I agree with irecommend. You'd have to be tripping to go to Canada and not do the Rockies.

Thanks again to all for the insights. I am quite inclined to change the itinerary and skip Toronto. I shall work out a new one ask post it here for your suggestions. Will take a couple of days.

Thanks again.

To bob_brown:

I always read your posts with interest, and thank you for the most valuable advice you've given me.

My perception is that you have hiked and hiked for many years: I just can't fathom how many places you been to, or how often you have returned to your favorites (like the Canadian Rockies).

You are an inspiration. Thank you.

Hi ajayind,

I respectfully request that you clarify details of your trip in this way:

Entry point is (what we'll call) Buffalo/Niagara Falls, right?

Exit Point is Vancouver, Canada, right?

(one sentence only mentioned Vancouver, possibly implying it was the start and finish of the whole ground trip)

If I have it correct up above, then

(a) of course go to Niagara Falls, because it is convenient and worth the visit.

(b) While Toronto might not awe those of us from North America many times over, it is a city which may have plenty of contrasts in your eyes, so I'd stay with the 2 days there. Furthermore, you aren't having to go out of your way to get to Toronto - it is convenient to your "given" destinations.

(c) As for the Canadian Rockies I think I'd opt for "2 days" in Banff and then perhaps schedule the drive toward Vancouver to be the most scenic you can find, skipping nights in Jasper and not forcing yourself to rush to Vancouver.

(d) Vancouver is an awesome city, and as North American cities go it is among the more gorgeous and exciting population centers. (a while back there was a list of "The most livable cities in the world" and the ONLY one in the top 20 from North America was Vancouver.

Don't cut yourself short in Vancouver... and note that the 2010 Winter Olympics are going to be in Vancouver/Whistler, and for that reason among others, you should take a day trip up to Whistler Ski Area no matter what time of year it is. The drive to Whistler is stunning in places.

Vancouver has diverse culture and natural beauty all around while the compact nature of the downtown core allows you to cover lots of territory with minimal time invested.

You sure are testing the bounds of varying opinions of others in this thread. Everyone has ideas and none of them are "wrong".

Yes, I agree: having looked at your breathtaking plans and the pace you intend to keep, I think you have a lot on your plate. However, I don't think removing Toronto would improve your trip. Frankly, I would consider dropping either Banff or Jasper. If this is a once in a lifetime, they are a bit too similar for my tastes.

Well, I think the original itinerary is do-able (although busy). Except that given the amount of travel and time limitations, I would probably skip Jasper and spend 2 or 3 nights in Banff. You can do a day-trip up the Icefields Parkway to the Athabasca Glacier (which is halfway to Jasper) and this plus other day trips to, perhaps, Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, etc., will give you an excellent taste of the spectacular scenery of the Rockies.

Sludick,

Glad to hear you find Bob_Brown such an inspiration. Hopefully you'll never post a thread he disagrees with and be accused of being a troll or not having all your cards on the table as I was.

Well, Paul_H, my husband also has a tendency to get pretty cranky at times and overreact to some perceived slight. That's when I accuse him of having attained "old coot-dom." >

But you're right, it's no fun to get flamed online, although debate can sometimes get so heated you can really feel the heat. I try to be tolerant and thick-skinned, and usually don't end up with any lasting damage.

Paul H has a bad case of Post Hotel road rage that just wont quit.LOL

irecommend,

If you read my reply properly you'd see that it was not about the (insert name of establishment) itself, which is why I didn't mention it. My comment was directed towards one of the members of the sect that seems to have sprung up around it.

I fear my hiking has slowed a bit. My wife, and constant hiking companion for 50 years, has arthritic knees.
She so far she has not opted for new ones.

Also age has crept up. We did make it up to Waterfall Valley on our last trip in 2006. That was the realization of a dream. Hip replacement slowed me down the previous summer, but we got there the following year.

I think if ajayind goes to the Rockies even with limited time she will fall in love. Our first trip was a scouting expedition, although we were there for 6 days.

That trip whetted the appetite and we have found our way back several times since then.

We've made the drive from Banff to Vancouver several times. After the first attempt to drive it in one day, we learned to schedule no less than 2 days. The highway is not at all a freeway -- for much of the way it's a winding 2-lane road that you share with 18-wheelers as it scales mountains and winds through towns. Not to say it can't be done, but it's exhausting and you won't have any time at all to stop and admire the view.

Hello All

thank you all for being so generous with your help.

Most unfortunately, due to reasons of visa, we are unable to come to Canada this summer. Perhaps the next one.

now, we'll go to Alaska.

Thank you again