Trip Report
Despite rain showers and an erupting volcano, 27 happy-go-lucky Obsidians left Eugene on June 8, bound for a train ride and sight-seeing in British Columbia. John O'Connell was at the wheel of the red carpet O'Connell Enterprises bus with Faith Fisher as our charming escort.
Arriving in Vancouver around 6 p.m., we found our way to English Bay and the Denman Inn. Here, in this 35 story luxury hotel, everyone had suites consisting of sitting room, bedroom and kitchen.
We had to really rush to make the 7:30 a.m. departure time of the British Columbia railroad. Safely settled in our car of the train, we wound our way through some very gorgeous scenery. First there was the narrow gorge of the Cheakamus Canyon, then climbing higher, we went through the ski country and passed a number of lakes with mountains silhouetted in the background. By the time we arrived at Lilloet, divisional point on the Railway dry belt, we had been served a tasty breakfast and quiche for lunch.
We had all begun noticing increasing heat, and soon it was announced that the air conditioning had malfunctioned and that we would be changing cars.
Due to the delay, we were several hours late arriving at Ranch 108, but we enjoyed a delicious buffet-style roast beef dinner and our private patios overlooking the golf course and lakes.
The scenery was even more spectacular on the return trip the next day with bright sunshine. The following morning John drove us downtown to Pacific Center Mall where we explored the many shops and large department stores. After lunch we went to the Bloedel conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park where we saw many tropical plants and numerous birds. It is a very colorful sweet smelling area covered by a huge triodetic dome.
Then we drove to Stanley Park and visited the zoo and aquarium. After a drive along the Bay through the park, we returned to our hotel. All of the following, with the exception of Bette Hack, who remained behind for a visit with her aunt, returned home the next day:
Julia Barnhill, Mary Bridgeman, Ruth Brunk, Ella Carrick, Buck Carter, Grace Carter, Gladys Grancorvitz, Bette Hack (leader), Laura Hayes, Vera Heidenreich, Jane Hilt, Jean Maxwell, Elwina Meacham, Ola Merrell, Dr. Fred Miller, Dr. Marian Miller, Frances Newsom, Daisie Niccolls, Liz Officer, Janice Pattison, Mel Pattison, Hazel Peck, Bertha Richardson, Betty Stamm, Mildred Weatherby, Helen Weiser (leader), Ruth Williams, John O'Connell, bus driver and Faith Fisher, Grand National Tour Escort.