Day 16 Cochrane, AB

We are still in Cochrane, AB. Pam and Lon went to the Calgary Stamped. Funny how Yankees are intrigued with rodeos. We stayed home for a "Heidi Day". They have a great dog park right behind the RV park, on the Bow River.

Heidi went fishing.

She had some help.

She made a lot of new friends on the trail.

Must have had too much fun, became a lap dog again.

I couldn't help noticing the hill side. I figure these Canucks build that close for warmth.

Back home, still the lap dog routine. She loves her Mom.

Pam got this picture at the Stampede.  CHARLIE you need more shit!

Off to Lake Louise tomorrow.

Day 15 Glacier National Park to Cochrane, AB

After the scenic overkill at Glacier National Park yesterday, we got back to the campground in the rain to this.....not really a rainbow....more a rain streak.

                        But, whatever it was, we celebrated  it with 2 flavors of  summer sausage and cheese.

We got on the road early this morning. Bout 9:30. A stop at the gas station first, because it will be much higher in Canada.

We stoped at the customs place going in to Canada, only because I was told that they get real upset if you don't. It was a terrible experience! They wanted to know about my guns, my wife, my criminal record. HELL, I don't even know these people! 

BUT ... they did welcome us.

After we got away from the cops at customs, I decided that I really liked Canada. The speed limit is 110! Fuel is $1.10! You can't beat that.

The next 200 km (or whatever) was rolling hills and farm land. We think this yellow stuff  is clover.

Pam took this pic of a rather unique building. Not sure what it is.

BUT, this Guy has 2 of them!

We finally got through all the traffic in Calgary and landed at the Bow Rivers Edge Campground. We were lucky to get in as the Calgary Stampede is going on.

After we got settled in, Pam and Lon went to Safeway and Heidi went fishing in the Bow River.

Lon made tacos.

And all ate well!

Tomorrow Pam and Lon are going to the Stampede and Gail, Heidi, and I are going to take a "dayoff"... MAYBE.

Day 14 Glacier National Park

Off to drive through Glacier National Park on the 55 mile Road to the Sun.  It is the first day it has been open this season.  A beautiful, sunny day we started early (for us) at 9:30 a.m. 

 (To enlarge a photo click on it, to super-enlarge it click again)





Scenery is spectacular.

A mule deer meandered by for a late breakfast.  She didn't seem too concerned with us.

We ran into this fellow on his way to the Arctic Circle.  He was cooking his breakfast at the side of the road.  His bed was still made up in the back seat of his car.  We're all pretty sure we will run into him again along the way.

This guy was actually in the parking lot of the Visitors Center at Logan's Pass.

A Park Ranger had to shoo him across the road away from the mob of tourists armed

with cameras.

Some of his friends were waiting higher up.

The last of the snow was removed only yesterday, thus first day of road opening today.

Melting snow along the road was like driving through a waterfall.

And speaking of waterfalls....they are everywhere

A quick stop at the Lake McDonald Lodge.  Red open-topped touring cars carry tourists across the Road to the Sun.  (We enjoyed driving our own car so we could stop wherever and whenever we wanted)

Boat trips on Lake McDonald were also available

A rest stop to stretch our legs and breathe in the clean crisp air.

This Falcon was sitting on the river bank fishin' as Heidi would say.

Beautiful wild flowers everywhere you look.  These are called beargrass.

What a great country we live in.  We'll be leaving it tomorrow for Canada....but we'll be back soon!!!!!!  

Good Night Y'all

Day 13 - Great Falls, MT to Glacier Nat'l Park, MT

           

Not a good way to start the day. Water heating system was leaking

and was expecting to spend a day in the shop.

Luckily, Lon found the problem and it was an easy fix.

 Lon can be a pretty handy guy to have around.

We've had several people ask "Where does Heidi ride?" 

Now ya know. Toys in the floor, comfy pillows and big windows on 3 sides.

Just don't get much better than this. Unless we stop at a lake of course.

She's about to go to sleep.

 Pink clover. Picture doesn't do justice





 Rest stop.

A couple of horses escaped.

Gail is going to teach us all what to do in case of a bear encounter.

We have a bear bell and bear spray. We're good to go!

 . We were told tomorrow (hopefully) is the first day Going-to-the-Sun-Road opens this season.

They just got the winter snow cleared off the road!

Is that timing or what? Watch for pictures!

Day 12 Little Bighorn to Great Falls, MT


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Our home for the night at 7th Ranch RV Camp, which is a working ranch.
You can see forever in Montana. I know now why they call it "Big Sky Montana".



We started our day with a tour of Little Bighorn Battlefield.
General George Custer and 262 of his men, strongly out numbered, were massacred on June 25, 1876.
The Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians lead by Chief Sitting Bull were fighting to preserve their traditional way of life as nomadic buffalo hunters. The US Army was carrying out the Grant Administrations instructions to remove the Lakota, Sioux and Cheyenne peoples to the great Sioux Reservation in Dakota Territory.
These are a couple of headstones scattered around the battlefield. They are placed where each soldier or warrior died that day.
The white headstones are US Army and the red are for the Indian warriors.

A couple of modern day natives take a ride. Not uncommon to see men and women on horseback in Montana.







Left our camp at 11:30 headed for Great Falls. It was a long 334 miles.

Arrived at Dick's RV Park around 6:30 pm. Tomorrow on to Glacier Nat'l. Park.