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Travel Alberta, All Rights Reserved Written by: Travel Alberta
For the ultimate Alberta road trip, we've matched a sample of trips to vehicles in combinations that may offer life-changing experiences for road trip planners. Thelma and Louise drove an iconic convertible Thunderbird, though their trip was more of a spontaneous crazy thrill ride than a series of road trips on scenic highways. Jack Kerouac careened cross-country in cars in his autobiographical novel On The Road. Batman...well, great car, but enough said. In Alberta, a Porsche, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, a Yukon XL SUV and a fifth-wheeler are among potential adventures on exciting blacktops. Remember, these roadways are open to most any vehicle and road trip planner!
Saddle Up a Porsche
Bert Leemburg is a Porsche owner and the chair organizing The 356 Rocky Mountain Holiday 2005, a sports car extravaganza drawing Porsche 356 enthusiasts from across Canada and the U.S. to Alberta from June 29 to July 3. He's driven many Alberta roadways and recommends the Cowboy Trail in a Porsche (though you can choose any vehicle!) as the way to go. Road trip planner, rejoice!
"You come upon Highway 22, part of The Cowboy Trail, and as you dart up this roadway, a seemingly endless panorama unfolds before your eyes with the Canadian Rocky Mountains guarding the nearby horizon," says Leemburg.
"Mile after mile of untold beauty reveals the soft-rolling Porcupine Hills," he says. "Here, a ribbon of pavement provides the perfect driving elements; long sweeping curves and friendly rises draw near, as you drive the 'Whale Back'.
Bert says it is an unforgettable driving experience! This is where Clint Eastwood rode the range in the movie The Unforgiven. Nearby is the Bar U Ranch, a National Historic Site and working ranch, and you can "tie up your Porsche 356 and rest a spell," he says.
A short burst of acceleration and you're in the village of Longview, formerly called Little New York, says Leemburg. "There the trail turns sharply west into the seemingly unsurpassable Rockies," he says. "A moderate climb points you up to the Highwood Pass, the highest point on any Canadian highway."
Flanked by some snow-covered mountaintops, you feast your eyes on hanging glaciers, as all roads here lead to the 356 Holiday 2005 Headquarters at the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis, says Leemburg, a veteran road trip planner.
Drive up a few days early and play a round of golf at the Kananaskis Country Golf Course - designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. Two acclaimed courses, Mt. Kidd and Mt. Lorette, are a golfer's paradise. But, book early, as tee-times fill quickly, says Leemburg.
You may opt to stay for the world famous Calgary Stampede in July, called The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, or visit the Canadian Badlands and discover the Royal Tyrrell Museum with its display of prehistoric dinosaurs, he says.
Navigate the Icefields in a SUV
Bruce Jackson, a rental consultant at Driving Force Rentals Sales and Leasing in Edmonton, recommends an SUV as the best vehicle to see the famous Icefields Parkway. It's one of the world's classic highway drives with huge walls of ice, beautiful lakes and stunning waterfalls for any serious road trip planner.
"The Yukon XL can handle all of the different climate conditions anywhere on the Parkway, because you've got the four-wheel drive and wider stability of a big SUV," says Bruce. "It has all the luxuries, too: leather heated seats, a sunroof and a lot of room for more passengers, if you want to bring family or friends."
Also, it's a higher than usual vehicle, better for seeing wildlife along the roadway. "The scenery is incredible with the glaciers," says Bruce. "I'm a mountain guy, so I'd advise you that even with all the great scenery, remember to drive safe and keep your eyes on the road!"
Make Good in the Badlands on a Harley Davidson
Mick Cawthorn is the owner of Kane's Harley Davidson in Calgary, where you can rent a Harley and head out to see the Canadian Rockies or the haunting land of dinosaurs and hoodoos. The Canadian Badlands Trail is a journey that Cawthorn has taken many times. It takes you past two-billion-year-old rock formations and the largest collection of dinosaur collections in the world that will stun any road trip planner.
"Riding through Drumheller and through the ghost town of Wayne (site of the Last Chance Saloon) is a great drive for people from around the world," says Cawthorn. One way is to leave Calgary and go north across the village of Beiseker, then take Highway 9 and stop at The Royal Tyrrell Museum and head down the valley to Wayne, he says. If you were to visit Wayne during September 9 to 11, you could attend Waynefest (Hair of the Dog 2005!), a groovy folk music gathering just hours from Calgary.
Go West In a Camper
Henriette van Ittersun at GoWest Campers says customers usually choose to go to Banff and use the Trans-Canada Highway to do so. You can travel the highway east to west across the province and find your way to a startling array of campsites and accommodations.
"It's amazing how the scenery can change when you travel through Alberta, that's something that people love to learn," she says, a gift for the road trip planner. "You'll find that out of the prairie something beautiful emerges."
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Copyright © 2006 Travel Alberta, All Rights Reserved
Travel Alberta is the destination marketing organization for the Province of Alberta. Guided by the Strategic Tourism Marketing Council, Travel Alberta is the steward for the effective delivery of tourism marketing programs. For information about our organization, please visit our Travel Alberta industry web site at http://www.travelalberta.com
