Farther north into Canada

June 15 - 19 - Days 7 - 12

Since we last posted, we drove across Montana which allowed us to witness numerous beef cattle ranches and the wide open country side.  No wonder they call it Big Sky country.  Prices are an indication that you are getting more remote.  We drove up along beautiful Flathead Lake then stopped in Kalispell, MT for the night.  As we approached Canadian Customs & Border Protection, we were prepared with our passports as well as a list of food items we were transporting.  I had read on the internet about how the Canadian Customs agents have RV travelers pull over then board their rv’s to search for illegal items, such as handguns, certain fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh meat.  So we were ready, making sure what we were carrying would pass.  As it turned out, the agent asked me a few questions and sent us on our way.  Maybe crossing on a Sunday morning made a difference.

We made our way to Radium Hot Springs, BC, a place recommended by a friend of mine who had lived in Canada for part of his life.  This natural hot springs was a welcome treat after driving eight hours.  For US$5.00, you can spend as much time relaxing in the 102° pool, or go over to the ‘cool’ pool of 94°.  

Most everyone thinks BC stands for British Columbia, but the locals told me it really means Bring Cash as prices are very expensive.  The cost of a gallon of gas today was US$5.41.  After spending the night in a nearly deserted Provincial Park, we continued on to Lake Louise, AB.  Here we hiked ~4 miles while it rained most of the time.  But the view of Lake Louise and Lake Agnes was worth it.  The color of the glacier lakes looks almost fake, but the color of them is just as you see it in the pictures below.

A view of Lake Louise on the hike to the top where the tea house is located beside Lake Agnes

Same lake higher up on the trail nearer the tea house.

 

Mirror Lake, another mountain lake on the way up to the tea house.

The tea house is in the log cabin structure in the background.






After Lake Louise we continued on up to Lake Peyto along Canada Hwy 93.  There is snow on the mountains around Lake Peyto nine months out of the year.

Our view of Lake Peyto

As we continued on, we stopped for lunch.  Not a bad view for lunch time!





When lunch was over and we started moving again, we saw some cars stopped on the highway, which is almost a sure sign of wildlife.

We took a short hike (5 miles) near the British Columbia Welcome Center to Lake Kinney which was at the base of Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies.

I did not get to finish up where we were yesterday because the library was closing, so here is the rest of yesterday's post. We are in Chetwynd, BC, half way between Prince George and Dawson Creek, where the village hosts an annual chainsaw carving competition where the competitors come from all over the world.  We arrived two days after the competition, but the carvings contained unbelievable detail.  We are now on to Dawson Creek to continue our trip north.  No shortage of rain and cool air up here.