한
바위산이 미소를 던지네
8 월의 어느 화창한 하루
40 여년 헤어졌던
친구 셋이
친구 셋이
아름다운 부인들 과 함께
옛 정을 회상하며
찬 물에 발을 담그며
앞으로의 희망에 찬 여생을
그려 보았다네
Kenneth N. Han
At the beautiful Lake Louise
At the beautiful Lake Louise
August 23, 2011
Jasper National Park is really a continuation of Banff and seems to offer more glaciers and rugged mountains. There are also many beautiful lakes scattered along the series of hillsides. Ice fields are spread along the side of various shapes of mountains offering an ideal spot for photo opportunities. The middle of summer felt like the middle of winter due to a strong wind blowing against our faces but it certainly felt fresh and clean. On the way back to the city of Banff, we saw another beautiful and unique lake called Peyto Lake, which is known to be the second most beautiful lake in the world by a famous travel guide. It was rather small in size but definitely different from all the lakes we had seen in that it offered a thick green color giving an atmosphere that is outside of this world.
We were surprised to learn that there were three Korean restaurants in a small area. However, all of these restaurants were full expecting 300 people entertaining their dinner in the evening we had visited. We were lucky to find a Korean restaurant not very far away from the town and everyone had a good Korean meal relieving at least a moment of home sickness for some of us.
The official get-together tour along the Rockies was ended on the third night in Banff. We said farewell to each other and Alice and Ken left for Denver and the rest of us were heading to Vancouver for sight-seeing of the city and also to visit the Butchart Gardens in Victoria of Vancouver Island.
We enjoyed the breathtaking scenery along HWY 1 of Canada from Banff to Vancouver. In Vancouver, we visited many interesting places including Stanley Park, China Town, Canada Place, Granville Island, and of course, Robson Street where all kinds of foods representing various nations were available.
The last leg of the trip was to visit Butchart Gardens in Vancouver Island. On the Alaska Cruise trip, we had seen this place but it was at night. Because of its unusual beauty, we wanted to visit this place again but during the day light. The Garden was built by the Butchart Family more than 100 years ago and offers many flowers, animals, and trees spread on a land which is larger than 50 acres. Its floral display was unique, impressive, and interesting.
Unfortunately, every good thing has an end to it. However, it leaves a good lasting memory, which helps keep our life invigorated, stimulated, and interesting especially when routine daily life becomes boring and unexciting. Although all the previous trips we took were exciting, electrifying, full of suspense, and beyond expectation, this trip has certainly been very special. Many conversations taken place in the car, during lunch in the parks, and also during the times of dinner at fine restaurants were memorable. Humor and wit generated by our companions were especially appreciated when our bodies were tired after a long drive. Visiting such wonderful places is always fun especially with dear friends but also gives us an opportunity to remember the good old days with these friends. We all had missed BK and his lovely wife and our other dear friends. This means all of you who are so kind to read this brief trip diary.
On behalf of everyone who participated in this trip, I am pleased to say that we have become wiser and more humble after getting in touch with so much of nature’s wonders. We also thank you for your friendship and support given to us throughout the years.
No comments:
Post a Comment