CANADIAN ROCKIES!

I'm getting ahead of myself a little here, but thought since I was writing about traveling, I might as well tell you about a trip we took about 18 years ago.

We tried to do something special for each of our grandchildren, and Our oldest grandchild was just the right age to go on a month long trip with us to the Canadian Rockies and then on to Vancouver Island and then back through Oregon and the southern route home.

We tried to pick campgrounds that a boy about 12 would enjoy. Those included movies, swimming pools, small race cars and games that a 12 year old would enjoy. Most of these were at the campsites we chose. We attended a rodeo while on the trip. We tried to pack his favorite foods, as we didn't know what kind of stores we would run into in Canada and how far in the back country we were headed for.

Jamie (Our VIYB--very important young boy) was really the right age to enjoy such a trip. Today he tells us that he remembers everything about the trip and he too thinks it was just an ideal age. We weren't so lucky to be able to take our other grandchildren on this kind of an extended trip, due to activities they were involved in.

Back 18 years ago we or he didn't have a cell phone that he could call his parents or friends any time he wanted. We would make a point in letting him call home once a week. We thought this would keep him from getting homesick. He told us later, he only got homesick, after he had just finished talking with them on the phone.

He truly was a good little traveler, as he would get out and wash our windows when we stopped for gas, etc. He seemed to be a "happy camper".

As you well know, the Canadian Rockies are spectacular! Vancouver Island was great, also. We went to Waterton Lakes, Lake Louise, Banff National Park and then on to Vancouver Island. We got to visit close friends in Portland, Oregon. Jamie enjoyed the stories that were told while there.

Wisdom--We think it is wise to do something special for each grandchild. Sometimes it seems kinda hard, when the kids are in so many activities. Later, I will tell you more about our grandchildren, but thought it appropriate to tell about this trip now.