Got up and checked out pretty early for us, 8:45 AM. (Mike here. I was singing Canadian Sunset in the shower and when I got out I played it off youtube for Edie)
We were a little worried about the storm that was supposed to be coming in and we wanted to make sure to get over the mountain before it got too bad.
For us we got an early start. Coming to the highway it looked like a ocean or lake in the distance.So we were off at 8:47 and it was 38 degrees.
We stopped in Whitefish, Montana at the Subway. I dropped Michael off so he could have breakfast there while I went a little further down the road to the Safeway to get cash and Starbucks coffee for us. (I also got me a slice of lemon pound cake for breakfast. Yummy.) We didn’t stop again until we got to Eureka, Montana for gas ($3.12).
I wonder what made that notch in the distant hills. I am thinking glacial action.It is a picturesque drive today.A flock of, I’m not sure, turkeys or vultures.
Topping off before we leave the Montana and the U.S.Not sure it was worth the effort, but it served as a bathroom break too.
The drive today was a little over 300 miles. (Edie drove the whole way!) It took approximately six hours, but we went slow and enjoyed the view. We got to see a few deer along the way. Right as we got to the Canadian border, we saw a bunch of big horn sheep grazing. Glad we finally got to see some up close and personal. We got through the border really quickly, except we had to throw away a huge apple we had bought in Montana. (Biggest one we’d seen.) Oh well. Also, right as we entered Canada, the rain started. Not horribly bad but enough you had to keep the wipers on most of the way.
Thought it would be a breeze, like always.Big horns feeding.I think they are showing off their sturdy legs.Routine except we lost an apple and were questioned about having been in West Africa, knowing anyone who has been in West Africa, been around Ebola, anyone with Ebola. Not being funny time, they were serious.We like Canadians.
The drive was beautiful. The colors in the rivers and lakes is such a beautiful green.
Beautiful green water.Love the green water. Hope to learn why it is green and not blue.
(So glad we have the Prius that changes from miles to kilometers.
Back on kilometers per hour. This is just a little over 62 miles per hour.
All the signs in Canada are in kilometers, and in French and English. Too fun.)
Green water and white cliffs.Lots of majestic views.
Edie liked this bridge.I like the fluffy clouds that lay against the hills and mountains.
Edie likes churches and steeples.
We stopped in Radium Hot Springs for a potty break. It was so funny because just as we came into town a bunch of big horn (really big horned) sheep were crossing, but they were crossing in the crosswalk. How polite is that? So typically Canadian. Love Canada. So many sheep in town just laying and grazing. We were told it was rutting season and that’s what brought them into town. They sure weren’t afraid of the cars or the people.
Interesting town.Edie was driving, looked at the pedestrian, who made eye contact with her.Edie stopped and the fellow proceeded.These Canadians are just too much, they are so polite and considerate.They train their wild big horn sheep to use the crosswalks.That is just plain overly polite.Nice sheep though.He made it across without controversy.Others politely dined on the grass.Others lazed, being sure to leave the driveways and sidewalks clear.The one on the sidewalk was clearly going somewhere, only stopped to pose for us.So polite.
Right outside of Radium Hot Springs we had to stop because we were entering Banff National Park. We told the lady we were staying in Banff for 7 days and she said okay, that will be $125.00. We were shocked but paid it. As we drove off we realized we were in Canmore so we stopped when we got to the other side of the park and had them credit our account back.
Dramatic entrance to the park, which is also the road to Banff and Canmore.We theorize these tunnels are overpasses for the animals.Dramatic clouds.So many miles of this fencing in the park. We think it is for the bears.We think pretty.Almost as pretty as Glacier.
We are not sure what animal this is we are looking out for.
We left British Columbia.We were above a mile high.Animal crossings.
We did drive through Banff. What a cute little town. Really looking forward to exploring it. ( It started snowing about the time we reached Banff.) We also went to the Banff Safeway and did some of our shopping.
We looked for a grocery store in Banff.What a fun looking town.Looks like lots of fun hotels, stores and eateries.Oh, and churches.
I liked the things on the roof to hold the snow, I think.An intersection where cars went north to south, Then the light changed and cars went east to west. The light changed again and pedestrians went any which way they wanted, across, diagonal, any way.
Edie loves copper, even fake copper.The town is very well kept and leads one to suspect there is money.
We found a Safeway. Edie loves paying a deposit to use a cart. Makes you put your cart all the way back to get your quarter back. The U.S. should do this.The food is expensive here.Labels are in English and French.We hit snow!
Our new home.Interesting town. Not quite Banff, but not far off.
We got to the Worldmark at about 4:00 PM. It’s a beautiful resort. Our “home” is pretty small but really nice. This is the first Worldmark we’ve been in that doesn’t have a washer/dryer, but it does have complimentary laundry facilities. We’re on the sixth floor and enjoying watching the snow fall. Our home does have a nice gas fireplace and is nicely decorated. We’ll be comfortable here and looking forward to many adventures.
Home.Grumpy with Dudley Do Wright.Beautiful bowls.Resort lobby.Fun table.Our one bedroom is cozy.
Hall cabinet.
Dining.Living room, with gas fireplace.Prius from our bedroom window, with the wipers in the up position.
The snow is really starting to fall and get deep. We’re both tired. The hot tub was calling and we went down for a soak. Such fun in the snow.
The pool outside our bedroom window.We went down. There is an indoor small hot tub.And you can walk into the pool from inside and swim out into the snow filled air for a swim in the pool.There is a very hot sauna.A big outdoor hot tub.It is fun to swim in the snow.
