D18 05/16/24 HIKING AND SOME MORE SPECTACULAR SCENERY

 

Waterton Lakes National Park is an amazing amusement of nature. No way could we have anticipated what we experienced today. We knew the scenery would be amazing and it of course blew us away. 

The hikes we did today … were so amazing. We went out to Red Rock Parkway and hiked the Red Rock Canyon. It’s a very unique canyon with its vivid colors and natural beauty. Then we hiked out to Blakiston Falls. Exquisite views! The walkways and view points were so perfectly placed. The welding workmanship was beyond perfection. Of course I would notice! Found a few rocks to stand on along the way. 

Came back to camp to retrieve Jett. She had done some more housekeeping for us while we were out. LOL Then we all drove out the Akamina Parkway! Drove as far as we could to where the was road closed until the winter snow melt finishes. On our return to basecamp we made a quick visit to Tamarack Outdoors. Tamarack is a fabulous outdoor gear specialist with tons of selection and they also offer guided hikes in the area. 

What a fabulous first full day that we had in Canada! 🇨🇦 

Wildlife viewed:

Big Horn Sheep

Mountain Goats

Mule Deer (more)

Grouse 

Prairie Dogs

Barrow’s Goldeneye Duck

D17 - 05/15/24 OH CANADA!!! 🇨🇦

 

What a great day and a huge hurtle to get through. We took our time getting ready to depart Glacier National Park. Had hot percolated coffee on the stovetop and a hot breakfast. We have put this section of Glacier National Park back in the bucket to come back to. So much more to do and see here! 

As much as I had not been looking forward to the International Border crossing into Canada it turned out to be easy. Today was the first day that this border crossing was opened for the season. Our customs agent looked at our passports, asked us a number of questions and we were on our way in less than two minutes. 

Our stop for the next four nights is Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. It’s the world first International Peace Park. The drive here was just over an hour. We stopped just shy of Waterton Park to have a light charcuterie-style lunch. Just spectacular scenery to view! 

The entire town including the campground is getting ready for a big Holiday weekend celebration … Victoria Day! Not many here yet and not much opened. We were the first to arrive in our camping loop. By night fall two others had arrived. By this weekend the place should be packed. 

After we arrived and got set up a quick trip to town was in order. Needed to get familiar with the town and make a stop at the Waterton Lakes NP Visitor Center. We got a ton of good information including where some great hikes are. 

The town is beautiful. The campground is amazing and right on the lake. It has everything you would need:

full-service sites, showers, food storage and kitchen shelters. We need kitchen shelters in Florida minus the wood burning stoves. LOL It’s a short walk to town and hiking trails right here next to our campground loop. Tomorrow we hope to get a few hikes in! 

Wildlife sightings:

Grouse 

Mule Deer

(everywhere)

D16 - 05/14/24 MANY GLACIER

 

Today’s plan was to head back into town to hit the laundromat. Almost forgot to change shoes! Thanks for calling me out Tim. The laundromat was at a campground in Saint Mary. But first we wanted to stop at the NP Visitor Center.  It was closed. The other campground … closed. Laundry at campground … closed. About the only thing open was Kip’s Beer Garden. Love it!! 

Plan B was totally ready to be activated and put into place. And actually so excited that the laundromat was not open otherwise we would have missed Many Glacier Hotel and Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.  

Both are charmingly rustic. They say this area is the Switzerland of North America. Many Glacier Hotel is the largest and grandest of the hotels in Glacier National Park. It was the showpiece of the Great Northern Railways hotels in the park back in the day. I just can’t even describe what we saw. Even with drizzling rain and being overcast. Mind blowing landscape. 

Lucky that while we were out exploring we found today’s rock. Found it right after seeing the black bear at the hotel. Then we drove back by our camp and continued onto the Going To The Sun Road! Knew we could drive a few miles but they had actually opened 14 miles of GTTSR on this eastern side. Definitely a different look to the landscape in winter as opposed to when we were here last in summer. 

Super excited! Tomorrow morning we cross the International border into Canada!! 🇨🇦 We spent the afternoon getting all documents and passports in one place. Jett’s papers are all organized. That way we are ready at the Canadian border with any questions they may have. Our communications might be less moving forward but once back online we will always update any missed daily posts. Our Starlink will be set-up as needed. 

Tim’s phone while in Canada will not be available. Please email him or call/text me. Or use messenger to contact me! 

Wildlife sightings today:

Black Bear

Moose

Canada Goose

Herd of Elk (2)