Slipstream - November 2018

Bucket List: Banff
By Wendy Shoffit
Two years ago, when the PCA Treffen committee
announced that Banff would be the destination in fall
2018, James’ eyes got wide! For years he had seen photos
of the area and knew he wanted to go! Then a year ago he
had a stroke and I was unsure if we would make it. First,
HE had to make it and then we’d see. Thankfully, he lived
and I knew I had to do everything to make this bucket list
item happen. So, we bought tickets we needed and made
important hotel reservations. The rest we would fill in as
it came along. The 31-hour drive (one way) was daunting
because James had ALWAYS done ALL the driving (his
choice). He loves to drive! Me, on the other hand . . . not
as much (I get sleepy). I decided to leave plenty of time
and drive each day until I got tired and wanted to stop.
We spent parts of five days getting there (first and last days
were three hours each). Approaching the hotel, we knew
we’d made the right decision! The area was spectacular.
We checked in to the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel,
which looked and felt like a castle. We grabbed a delicious
lunch in their restaurant and later that afternoon went to
the Treffen check-in. Everyone was welcoming, had great
information, and gave us a goodie “bag” complete with
winter vests for each of us. That evening was a meet and
greet with hors d’ouevres. We enjoyed seeing old friends
and meeting new ones. It was a “free night,” so we went
off property with friends to a delicious and very “foodie”
restaurant nearby with stuff like foam and Canola crisp.
Fancy schmancy.
Overnight temperatures dropped, and we awoke
to snow. Bright and early we drove to the nearby tour
launching area. Many were concerned they had the
wrong car and tires for the snow. We were smart to bring
our Macan with All Season tires (thanks to my smart
husband)! After the drivers meeting we set off on an
amazingly beautiful “Yoho Loop” tour while whistling
“It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas.” We’d planned
to see the beautiful greens of the trees, we found it more
special to see them snow-covered but still drivable. We
saw great sites like the Takkakaw Falls and stopped at
breathtaking Emerald Lake for lunch. We’d tried to view
the spiral tunnels, but the snow was so heavy we couldn’t
see them. We were glad to have the extra vest layer
under jackets, as we were NOT properly prepared for
snow. That night we had a “Hoedown Dinner” featuring
amazing fiddlers from a local group.
Friday we again were up early (why does PCA not want
you to SLEEP?) to go on the Highway 40/Kananaskis (ask
me how to pronounce THAT in person) tour. Again, more
snow, slippery roads, but breathtaking scenery! This tour
we stopped at a local museum and saw (at a distance) a
few black bears. Another great dinner that night featuring
interesting foods from different provinces of Canada.
Saturday was “Navigator’s Day Off,” during which
they had bus tours available. We’d purchased tickets for
one tour, but we were running late that morning and
literally “missed the bus.” Regardless, we went into the
photos provided by the author
The Shoffit’s Macan in the mountains of Canada and requisite Porsche photo
content. Fairmont Banff Springs. Wendy and James (center) with some fellow
Treffen friends.
town of Banff and enjoyed walking along main street,
shopping, and eating Beaver Tails (pastry – look it up).
Others who went on the tours truly enjoyed themselves
and were glad they made it! Most tours all weekend
went off without a hitch from what I knew, except for
the Columbia Ice Fields, which were too rough for most
people to attend. Other than that, it was all good!
The final dinner Saturday night was a “Night at the
Castle” and it was great, like the others. The best part of
the evening for me was the presentation by two Canadian
RCMP “Mounties.” While we were skeptical about
being bored, when they started talking, we were quickly
entertained by his stories and explanation of why they
wear those funny shaped pants. Awesome guys and an
amazing time! We were thankful to be there with fellow
Mavericks Jerry and Myra Sutton and Madhu and Roshni
Rao (now living in NYC).
Sunday morning we were sad to leave, but anxious to
get on to the next leg of our trip… Lake Louise and then
to Rennsport Reunion VI in Monterey, CA (a week and a
half later)! Ahhhhh… what a journey.
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