I had so much fun last week researching some of the strange but true facts about our wonderful country, I have to share some more frivolous information I uncovered during my search. I am so proud of our country that I occasionally get offended by some of the silly questions that are asked by tourists, but these really take the cake. The bulk of the questions have been asked by Banff Park tourists at the information kiosks managed by Parks Canada staff. Please enjoy.
- How do the elk know they’re supposed to cross at the “Elk Crossing” signs?
- At what elevation does an elk become a moose?
- Are the bears with collars tame?
- Is there anywhere I can see the bears pose?
- Is it okay to keep an open bag of bacon on the picnic table, or should I store it in my tent?
- I saw an animal on the way to Banff today – could you tell me what it was?
- Are there birds in Canada?
- Did I miss the turnoff for Canada?
- Where does Alberta end and Canada begin?
- Do you have a map of the State of Jasper?
- Is this the part of Canada that speaks French, or is that Saskatchewan?
- If I go to B.C., do I have to go through Ontario?
- Which is the way to the Columbia Ricefields?
- How far is Banff from Canada?
- What’s the best way to see Canada in a day?
- Do they search you at the B.C. border?
- When we enter B.C. do we have to convert our money to British pounds?
- Where can I buy a raccoon hat? ALL Canadians own one, don’t they?
- So it’s eight kilometres away… is that in miles?
- Is that two kilometres by foot or by car?
- Where do you put the animals at night?
- Tourist: “How do you get your lakes so blue?” Park staff: “We take the water out in the winter and paint the bottom.” Tourist: “Oh! “‘How did they get Lake Louise to turn blue?’
- “We drain it every week and refill it with blue dyed water”
- “I’ve actually seen tourists coming across the border in the summer with skis on the roof of their cars. Apparently there’s some magical line where winter never ends up here.”
- “Why, when I insert my American bank card in an ATM machine, does it give me Canadian money?”
- “What time do they turn on the Northern Lights?”
- “‘How do you guys keep the glaciers white during the summer? Do you have to paint them?’ “Of course, Job creation I’d say, keeps us all working during the summer.”
- I have a question about a famous animal in Canada, but I forget its name. It’s a kind of big horse with horns.
- “So, how do you guys keep your teeth? I’ve heard the cold snaps them off.”
- “Do the bears really like honey?
- “If I hike along the train tracks can I get to Toronto in a day?”
- “Do they turn the hot springs off at night?”
- “On which side of the continental divide does the water flow uphill?”
- “What is the white stuff on top of the mountains?”
There you have it – some laughter to keep you going for the week.