where is everbody?
 

What happenned to all the Fodorites? I have not been on this site for some months and it has become so quiet!! It looks like now that people have to actually register, there is practically nobody anymore!! There used to be replies and postings every minute or so, now it's more like every 1/2 hour...

The Canadian site is always quiet until mid-spring. If you check the Europe site there are postings every minute. But it's true now that the trolls are no longer able to work their 'magic' it has cut down on some of the activity. Do you miss that?

Thanks Gary,<BR><BR>Oh well, it's true that there is a lot more activity in the USA and Europe forums...and I certainly don't miss the Trolls :).

The government of the province of Ontario thinks it is time to get touristy, and today gave out a tulip, a map, and two brochures about Ontario in the spring, to commuters getting off the commuter trains in Toronto.<BR><BR>The brochures are full of interesting things to do and see; in contrast, it sure was a cold winter in southern Ontario and people who stayed home were much more comfortable., Even serious skiers did not want to go down the hills in the very cold weather.<BR><BR>Scare stories about border crossings (they may be accurate scare stories, by the way) and normal travel-chicken syndrome may have kept some people from thinking about trips to Canada. <BR><BR>Canada remains a nice place to visit, and as Americans avoid Europe but want someplace to go that does not have a Bob Evans and a Shoney's on every corner, they are certainly welcome here, where there's McDonald's and Burger King, of course, but they can experience a foreign -- to them -- culture with Harvey's, Swiss Chalet and Tim Horton's.<BR><BR>They give up biscuits and gravy and get poutine instead. What a world in which we live!<BR><BR>At 10:20 a.m. in Toronto on Tuesday, March 25, it is very, very grey, and looks as if the skies are going to open up in the biggest rainstorm of the year.<BR><BR>BAK

In Newfoundland, everything that happens after March 21st that isn't an actual blizzard, we label SPRING. And its here...temperatures above freezing, lots more boats in and out of the harbour here in St. John's, talk of hiking the East Coast Trails (instead of snowmobiling them...) Yep, definitely signs of spring...think about my beautiful province, if you are thinking about visiting the Canadian East.

Most of us are still hibernating in our igloos, alternating between speaking in French and chewing on whale blubber.

If somebody wants to talk about the Canadian Rockies, I am here to do it.<BR>I will be available until mid July when I fly to Calgary for a visit to the Canadian Rockies, again.<BR>

hey Bob!<BR><BR>I sure want to talk about the Canadian Rockies since I'm heading that way this coming August!

Anyone here from Montreal?

Patty,<BR>I am from Montreal

Hi Mist<BR><BR> Whereabouts in montreal? Which part of the city?

Well, my fingers are flexible and my brain is less numb than usual, so fire away with questions. <BR>I can talk about the museum at Drumheller, too. And the Ukranian Village at Androssen east of Edmonton.<BR>We had a great time visiting both.<BR>

Hi Patty,<BR><BR>I live on the island of Montreal. What did you want to know about Montreal?<BR><BR>Hi Bob,<BR><BR>I want to know what are the places I should not miss while I'm in Banff, Jasper, Kamloops, Whistler, Vancouver and Victoria this summer. I also want some suggestions on places to stay ($100 or less) and suggestions on restaurants.

I will confine my comments to the Rockies. I never saw much in Kamloops to keep me there. Victoria has Butchard Gardens and the Royal BC Museum close to the harbor. Those are the two premier attractions I have seen.<BR><BR>For Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise are you talking Canadian dollars and less than $100 a night? If so, no way I know of unless you stay out hotels and look for bed and breakfasts. In Jasper there are Parks Approved accommodations in private homes that vary in quality and price rather greatly. Take a look here:<BR><BR>http://www.discoverjasper.com/WheretoStay/HomeAccommodators/<BR><BR>I stayed in one last year called Geike Suite. It was fair - good perhaps. Separate bedroom, good bed, couch, chair, eating space, etc. It was a basement conversion, and had a low ceiling.<BR><BR>I can not/will not recommend a place in Jasper to eat. The highest priced ones are ok, the cheaper ones are take your pick. <BR><BR>Around Lake Louise, the cheapest place I know of is the Mountaineer Lodge which runs about $200 in season for a non descript double room.<BR><BR>Around Banff, I cannot say because I avoid the town site itself.<BR><BR>Along the Icefields Parkway the Crossing is an ok place. Nothing great, but well placed for people who want to linger along the Parkway like I do.<BR><BR>Around Lake Louise, I find an overnight unit in Field, BC, which is about 14-15 miles from Lake Louise. Many of the private home owners have outfitted their basements as rental units. Mt. Stephen Guesthouse is ok to ok++. It has a separate bedroom, good kitchen, eating area. Costs are less than Lake Louise by a goodly margin. <BR><BR>The best place in Field is more than $100 per night.<BR><BR>The problem with Field is that there are few places to eat except for the Truffle Pig, which has a lot of people around it, and the kicking Horse Lodge.<BR>Rooms there run better than $138 Canadian.<BR> <BR>I am much more fluent in discussing what to see. But that depends on how much of a hiker you are!<BR>

I'm from Hampstead, Quebec. Well now because of our undemocratic forced mergers, I suppose I live in Montreal.

Yes Jack, I lost my city to with these forced mergers but remember...the government knows best what is good for us...I could go on and on but this is a travel site so lets not get into politics.<BR><BR>Thanks Bob, I am talking Canadian money for what it is worth :(<BR>I was looking into Canmore as an alternative to Banff for lodging and Hinton for Jasper.<BR><BR>So far in the Jasper and Banff area intend to visit the following:<BR>„X Maligne Canyon trails (gratuit)<BR>„X Athabaska Falls<BR>„X Columbia Icefield <BR>„X Peyto Lake<BR>„X Lake Louise<BR>„X Lake Moraine<BR>„X Hoodoo Creek<BR>„X Cave &amp; Basin<BR>„X Bow rapids<BR>„X Banff Upper Hot Springs <BR>„X Dam near Canmore <BR>„X Johnston Canyon<BR>and <BR>„X Head-Smashed-in-Buffalo Jump<BR>„X Drumheller<BR>„X Badland<BR>if we have time...<BR><BR>Am I missing anything?<BR>

Mist I, too, live on the island of montreal.

I have a slightly different set of priorities. The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology is a World Heritage Site, and fascinates me. I have been there twice and think there is no place quite like it. Of course, one has to be a palentology buff to like it. It is a mono focused museum, but it is the world's foremost museum of paleontology with some of the most noted palentologists in the world housed there as a base of operations. <BR><BR>I would dump some of that stuff you have listed and visit Takkakaw Falls in Yoho National Park. It is just over the line from Lake Louise and the most beautiful fall in that area. And Emerald Lake is just down the road.<BR>On a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate it a 3, just under Peyto. Lake Louise and Moraine rate a 1. Nothing I ever saw beats them; Lake McArthur and Lake O'Hara rival them, but nothing quite tops them. For Lake Louise, try to get there early for the angle of the sun, and hopefully you can beat most of the 200,000 tourists that pour out of buses every day.<BR><BR>Also, the Angel Glacier flowing off the north flank of Mount Edith Cavell near Jasper is quite spectacular. <BR><BR>I rate those two attractions right up there with Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Peyto Lake is also pretty. You view it from the heights and on a sunny day it is quite dramatic. Unfortunately, I walked out there in the rain and my view was obscured.<BR>But, I plan to return!!!<BR><BR>And along the Icefields Parkway, there are so many world class views that you will become saturated! Mile after mile of incredible mountain scenes. <BR><BR>I have driven it both ways several times, and I will be there again this summer! <BR><BR>To be quite honest, you have better offers than those rapids and Cave and Basin. I went there once, and for the life of me I don't remember it.<BR><BR>Hinton is 50 miles plus from Jasper.<BR>It will take you a while to drive it because some of the route is in the park, and people stop at every moose.<BR><BR>I never considered staying there for that reason.

I have noticed that traffic is down on the US and Asia sites in the past week. Perhaps Fodorites are following the Iraq war on one of those news sites instead of posting here.

<BR>Glad to hear everyone is thawing out. We had a bad winter here in New York too. Are there any Quebec/Maritime experts around? I'm looking for some place with lots of natural beauty for a family vacation this summer within driving distance of the NY metro area. Thinking maybe Gaspe peninsula but that might be pushing our time limit. Any suggestions appreciated.

Thanks again Bob,<BR><BR>I am taking good notes of your suggestions. Where is the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology? I am traveling with my 13 yr old daughter, do you think she would like it to?

Hi Joey,<BR><BR>I would post your request for information and I'm sure you will get some replies. I have traveled throughout Quebec myself (camping). New York to Gaspe is 2 long days drive but it is really worth it if you have the time.. My favourite place in the Quebec province was the Saguenay Fjord for its magnificient cliffs and the show that they have every summer. You can drive a bit further and spend some relaxing time in the Charlevoix region to.<BR><BR>Gaspe area is also beautiful and there is more things to do since it is more touristic.. All depends on how much time you have.

Mist, the best part about the Municipal election was the fact that Bourque got voted out because of his own program. Let's just hope that on April 14th, the PQ is voted out also!

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology is located in Drumheller, which is northeast of Calgary. We drove over there and back easily in one day. <BR><BR>Because Dr. Phil Currie is on the staff at the museum and he has been closely tied to many of the discoveries of feathered dinosaurs in China, I am hoping that something will be on display discussing the evolution of birds from theropods and the evolution of flight feathers. (Flight feathers were most probably developed before flying dinosaurs took to the sky. The feathers were exapted for flight after they developed, most probably for insulation and skin protection.)<BR><BR>The Tyrrell Museum to me is special not only because of its exhibits but also because of its educational programs.<BR>During the day there are often skits performed by members of the educational staff for both the entertainment and the education of visitors. Although the programs are aimed mostly at the 9 to 14 age range, adults can learn something too. The one I saw last summer on the creatures of the Burgess Shale was as entertaining for the technology used to make presentation as it was educational for the subject matter. <BR><BR>There are often large groups of school children going through. Even in the summer the place can be crowded with people.<BR><BR>There is a computer CD that gives you a virtual tour of the museum, and I think there is still a very good web site that will show you pictures of the exhibits.<BR><BR>But, there is nothing like the real thing.<BR><BR>

Mist,<BR>I am by no means a paleontology buff but I really enjoyed the museum. There were a number of hands-on activities that kids were having fun with, so your 13 year old ought to like it. This special place is well worth a visit, I think.<BR>

Yo Bob.<BR>The museum in Victoria is hosting the China collection this year.<BR><BR>You may want to look into it and revise your plans.