Tuesday October 7. Leaving Banff - on to Calgary via Lake Louise.

No calls from the school or from Greg McKnight of the Tourism Bureau. Off to get the car from Avis.

The attendant at Avis had no notes about my car, but still managed to get me one for the day. The arrangement was very generous as it noted unlimited miles and no relocation charge. It felt good to be able to make these arrangements. On the way by 11 AM after dropping my summary of the Banff Plan (presented to Sheila Copps and rejected). I was on my way to leave it at the Mayors office, but I detoured into the newspaper office to see whether or not Shrri (the Editor) would be interested in my notes on the presentation. I noted on the presentation a number of activities that may be better included than excluded in such a presentation. I would think that the individuals involved in the presentation may well have considered all of what I have noted, but sometimes when information gets distilled in these informational processes, when it is completed, some issues of importance fall by the wayside - sometimes because they are obvious, and sometimes because they are not obvious. My additions would fall into one of those two areas of classification.

Some ideas pointed out. Focusing on using the Parks World Heritage designation from a "world educational perspective). In a sense their Banff Center is already such a thing, and it focuses on a lot of ideas that would be relevant. I did not get a chance to explore the Center, and in fact was advised that the politics of the experience at the Center was difficult to "grok" with. Taking this advise, and understanding the phenomena I did not spend any energy in this direction.

I also pointed out the possibility of using the energy of the Hot Springs and look into the potential of energy conversion for civic use. This could be in the way of education, but I suggested it in a practical way of using it on their transportation system. I am not certain of the current logistics on a unit of energy cost basis, but when one ways that cost against the educational value of such a creation, certainly one would have to argue against humanity not just this writer. That is the power of a World Heritage Park in that it can speak to the world - it can demonstrate to the world values relating to sustainability. Our government has signed all such agreements on the world stage that should enable this idea - unfortunately we have the mindset of Sheila Copps at the lever that writes the letters on Sustainability - and she refuses to write them. (I wonder why?)

So I left these notes with the paper with instructions to deliver the document to Ted Harts' office after Sherri has gleaned from my notes what she might wish to look at. Feeling a little uncomfortable when the front desk secretary informed me that the Paper would not be my delivery service, I walked passed her to the sales manager whom I had had a discussion with two days prior she agreed to deliver to Sherri with my added instruction. I left feeling that I should complete with the Secretary at the front desk, but was unable to convince myself it would be time well spent.

On my way up to Lake Louise I gave two hitchhikers a lift. One a chef from Toronto (Steve) and the other Juniper, a self confessed cowboy who arrived on this planet by spontaneous combustion. Notwithstanding his unique form of entry to the planet, his father is a well known Biologist Writer, Willard is his name, writing about herbs and biology is his game. I wonder how he connects to Steven Aung?

After a short visit to Chateau Lake Louise, I headed off for Calgary. Interesting how the mountains give way to the foothills and the foothills to Calgary. I arrived a little early for my meeting with Lewis Levin who was going to host me that evening. I went to the Internet Office of the Board of Education of Calgary, over to the Mayors office, over to the Library to review the website. Using Telnet is getting to be second hand for me, but I do not like the graphics it generates. Jason at the desk helped me get on the site and was I thrilled to see the pages of my trip up. I need to redesign the front page, and learn how to do what I am setting out to do. Design an integrated website.

Finishing off I went out for a bite to eat and check messages back home. After dinner, could not find my car! It took me 2 hours to find it, and a $10 cab ride. This was an interesting lesson in dealing with frustration, and the streets in Calgary are certainly designed to facilitate this experience. Between the one way only, no way only, left only, right only, no cars and other signs I could not piece together in my mind where the car was. After going through this experience and sharing my angst with a cab driver, we finally located the car. I went to telephone Lewis, but he had gone out. I took a drive over to his house, but no lights were on so I decided the best thing to do was to catch a plane to Vancouver. And I almost did. I got to the airport and pulled the car into general parking. As I pulled in - I got a flat tire. - Over to the Avis Office and discussed my alternatives. They agreed to give me a new car if I couldn't fly out. I went over to the ticket counters and Canada 3000 had a plane leaving in thirty minutes and if I could be back in seven I could get on the plane as stand-by. I ran and was back in six minutes. I got the help of one of the Avis drivers - who really brings credentials to their credo _ We try harder. We got there, but the guys on the plane who were unaware of our plight had a rule to not accept any more passengers. Tough luck, but it gave me a chance to go and get some rest. I found an Econo-Lodge that put me up for the night and the girl on the front desk A( from Mississauga) did the best she could for me. I would have to talk with the Manager Freda in the morning to get what is now becoming my normal discount.

Made some calls to Vancouver and tried to make arrangements for the next few days. It is different without a car. But sleep is deep just the same.