Travel day in Alberta

5/25/2016 Wednesday   Start: Waterton NP, Alberta, CN  End: Cochran, Alberta, CN

We had an easy day today.  We stopped in Ft McLeod to see the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Barracks and then on to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump.  They were interesting but overpriced, lesson learned, check to price of attractions ahead of time.  

We drove onto Cochran to a beautiful RV park with full hookup and our own little lawn.  The weather was sunny and comfortable and cooled off once we got settled in. We’re onto Banff and Jasper National Parks for the rest of the week.  I’ll post an update if I have a connection.  No pictures today, mostly farmland and grass prairie as far as the eye could see.

Waterton National Park is not to be missed

5/24/2016  Tuesday  Start: Glacier National Park, MT   End: Waterton National Park, Alberta, CN

Of course, the day we leave the sun came out and the mountains were glorious! 

Morning at St Mary's Campground

As we drove to cross the border at Port of Chief Mountain we were presented with soaring peaks with their tips covered in snow.  The border crossing was uneventful, with some paperwork for Mike’s shotgun completed in short order. 

We are staying one night at Waterton National Park, Alberta, Canada.  It is high end, with hot showers (yeah!), full hook ups, spacious parking and drop dead gorgeous scenery.  I can’t get enough of the mountains!  

We took a 4 km hike to the Bertha Falls.  

border crossing

Bertha Falls 

My hiking buddy!

view from the trail to the falls

We walked to the village that adjoins the park and had some huckleberry frozen yogurt.  Later we luxuriated in the hot water of the showers and had a home cooked meal.  Mike did the laundry while I cleaned house and baked some cornbread.  Mike then got to watch some TV and I figured out the wi-fi to bring our posts up to date while sitting in the recliner outside in the evening sun.  Absolute heaven.

Glacier National Park

5/21/2016 Saturday through Monday 5/23/2016 Glacier National Park

We left Great Falls, Montana and drove through fog and freezing rain until we reached St Mary’s Campground in Glacier National Park.  We stayed for 3 nights in the park, exploring from our base camp in the jeep.

Our first night, Saturday, we spent most of the day trying to find a leak in the toilet.  Mike discovered the flange and seal were rusted out so we used the campground facilities until we could get the parts to repair it.  Ah, yes, the joys of RV living!  Thank goodness Mike can fix anything.

We had a great view out the main window at St Mary’s Campground near the East entrance to the park.

Sunday was rainy, windy and cold but we braved the elements to drive the Going to the Sun Road 13 miles from the east side.  We also went to Many Glacier and got cold and wet taking a short walk to try and see St. Mary Falls.  We settled in about 4pm for the day, the RV rocked by the wind and pelted by the rain. 

St Mary River near campground

View of the mountain to the north from camp at dusk

Monday we struck out early to go to the west side of Glacier National Park.  Unfortunately, with all the rain a culvert had collapsed so we weren’t able to take the Going to the Sun Road from the west side.  We had to get parts for the toilet in Kalispell after which we came back to camp.  The view along the way was awe inspiring, despite the rain. 

Our campsite at St Mary's campground

View from the Going to the Sun road east side

Waterfall along highway to West Glacier

Lake Mary from Going to the Sun Road

Tomorrow, we cross the border to Canada.