40 years!?

[DarthRider]

July 2 will be Miz Betty & my 40th anniversary...now that's some seriously scary chit!

Anyway, she wants to take a trip (me too) and is interested in the Banff National Park area in Alberta, Canada.

Anybody have any suggestions for places, events, whatever?

Thanks,
Dave

[TorqueMonsterMT-01]

Dave,
First off, congratulations. 40 years is simply awesome.

Banff is very nice. If that kind of thing is to your liking, you might also look into Glacier National Park in Montana with its sister park in Canada. The lakes are clear and blue, the wildlife is virtually unspoiled and the sights are magnificent. Either of those places will put our puny little human existance into perspective.

Both are great places. The good news for both is, there ain't no people. The bad news is, there ain't no people. Cities and towns are far and few between. Make sure you have gas in the car at all times 'cause you never know when you can find more. The people in that area are great too. In fact, I would rather be with those people than with the finest people in the world!

Have a great time and tell Mz. betty that, even though I don't know her, she must be a wonderful woman to put up with you for 40 years.

Salut!
Jeff

[DJ Down Under]

Congrats Dave (and Betty)...I've always wanted to go to Banff...I've heard the snowboarding's great..:045:

DJ

[fganger]

Dave,
Congratulations to the both of you for 40 years of marriage. :eusa_clap: I'll be happy to ask our first woman member, my Bonnie, for you. She is an ex U.S. Forest Ranger and National Park Ranger. I'm sure she would want to know the time of year you are planning this. If you “guys” let me know, I will pass it on to her.
Frank

[Gord]

Dave - congrats on 40 years. Chrissy and I are celebrating our 25th next year and are already working on plans for a getaway without the kids. I am thinking of Australia (just to piss off my eldest who wants so badly to go there), she is thinking Spain and Portugal.

I have been to Banff a couple of times, though not recently. You definitely want to stay at least one night in the Banff Springs Hotel. It is one of the old, majestic CP Hotels constructed when the CPR was building its transcontinental rail line. An afternoon sitting on the patio, sipping a beverage, is a very civilized life indeed.

If you are in to the arts, you might want to see if the Banff School of the Arts is putting on any concerts or shows. It is one of the premiere arts schools in Canada and I have always been impressed by the talent the school displays.

You might plan to spend a night or so in Lake Louise as well. I am not familiar with any resorts in that area, but there are several that look out over the lake which is framed by the towering Rockies. Quite serene and beautiful I am told. And romantic....

The beauty of Banff is that it is fairly short commute into Calgary as well if you find yourself pining for the big city.

I am sure there are some Western Canadians out there who are far more knowledgeable than me who can give you more information on that piece of Canada

[Acacia]

Wonderfull!

Two magic people - after all it does take 2, a lot of compromise and hard work! I am happy for you.

[Arby]

Darth
Congratulations to you and your wife.

Judy and I were 18 when we tied the knot. We just celebrated 42 years.

If you haven't done it before, consider the Carolina, North GA mountains, the Nanthala National Forrest area especially.
Lots of huge lakes formed by the TVA and other mountain activities. It's a great area to spend a week or so, even if you're not riding a bike.

If you're at all interested in this area, let me know, I've got more info.

"May you continue to rejoice in the wife of your youth".

RB

[Deans BMW]

Dave and Mz Betty, 40 years, the word congratulations feels so inadequate. In this day and age to have a fantastic companion for so many years that stands by you with your obsession of the two wheeled kind is truly the definition of magic.

Mz Pam and I feel honored to have been guests at your Casa in Hooterville.

[BobFV1]

Darth - 40 years! Congratulations on a remarkable achievement by two fine and dedicated people, you and Betty!

Frank - your wife works for the NPS? That's so cool!

Never been to Banff, but I heard it is breathtaking!

[Tipstall]

Dave,

Congratulations. :eusa_clap: :eusa_clap: :eusa_clap:

Ken

[geechie]

Adding my congrats here, as well. The Pegster and I have been at it for 26 years now (got a late start). I admire (both of) your persistance and tenacity.

I like the idea of Banff and/or Glacier, but should you decide on western NC, you be sure to let me know. I betcha I could find my way up there from the coast. Then too, if you were out this way, maybe you could find your way down to the coast. Charleston (and the lowcountry) has much to offer.

Either way, enjoy!

George

[arkline]

Geez, I hope my wife can tolerate me that long...:)

I hope you both have another forty together.

Here are some interesting things that are coming up:

http://cs.calgarystampede.com/

It starts a little late for the 2nd of July, but I hear it is a pretty big party.

If you want to sit back and enjoy a view, this is a good option:

http://www.rockymountaineer.com/vacation_packages/package_details.aspx?id=153

And you get to see almost half of Canada.

You didn't mention how you were traveling, so if you don't do much else go here:

http://www.fairmont.com/lakelouise/

Might be a little late to book a room, but that is one classy place.

Be sure to get a passport for you both, since ports of entry back into the States are getting just a bit picky...

Cheers and best to you both.

[Wild Will]

Congratulations to you and to Mrs. Howe. Ain't the patience a woman has amazing!

[Bones]

Darth,
Congrats.......40 years. I actually now understand how that can go fast.

I decided two days ago that my wife is PSYCHO. Why? Because we celebrate our 20th the first week of June. I realized I had some plans to take a 5 day motorcycle trip with a buddy during that week of our Anniversary. When I realized it, I said "Looks like I have to cancel that trip." She said "Why?" I said, "Because our Anniversary is that week. I didn't think you would be too hip on my being away that week riding my motorcycle...it is our 20th." Her response? "You're crazy........the kids are still in school, so we can't go anywhere together that week anyway. Unless you are looking for some excuse to bag the trip, you should go. We can do something when you get back." Then, today, I told her I wanted to take a week off in October (right when our riding season ends here), fly to Texas, meet up with some friends, rent a bike and ride Big Bend. Her response? "That sounds like a blast." We have always kind of been each others' biggest cheer leaders, but come on, even I have to admit, this is ridiculous.

If I have become at all self indulgent (and I am sure I have), I am blaming it on her.

Darth, treat her right.

Jeff

[DarthRider]

Thanks for all the good wishes and vacation ideas.
Looks like we have it down to Lake Louise & Banff, 35 miles apart.
The guide books say crowded & expensive but beautiful.
And lots of cool places to drive to, to get away from the crowded & expensive part!
Wish I could take a bike...
Sounds like a good tip on the passports!

Dave

[Ed K]

Dave,

Congrats to you and Mz. Betty...40! ...Something truly to celebrate. :eusa_clap:

Have a wonderful time, and if you have a chance, bring back some pics.

[jamming]

Dave, in this day and age, 40 years of marriage SHOULD be celebrated.
The love of a woman and the life you share together truly makes for a long and happy life.
Enjoy your vacation, and give her a hug for all of us here at the Cafe for putting up with you all these years.
Roger

[BobFV1]

Darth,
Congrats.......40 years. I actually now understand how that can go fast.

I decided two days ago that my wife is PSYCHO. Why? Because we celebrate our 20th the first week of June. I realized I had some plans to take a 5 day motorcycle trip with a buddy during that week of our Anniversary. When I realized it, I said "Looks like I have to cancel that trip." She said "Why?" I said, "Because our Anniversary is that week. I didn't think you would be too hip on my being away that week riding my motorcycle...it is our 20th." Her response? "You're crazy........the kids are still in school, so we can't go anywhere together that week anyway. Unless you are looking for some excuse to bag the trip, you should go. We can do something when you get back." Then, today, I told her I wanted to take a week off in October (right when our riding season ends here), fly to Texas, meet up with some friends, rent a bike and ride Big Bend. Her response? "That sounds like a blast." We have always kind of been each others' biggest cheer leaders, but come on, even I have to admit, this is ridiculous.

If I have become at all self indulgent (and I am sure I have), I am blaming it on her.

Darth, treat her right.

Jeff

Earth to Sawbones - if you want to make it to 40 years like the rider of Darth, stay home for your anniversary, no matter what she says.....:doubt:

[DarthRider]

"...Enjoy your vacation, and give her a hug for all of us here at the Cafe for putting up with you all these years..."
Roger

Rog, Betty would much prefer all you Cafe birds to come & hug her yourselves.
Can't believe she said that...

Roger that Bob on being there for anniversaries. And don't even think of introducing a sense of humor to the anniversary recipe.
When I was a 1 year novice at this thing, for our 1st anniversary I thought I would be oh, so clever and give everyone a big yuk.
So I bought 1 each bright, shiny new broom, mop & dustpan, put big ribbons on them and presented her with my fine gift.
The results were entirely predictable, at least from this well seasoned viewpoint...she was all crying & pissed off and hurt and I felt like a big turd (with good cause of course!) Fortunately for me, since this was just a gag I had a real present, card & flowers on standby. The day was saved and we went on to number two with other misadventures.
But bear in mind too, the then 20 year old Betty for the first year or so of marriage used to cry at the checkout line at the grocery store because everything was so expensive, even though we had enough money.
40 years of this stuff...how did either of us do that??

Dave

[arkline]

"Sounds like a good tip on the passports!"

Aside from the fact that the Canadian border guards up Vancouver way are nervous as hell about some recent incidents where crazed 'mericans with guns have charged up I-5 looking to bust into Canada to escape the local gendarmerie (Canadian border guards aren't armed), there has historically been a relaxed and friendly welcome into the Provinces. And getting back into the US was pretty easy too. 9/11 changed that somewhat. So the Canadians are still pretty laid back, but coming home went from having a valid driver's license to driver's license and birth certificate to maybe a passport is an excellent idea.

Oh, and if you're driving in Canada, be aware that speed limits are pretty strictly enforced. It's not just a revenue stream, it's the law...

[DarthRider]

Ron -

Me speed? Surely you jest!
Good to know...thanks.

Dave