Three Wrong Turns and the Snow

May 9, 2009 Saturday
I was going to “Blog “ yesterday, but was too tired. This job is tough, what ..? no sympathy! Got snow -ed outa Glacier National Park, yesterday AM, pretty, but cold and windy. I was the only one in “town” (everyone else had enough sense not to go there after 3 -5 feet of snow a few days before) (but who knew?) Then, I took the back way into Alberta… ok, I should have known better. Made three wrong turns, couldn’t find an open camp ground. The backing up the narrow roads, after finding closed gates, is always a lot of fun in the rain/snow. Then I missed the turn in Fort MacCleod,AB for my camp ground. So…I ended up in Calgary. Loved the rush hour traffic, they loved me too hauling my trailer. Don’t ask for any international favors there for a while. Or atleast don’t admit you are from Maine.
So this morning I wondered “where can I find more snow”….I am now in Banff, AB , at the Tunnel Mountain National park. Camped, so to speak, at 5000ft. When I pulled in. the response is when they see the truck plates (always happens) “Gee your along way from Home” but here they end with an “ehh”. Yep (I say), aayuh.
You don’t want to know how beautiful this place is. But I’ll tell you anyway. My view out the window of the trailer is drop dead breath taking. The Bow River valley is winding out in front of me between the mountains, which of course, are snow covered. My pic is of the girls and part of the view. Gretta is in second heaven as praire dogs (what are they doing up here?) are burrowed right in front of our site). They have to be kept tie here..for real…there are plenty of big mammals here and the bears are coming out from their winter ‘sleep”…hungry. So, we are actually following the rules.
On a social observation note: the Canadian hwys are better than ours, their western towns look more prosperous, I don’t see as many obese people, but the gas is a buck more and the cheerios are $4.50 a box.. The local radio stations were fed up with all the hype with the H1N1 bug, however, some said keep the yanks out, well be safe. Go figure.
I’m going to stay here a couple of days. Let the girls have a break from the truck. Do some hikes, well better go…hey..there’s an Elk walking up in front of our trailer! Wow….