Saturday July 29, Day 11

Starting trip meter: 3602
Starting time: 9:30 AM
Starting Location: Missoula, Montana

Arrived in Glacier National Park (GNP) around noon, and immediately were awed by the beautiful scenery that awaited us. Lake McDonald is crystal clear and the most beautiful aqua blue color. We had to stop and walk down to the edge of the water just to touch it. We came upon several falls and took so many pictures knowing full well, that unless you smell the trees, and hear the wind and the sound of the rushing water, they could not be fully appreciated.

One place had a bridge across the rushing waters, and as we were climbing up the path to our van, we were stopped by several people asking how our digital pictures turned out. They expressed a lot of interest in how we intended to use them on the web site, so we spent a few minutes showing them the pictures and found that they were in the area attending their Baird Family Reunion. We showed them how we had outfitted the van for our trip, and they were amazed. Nice folks, hope that they visit our site. To see the picture that we dedicate to them click here.

Spent the rest of the day driving along the “Going to the Sun Road”, which takes you to an elevation of approximately 9000 feet. Wouldn’t you know, that it would be my turn at the helm. We stopped at Logan Pass, and enjoyed our lunch looking over the glaciers, and Barney only had to drive down the mountain road from that point.

Leaving the park around 5 PM, we decided to try and find a campground for the evening, and were sorely disappointed with what was available. After checking several spots we headed on up the road to the next entrance to Glacier Park, and found the most incredible site with massive glacier mountains on both sides of us. We set up our lawn chairs, and fixed a toddy so that we could just sit quietly and soak in the view. Spectacular…… thank you God!

Took a walk toward the mountain in hopes of finding a stream, and came across grandparents who had brought two of their grandsons to discover nature. The boys had been fishing all day, and had a number of brook trout that they were going to have for breakfast. If only all children could experience this! Further along, we struck up a conversation with a nice gentleman, John Hall, who lived in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He was 80 years old, and he and his wife were also headed up to Alaska. He gave us his card, and invited us to stop and visit with them whenever we get to New Mexico.

Today’s weather: High in the 80s, low about 45 degrees. Blue skies all day.
Miles driven today: 237

Sunday July 30, Day 12

Starting trip meter: 3839
Starting time: 9 AM
Starting Location: Glacier National Park, Many Glacier Campground

Awoke at 6AM to lots of brightness outside the van. Pushed up the shade to find our mountain side completely bathed in sunlight. Just laid there for a long time enjoying the moment while Barney was nice enough to take the electric coffee pot into the men’s restroom so it could percolate. What a guy! We elected to bundle up in the chill of the morning and sit outside to soak in the view. There was little to do to clean up our site since there was no power or water and we had not cooked on the grill the night before.

We attended the Sunday worship service held out of doors, and thanked the good Lord for all of His many blessings bestowed on us, and our safe journey so far. Interestingly, the young woman who preached the sermon was a theological student in Delaware, Ohio, which is just above our hometown of Columbus, and another lady that was there was from London, Ohio, which is also just outside of Columbus. She told the group that she had been coming to the park for over 30 years and loved it.

We set out to the Waterton Lakes National Park, the Canadian sister park to Glacier National Park. At the border into Canada we were asked the usual questions and despite our best efforts to respond as good citizens, we were selected to have our van searched for contriband. Ha, were they ever in for a surprise! They were extremely polite, and after searching through all of the rooms in our “apartment”, even running the gazebo canopy and our electric blanket through their x-ray machine, decided it was a waste of time to have us open the car top carrier and search any further. Actually, we anticipated that we would be prime candidates for them to check and it gave us a chance to take a potty break.

The Waterton Lakes National Park did not compare at all to Glacier National Park except for Cameron Lake where we sat by the water and ate our lunch, and also the unique Prince of Wales Hotel that sat atop a hill overlooking a lake and the mountains in the distance. The hotel was built in the 1920s, and to nullify our disappointment that they were filled for the night, we elected to sit and have a cold drink and stare out at the beauty before us. We figured it was a good trade off since the rooms overlooking the lake and the mountains were over $300 per night. Another trip perhaps!

In Calgary we filled up our tank for the first time in Canada and it was a real shocker to see that it took 113.8 liters and the total came to $75.00. Whew! Of course, that is before converting to American dollars, but it tends to take your breath away. Roughly we think that equates to $1.715 per gallon in the USA.

One major thing that we have become aware of is that directional signs are few and far between, and sometimes even non-existent. The highway signs are much smaller and more difficult to read, especially when trying to be sure that we are within the proper speed limits in KM instead of MPH. All signs are in both English and French.

Found another great campground at the Sundance Lodge. They offered Teepees and trapper tents, in addition to renting RV sites. Fixed a great meal on our charcoal grill, and started to go for a walk before dark when we realized that it was already going on 11PM. It is strange to adjust your internal clock when it is still daylight so late in the evening.

Today’s weather: High in 80s Low in 50s
Miles driven today: 344

Monday July 31, Day 13

Starting trip meter: 4183
Starting time: 8:00 AM
Starting Location: Sundance Campground about half way between Calgary and Banff in the Kananaskis region.

Chilly this morning, and since we had no power, we packed up and drove on to Banff to find a hearty breakfast and our morning coffee. We rented a campsite for tonight even before doing any sightseeing and that allowed for a very relaxed day.

Banff is a picturesque town nestled in the middle of towering mountain ranges. We strolled the streets, checked out a few little shops and then headed up to the Sulpher Mountain Gondola which is referred to as the “Top of the World”. The 360 degree panorama is magnificent, and it was hard to leave such an incredible place. We wished out loud that our family and friends could some day experience the same views and feelings.

Went back to our site for a little rest with the intention of doing the remainder of the main street and dinner in town later. Barney worked on the web site and I cleaned up the van and read some of the material that we had accumulated along the way. While he was working away on the laptop which was on the picnic table, I heard footsteps and looked up to see an elk coming between ours and the next campsite. She grazed for some time and finally laid down nearby. At one point she came within 20 feet of us but we remained quiet and calm, and she moved on.

Enjoyed a great steak dinner at The Keg in town. While we were there a rainstorm passed through the area with strong winds and lightening. We were able to view it out the window, and although the restaurant lost it’s power for a while, they provided candlelight for the tables, and that plus our wine only added to the enjoyment of the evening. This was the first measurable rainfall that we have had on our entire trip.

Today’s weather: Great in Banff. High about 80 and low about 40.
Miles driven today: 82

Tuesday August 1, Day 14

Starting trip meter: 4265
Starting time: 9:45AM
Starting Location: Banff, Alberta

The drive up to Lake Louise was a feast for the eyes, and we stopped many times to take it all in. Lake Louise with it’s turquoise blue water, and the glacier field and mountains behind it were beautiful. We have to constantly pinch ourselves to be sure that all of this is real. The flowers in Canada are everywhere and their colors are so brilliant. They had planted large beds around the perimeter of the lake, and it added to the beauty.

Heading north on 93 to Jasper National Park was probably the most magnificent mountains so far, and that is really saying something. There were too many glaciers to count and the ranges just became more immense as we drove. We both agreed that the Canadian Rockies are far more impressive than those in the states. For those of you who have been here, you understand the emotions of the moment that we have felt. For those of you have not yet been here, we hope that you can come soon.

It is very cool and gusty today. Just before reaching the town of Jasper, we had some brief showers, and at the same time, it looked like it was snowing on the peaks.

So far, we are so glad with our decision to make do with the van. We watch others manipulate their trailers and RVs up and down the steep grades and navigate in parking lots, and we are grateful that we are as mobile as we are. Once set up though, they certainly live in luxury and we have enjoyed being invited to join them from time to time.

We stayed in Hinton, at an RV park that had a No Vacancy sign out front. While Barney was ringing the office bell, a man drove up in a pickup truck wearing a large straw hat, and introduced himself as “the office”. I explained to him that we were small and only needed power, and he agreed that we could pull up in the front yard and plug in if we liked. Sold! We had the largest and quietest site on his place and the use of all of the facilities. Tonight we grilled pork chops, baked yams and had green beans for dinner. What a life!

Barney prepared a spreadsheet today which allows us to be able to easily convert speed (MPH & KMPH), gallons and litres, Celsius and Fahrenheit, and Canadian / US dollars, etc. It has already come in handy.

Today’s weather: 70s/30s
Miles driven today: 256

Wednesday August 2, Day 15

Starting trip meter: 4521
Starting time: 9:15 AM
Starting Location: Hinton, Alberta just east of Jasper heading towards Edmonton.

For those who just want the facts; we have driven 4700 miles to this point. We have purchased 302 gallons of gasoline at a cost of $485. The average price per gallon has been $1.524 and the highest price that we have paid was $1.715. We are still about 1975 miles from Fairbanks.

The purpose of doubling back east to Edmonton is so that we can take care of a lot of chores today, stay in a motel so Barney can upload our information to the Internet, check our E-mail, do laundry, get haircuts (thanks to Colette I got a great haircut), etc. This may be the last large town we encounter before entering Alaska.

Today’s weather: Low upper 40s; high upper 60s. Cloudy all day.
Miles driven today: 188

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