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Gateway to Yoho, Glacier and Mount Revelstoke National Parks
by Jerry W. Bird 

Adventure Roads BookWe've visited Revelstoke and area many times during that great, relaxing drive from Calgary to Vancouver via Rogers Pass, the Okanagan, Shuswap and Kamloops. The chain of snow tunnels through the montains east of the city are something to marvel at, and make you wonder how folks coped with avalanches in the early days. We've also experienced that same scenic route by rail, perched like royalty in the spacious Dome Car, which is a whole different ball game - a laid back world of pure travel pleasure. The conductor read off the points of interest every few miles from a journal that was printed almost a century ago - and believe it or not, few things had changed in the interim. While I've never stayed in Revelstoke overnight, not long ago I was assigned the task of writing a hotel profile of the area for Inn Focus, official magazine of the BC Yukon Hotels' Association (BCYHA)ow for BC Scene and Air Highways Journal, we have the opportunity to tell the full story as we see it. I have always been impressed by Revelstoke's location with the broad river running by the highway, and tall, snow-capped mountains in the background framing the scene.

On last summer's trip from Calgary to Vancouver via the Trans Canada Highway, we stopped for dinner at Revelstoke, where I copied down some local prose from a beautiful stained glass window. The artist pays homage to the many brave and adventurous souls who came this way during the Cariboo Gold Rush and its various offshoots. I took other copious notes while talking to the owner a delightful lady who was most helpful, even though her restuarant was loaded with guests at the time. This incident has spurred me to add a major chapter in my book "Adventure Rails, on the vital role Revelstoke played in during the building and subsequent operation of passenger service on Canada's great transcontinental railway.

My maternal grandfather, Ernie J. Somerton, spent some time working there many decades ago and had fond memories, just like my own. We will talk about the attractions nearby such as the Hot Springs (east on Trans Canada) and the museum at Three Valley Gap, a delightful lakeside attraction where I went nuts with my camera shooting everything in sight. By the way, Sicamous, Mara Lake and the Mighty Shuswap are just down the road. Been there and done that many times, but never get tired of the trip, the people and the countryside.

In the meantime, for more details on Revelstoke and area, contact:

 

Revelstoke Chamber of Commerce
Revelstoke Airport
Attn: Ms. Wendy Forbes
Box 490, 204 Campbell Ave.
Revelstoke, BC, V0E 2S0
250-837-4223