Travel the USA

After the country re-opened after Covid-19, we are
"On the Road Again."
Please enjoy the 'armchair travels' and feel free to make comments.

In September of 2019, we made the
'epic' trip to the east coast for the first birthday of our grandson Evan.
Since Evan's birthday is in September, we decided to join a 29 day RV Caravan for the New England fall color. The tour starts in Maine and ends in Niagara Falls. All told, we did about 12,000 miles with the new truck and trailer.

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Waterton Lakes National Park (Canada)

Last stop in Canada


Cameron Lake in the
Waterton Lakes National park.



The "YOU ARE HERE" on the top of the right picture is where 
we viewed the lake.
The bottom of the picture/lake on the right  is the US border into Montana,


A short hike on the trail -
I don't know if we could walk across the border 
to Montana at the far end of the lake.
( but, we didn't carry our passports)


The Prince of Wales Hotel
was constructed in 1927 and designated a National Historic Site of Canada 
in 1992.

The servers and bellmen all wear the traditional Welsh kilts.

The iconic Canadian landmark is situated on a bluff and looks out onto the fabulous Waterton Lake.
The border is half way down this lake.

You can see all the way to Montana and Glacier National Park 
from the huge floor-to-ceiling windows at this lakeside hotel and restaurant.


We 'barely' caught this wildlife photo.

Camping was safe.


The next morning could have been awful because we were all stopped 
because of the Microsoft faulty update.
Fortunately, it was only a half hour, but we think they just took our numbers, wrote them down and let us through! 
(after they took our tangerines😠)

Yes, we are glad to be back in the US.




Thursday, July 25, 2024

Another Incredible Scenery!




Bruce and Ev treated us to another valley of gorgeous scenery.
Kananaskis Valley or 
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
This is the 'other end' of the Canmore Scenic Drive that we took.


We stopped to see this Rock Glacier
The simplest  definition of a Rock Glacier is a landform of moving ice that is covered in rocks and debris that protect the ice from melting.



We were looking for the "Rock Rabitt" or Pika
among the rocky hillside.
We did see one, but it disappeared among the rocks.


This rock looks like it has been scrubbed by the glacial ice.



Pikas live in the rocks, and come feed on the grass and flowers.


Rugged rocks and thick green forests

Lush green valleys


Bruce found another lovely lunch spot.
 


Ev packed a great picnic and we enjoyed watching the folks enjoying 
the water sports.


Then, Bruce wanted to take a short hike to the waterfall.
It was .6 mile ( but felt much longer)


We made it!!

There was another small lake further up the trail, but the other hikers said they spotted 3 Grizzlys
(no, we didn't proceed)

Kananaskis trail closed after multiple grizzly bears spotted in the area


Beautiful views on the way down
and another fantastic day!


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Monday, July 22, 2024

Okotoks, Alberta with our friend Bruce and Ev Pitts.

A day with Bruce and Ev south of Calgary Alberta 
The Canadian Bomber Command Museum
Great planes of WW2

The British Lancaster
similar to the B-17

When the Lancaster crashed in this French village, the people of the village rescued and hid the surviving airmen from the Nazi's 
and enabled them to evade capture.

This picture reminded me of the villages in France that we visited with Lou's dad on the "memory lane" trip to Normandy to revisit where he served.

The French people of that region are so grateful to this day for  help they received during the war.  When we visited these villages, Lou's dad was in a wheel chair, and the french ladies would come and throw their arms around him and 
greet with a big "Merci"


MOSQUITO - 
The Wooden Wonder

It was the lightest, strongest, fastest bomber in  WWII
It could fly 400 mph, and had the ability to hit a target with pinpoint accuracy.


The museum is rebuilding these planes from all salvaged pieces.
Constructed from plywood and balsa wood.





There are many volunteers in woodworking that gather here weekly.
We were very lucky to be admitted into this workshop area.
Ev said it has not happened before.


Snow Birds - Canadian version of The Blue Angels


Famous Alberta Landscape
(there are so many of these beautiful Canola fields)

BIG ROCK
another tourist attraction with both scientific and spiritual explanation.

Basically, this huge rock of quartz fell onto a glacier in a past ice age and was transported from Jasper (some 300 miles north) then the ice melted and left it here.







If you'd prefer the Indian legend, this is it.



Another great day, fully packed!















Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Stampede Finals

 It has been quite the week!

You'll never be bored if you sign up with Fantasy RV Tours.






Our Milford hero, Cody Wright - 2006 and 2008.






Barrel Racing Champion


Bronze statue and a check for $50,000 for the winners in each category with smaller amounts for the next 3 finishers. 


Lots of acknowledgement of the native tribes 
throughout the Stampede.


And it ends with a bang!
The Grand Finale





The skies light up with a drone shows.


It's been a great time
(even if exhausting!😀)