Life is a Highway

Friday, August 5th
We left Wyoming with thoughts of heading to Devil's Tower National Monument and also over to the Badlands National Park.  There are two camping areas in the Badlands National Park, one with water and one without.  We were thinking of opting to have the with water option.  Along the way, we saw many prong horned antelope.

We got to Devil's Tower but decided the $10 to drive right up next to it wasn't worth it.  After all, the temperature was in the 90s and for the first time in a while, we were experiencing high humidity.  Nothing lost though, the views from outside the park were great.

 Please note the large, building clouds in the background.  We'll talk more about that later.
We left Devil's Tower & proceeded into South Dakota.  Herds of leather-clad motorcyclists were spotted all along the road.  It is the Sturgis Rally weekend.  Wishing to check out some additional scenery, we exited Interstate 90 and traveled instead on the scenic Spearfish Canyon Hwy.  Being passengers in a car, we were certainly a minority.  The Spearfish Canyon Hwy. lead us through Lead, Deadwood and Sturgis.  It was fun to travel amongst such chaos but after some consideration we decided to leave the whole scene behind and continue onward.
Remember the clouds?  Well, at this point on the radio we began hearing predictions of rain and/or thunderstorms.  Weighing our options, we eventually chose to skip the Badlands & continue on to Chamberlain, SD.  Although Chamberlain is only about a 5 hour journey from Grand Meadow, we chose to camp for our last night out.  At about 9 p.m. we arrived in Chamberlain.  When checking in, the campground host indicated that weather could be heading our way and asked if we were season campers.  Confident in our camping ability, we set up camp on the bank of the Missouri River at the Cedar Shores Resort & Campground.  This location holds a special place in our hearts; we had camped at this same spot six years ago while traveling out to Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Unsure of if/when weather would hit, we quickly made dinner, cleaned up and settled in for a hot, humid (and  potentially soggy) night.  Ironically, before sleep, we spent some time evaluating and discussing what we would do again and potential improvements if we had the opportunity to go on a similar future trip.  Drifting off to sleep, we could see lightning in the west but it was off at distance.
At about 11:30 p.m., a slight breeze moved in.  Minutes later, the slight breeze changed into a roaring wind of steady 50-60 mph and heavy rain.  Holy Hannah!  The sides & bottom of our tent moved erratically and with force. Quickly, we mobilized into some sort of action.  Sara spread out on the floor of the tent trying to prevent water from blowing under the its bottom.  Mike with his arms tried to support the tent poles.  After a few minutes, it seemed quite apparent that if we ran for cover in the vehicle, the tent would most likely fly off (stakes, sleeping bag, and Thermarests included) & drown in the already swollen Missouri River.  We maximized our surface area on the ground determined to ride out the weather.  Then the game changer happened:  with a wind gust the rain fly suddenly became half detached and flew off on one side leaving us wholly exposed.  Quickly drenched & with no end to the wind & rain in sight we changed tactics.  Sara grabbed armloads of bedding and ran loads to the car stuffing thoroughly wet items into the already cramped space.  Mike stayed in the tent, his body weight keeping it in contact with the ground.  Finally, we collapsed the tent and Mike dragged a picnic table on top of it to keep it in place.

Drenched with rain & mud, we had no choice but to laugh.  Everything was muddy & wet.  Camping until morning was no longer an option.  Perhaps it was time to go home.
As the rain slowed, we removed the picnic table, collected our tent, changed into drier clothes and drove off towards Minnesota.

Tired, we arrived home this morning, Saturday, at ~5:40 a.m.  The sky was just beginning to brighten.  Our Alaskan grand adventure was a wonderful experience and we'd certainly do it again.  For now, however, we're happy to be home.  

Total mileage:  8, 890 miles.

   

            

Heading Home: Alberta and Montana at 75 mph

We headed out of our hotel after a free waffle and some juice, heading back into the U.S.  We scooted through customs again, no hassles other than we had to dispose of our oranges.  Keep in mind, today was about distance so all the pictures shared were taken at 75 mph in Montana. 

We saw many fields of wheat, some being harvested, and many round bales.  It was fun to be in ag. land again (says Mike).  We felt at home in the flat and when we saw wind turbines, it was thought we may have reached home early.

In the background of the wind turbine may be Glacier National Park which we thought to be about 40 miles away.  After a brief stop at a western-wear store (it was connected to the gas station & it doesn't hurt to at least look) we made it through Montana and into Wyoming.  Rest assured--no clothing purchases were made.  We are currently in Sheridan, WY.  We had dinner at Sanford's Grub, Pub, and Brew.  Man, we took in some big portions.  To Mike's apparent dismay, we did pass on Rocky Mountain Oysters. The 1/2 pound burger with a huge slab of cream cheese kept Mike content while a taco salad meant for two kept Sara at bay.

Tomorrow we aim to head  to Devils Tower National Monument, being neither of us have experienced it yet.  From there we are planning on heading on towards the Badlands.  As we sit and look at the map at this moment, we also notice an alluring "Geographic Center of the U.S." site marked just slightly into South Dakota.  Well now... Anyway, we think we'll head to the Badlands and maybe even camp.  We're slightly apprehensive though, with a high of 90's and low's of, well, still hot, maybe the hotel idea is working to our advantage.  We will have one more night out.  We hope to camp at the Cedar Shores Resort in Chamberlain, SD.  Last time we were here (on a road trip out to Cheyenne, WY), we heard whippoorwills.  We are hoping for the same before heading into Minnesota late Sunday.

Leaving the Canadian Rockies

August 3rd

After falling asleep to the rain hitting the tent, we awoke to warmer than expected temperatures and the sun.  With our tent wet, we did what we could to dry out the tent before putting it away.  We took the 1/2 km walk  to the actual Takakkaw Falls.  Yoho as a word means "awe" and the sound and view of the Takakkaw Falls certainly showed us that.

We did see a little wildlife on our way out of the National Parks.

We chose to head out of the parks by traveling through Banff and towards Calgary. 

Along the roads of the agricultural areas of Canada we have found many yellow fields.  They are rapeseed which is used to make Canola Oil.  We aren't in soy and corn country anymore.  Calgary was a cool city, but we headed beyond to Lethbridge, AB to a shower and a bed.  We found both at a Super 8 hotel.  After camping, the basics seem luxurious!  After slightly less fine dining at a Little Caesars Pizza Place, we are enjoying lounging and watching t.v.

Banff & Yoho National Parks

Tuesday, Aug. 2nd: Banff & Yoho National Parks
 We began today shivering at the Waterfowl Lakes Campground.  After getting some high-quality recommendations from our knowledgeable camphost, we started on our way.  The temperature gauge on our car read 48 degrees at 11 a.m.  We drove south on the Icefields Parkway toward Lake Louise.  Wildlife encounters occurred at the Lake Louise townsite and consisted of herds of randomly moving tourists.  We bypassed some of the masses only to meet up with loads of more at the Lake Louise parking lot.  It was crowded and it took time to find a parking space but we had been forewarned by a park ranger.  "It will be like the parking lot at Walmart on December 24."  His description proved to be quite accurate.  We hiked to the Lake Agnes Teahouse where we enjoyed tea and biscuits & jam.

Lake Louise

Finished with the Lake Louise area, we zipped west on Canada Hwy. 1 to Yoho National Park.  Unfortunately the only campground with showers (Kicking Horse Campground) was closed for the season due to spring mudslides.  Luckily our super informative host at the Waterfowl Lakes Campground had told us of an alternative, the cart-in (~1/2 km) tent only sites at Takakkaw Falls.  We drove up the narrow & winding road to Takakkaw Falls.  The campground offered commanding views of the falls and an icefield-but no showers.

We set up camp and then Mike (desperate to bathe)  hopped in the glacial river downstream of the falls.  We found a lodge in the town of Field to do laundry.  We ate dinner at the restaurant connected to the lodge, the Truffle Pigs Cafe.  The fine-dining establishment seemed a bit out of place in such a small community.  Mike's black truffle pierogies were delicious.

On the way back to camp, the road treated us with some adventure.  On a treacherous switchback we were met with 8 elk.

Down the road we were met with a marmot that was very entertaining.

Tonight we write this blog entry on a piece of paper in the tent.  We're listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops in our mostly dry tent & the the sounds of the waterfall nearby.
Tonight's projected low in Field, BC is 3 degrees celsius.  We've brought some extra clothing in the tent tonight just in case.         

Banff National Park

August 1:  Banff National Park

We awoke to blue skies this morning!  We breakfasted on oatmeal & blueberries, packed up camp, and drove down the Icefields Parkway toward Banff National Park.  The mountain scenery was spectacular but the roadway was also very busy.  Determined not to get tangled up the roadside messes of cars/RVs, we continued onwards.  Our first stop was at a hiking trail leading toward Stanley Falls.  This hike had been recommended the night before and with only having two cars in the parking lot, seemed a logical choice.  We could see glaciers in the distance most of the hike and followed the flowing water the entire hike.  It was a great hike, with many photos taken by both Mike and Sara. 

With the camping options consisting of Waterfowl Lake or Mosquito Creek, we chose the lake.  There were many sites open and the lake an aqua marine color.  With flush toilets but no showers, Sara and Mike manned up and went swimming.  The water was refreshingly crisp and the sun warmed us up quickly.  We made dinner of quinoa and veggies early so we could squeeze in a hike before bed.

We chose to head to Peyto Lake.  This is again an aqua marine colored glacial lake with a great view down and up the valley.  We could see the Waterfowl Lake in the distance.  We had magnificent alpine flowers here and Mike’s highlight of the hike was finding two fresh morels to bring back to camp. 

As the sun set over the mountains, we headed back to camp to type up the blog and with a low of 4 (centigrade) tonight, look forward to a good sleep.  Tomorrows agenda-find showers and more importantly laundry.  We have not had laundry since the whole clan was here and we enjoyed hot tubs, clean showers, and good company.  That feels like forever ago.  We are over the 7000 mile mark and plan on staying in Canada’s National Parks one more night before starting back to reality.  The past 20 plus days have gone so fast, it is sad reflecting that this journey is coming to a close July 7^th. 

Heading back to camp

Mile 0 RV park

Sunday, July 31

 At the Mile 0 RV Park we fell asleep listening to the sound of coyotes.  By the light of day it was quickly decided that this place was a complete, disgusting dive.  We woke early, eager to partake in the advertised “hot showers.”  Unfortunately the hot showers came with a healthy (or unhealthy?) dose of mold & filth.  Disgusted, we packed up quickly & left.  We were so disgusted in fact that we may have forgotten to pay our camping fee on the way out.  Now soft-core fugitives, we sped off and headed toward Alberta.  The scenery was agricultural & pretty. The morning highlight was a huge beaver statue the town of Beaverlodge proudly displayed .   

  

We stopped in Grande Prairie to add fuel to our car & stock up on groceries.  In Grande Prairie we also learned that tomorrow, Aug. 1^st, is a holiday  (Founder’s Day) in Alberta.  Hmmm…and we thought finding open campsites for a Sunday night might be fairly easy.   With a new sense of urgency, we then turned South on the Big Horn Hwy. (Hwy. 40) with our goal of reaching Jasper National Park by late afternoon.   As we traveled we did see some wildlife along the road including:  sheep & elk. 

We entered Jasper N.P. by way of the east entrance point at about 4:30 p.m.  The park was incredibly busy & a sign indicated all campgrounds were full.  The attendant directed us (& many others) toward Snare River Overflow.  The overflow area was on a first-come-first-serve basis.  It was partially wooded which was nice for those with tents but also had large open areas for RVs.  Relieved, we ended up with a pretty nice space (with nearby & clean latrines) for $10.50.  Hungry, we set up camp & cooked an early & delicious dinner of pork tenderloin & mashed potatoes.  It started to sprinkle, then rain and then really rain hard.  We decided to spend the evening in the town of Jasper.  In Jasper we got some hiking information at the historic visitor center, changed money & topped off the evening with ice cream.