Journal of a Lifetime (Journals of Love) Read Online Free PDF Page A

with only a few clouds.
    Just as the thought entered her mind, the captain spoke to the passengers, his deep voice resonating confidence throughout the cabin. “We’ve begun our descent and will be arriving at the gate in twenty minutes. The local time here is seven after nine in the morning, so set your watch. The weather is a balmy seventy-eight degrees with highs in the nineties expected today. Thank you for traveling with us, and we look forward to seeing you on another flight in the future.”
    Using her few remaining minutes in the air, Lindsey returned to her journal to learn a little more about Calgary.
    She read that the town contained the Bow and Elbow rivers, and that originally it had been established as a fort by the Northwest Mounted Police. Her points of interest on this trip were Banff Park, Sulphur Mountain, Lake Minnewanka, Lake Louise, the town of Jasper, and various places in between. In an effort to not get overwhelmed, she closed the journal and put it back into her purse. She wanted to enjoy this trip one moment at a time.
    The flight landed without any drama. She exited the plane and made her way toward the doors near the taxi stands. As she walked closer she saw a man dressed in orange pants and a red polo shirt with the Sun Dog Tour Company’s logo. He was holding a large sign with her name written on it, his sun-lightened hair down to his shoulders, and round glasses which reminded her of John Lennon’s signature pair.
    “Hi, I’m Lindsey Waters,” she said to him.
    When he smiled, his bleached-white teeth were the first thing she noticed. “Welcome to Calgary, Ms. Waters!” he shouted with excitement. “I’m Don. Let me carry your bag for you.” As he reached for her carry on, Lindsey noticed that his whole body seemed to be alive with energy, as if he couldn’t move fast enough.
    “Thank you, Don.”
    Lindsey hadn’t ever seen this much enthusiasm from someone in the service industry. Lindsey had to hurry to keep up with him as Don walked toward the exit. He led her through the airport and outside to the tour bus. She climbed the steps and was surprised to see that she was one of the last to arrive.
    “Getting an early start?” she asked Don as he climbed in behind her.
    “Yes, ma’am. This group from New York arrived about fifteen minutes ago. We’re still waiting on one more traveler, so make yourself comfortable.” He pointed toward a seat in the back.
    Don sat in the driver’s seat and picked up the microphone. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” he began. “I am Don, as most of you know by now. We’re waiting for Steve to return with our remaining passenger, and then we’ll be on our way to the Banff Rocky Mountain Resort. Does anyone have any questions for me while we’re waiting?” He shifted the weight of his body from foot to foot as he waited for a response.
    A middle aged man wearing gray shorts and a black T-shirt that read “I can burp my ABC’s” stretched over his protruding beer belly cleared his throat as if in an attempt to get everyone’s attention. “This is our first trip to Calgary,” he said. “Can you tell us which restaurants are the best?”
    Lindsey stifled a laugh. To her, eating was a necessity, not a luxury. She was happy to eat a peanut butter sandwich and then get on with the rest of her day.
    “Yes sir, we have a brochure with recommendations that I can get for you. That reminds me . . . ” Don stood. “I would like to pass out the welcome packets that contain brochures, maps, emergency phone numbers, and discount coupons.”
    While Don passed the bags around, Steve returned with their final passenger.
    Lindsey would never have been able to describe the final passenger, but the details about Steve, like his brown wavy hair, tanned face, and green eyes, would remain imprinted in her memory. He was also dressed in the company’s orange pants and red polo shirt, but on him, the shirt only accentuated his tanned skin and