Recently we returned from a 10-day tour of the Canadian Rockies, and what a grand experience it was. There were 36 folks on the trip from all parts of the country-New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, Texas and California. And of our new friends were from all walks of life-World War II and Vietnam vets, doctors, nurses, psychologists, high school teachers, college professors, political activists, bankers, marketing types and several engineers.

We met in Vancouver, took the ferry to Victoria and boarded small float planes back to Vancouver, then an overnight train ride to Jasper, and on to Lake Louise, Banff and Calgary. Along the way, we saw spectacular scenery; walked on a glacier; took a raft trip down the Bow River; hiked to roaring waterfalls; and luckily spotted several black bear, numerous elk and a Grizzly bear. Grand experience indeed.

We started the tour as strangers, but by the time of our farewell dinner on the ninth day, we had become a family. One California couple in their late 70s had recently lost their spouses. The woman's husband, a combat veteran of the Normandy landing, had died two weeks after their emotional return to France to visit the battlefield. Her companion, a geologist, had gone to college with her husband and worked with him in the oil business for more than 30 years. And when his spouse died, he called on his old friend's widow, and they began dating. A recently married couple from Southern California got together after their spouses died suddenly. He gave up his orthodontist practice to become a stay-at-home mate. Life is beautiful.

Then there was the couple from New Hampshire. The man was a ruggedly handsome, muscular 6-foot-3-inch ex-Marine, Vietnam veteran and high school science teacher. When he returned from Nam, the doctors discovered he had bone cancer, and his left leg was amputated above the hip. His empty pant leg was rolled up neatly and he got around on crutches with suction cups on the bottom.

When he's back home in New Hampshire, he wears an artificial leg but it is very uncomfortable, since it is strapped to his waist. Our new friend was the most cheerful and upbeat person on the tour. When it was time to board the small float plane, he smiled, sat down and pulled himself up the steps and into the seat, then repeated the process after we landed. When we took the river raft trip, he managed to slide over the side of the raft, secure his crutches and then flop down on the floor of the raft. When we hiked up an incline, he was there with us. Never once did he ask for help, nor miss an opportunity to enjoy the splendor of the Canadian Rockies. Semper Fi.

When Frank isn't being thankful for his newfound friends, he can be reached at fburge@cmp.com.

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