Day 17 Cochrane, AB to Lake Louise, AB

We left Cochrane this morning, bright and early, bout 10:30... Right after removing the bug remains from the windshield. If we don't, they blur the pictures.

After a stop at a tire store to adjust our tire pressures to 115 psi, we found that their compressor only went to 100 psi. So we headed to the Canadian Rockies with only 110 psi. Figure it will go up with heat and alttitude.

On the way to the mountains, at interstate speeds, a car with 2 bicycles on the roof passed us just in time to lose one of the bikes. It was ugly, but we escaped.

Rest stop to take in the scenery.

Came across what I thought were leftover hippies. Actually they flew in from Irland and bought the van for their vacation.

Back on the road.

 

We finally landed at the Lake Louise campground.

We got settled in and headed for Lake Louise. We discovered it was "National Park Day" here in Canada. There were 164,836 people at Lake Louise. We passed on that and changed our plan. Off to Bow Valley Parkway.

Stopped along the way .

Kids will be Kids!

Castle Mountian.

We were all there.

 

THEN our first bear encounter!

There's Yogi

And Boo Boo too.

Then we headed on to Banff

A big hotel

Down town Banff

Leaving Banff we saw a very healthy looking coyote, but everyone was drinking beer and couldn't find the camera. Tomorrow we go to Lake Louise.

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