From Lac Des Arc camping beside the water to Grand Prairie, Alberta Canada
We had a great night's sleep beside the river. It was cold. It was 51 when we got up. Merrell had to turn the furnace on to warm the motor home. We drove over 434 miles today.
Entryway to Banff National Park
We decided to take the scenic route through Banff National Park.
It was beautiful in a different kind of way from Glacier National Park. Both places are in the Rockies. Here in Canada they are called the Canadian Rockies. LOL Several people who had been to Alaska told us that it was an interesting drive. It certainly was. Merrell and I both still liked Glacier National Park better, but we were glad we decided to drive through it. I took a lot of pictures and once again it was hard to decide which ones to post.
Glacier in Banff National Park
Banff National Park Mountains and stream
After we left Banff, we took the Ice Fields Parkway which was route 93. It also was a very interesting drive. Miles and miles of mountains and snow. I think it was over 90 miles through the two parks.
Ice Fields Parkway
Road on Ice Fields Parkway
View from the top of the Ice Fields Parkway
After we left the Ice fields, we went through Jasper and Hinton, Canada and then hit Route 40 to Grand Cache.
Very Unique mountain range near Jasper, Canada
Let me tell you, there are LOTS of pine trees in Canada. Miles and miles of nothing but pine trees, sky and winding roads on mountain ranges. The roads are gently winding and the grades were around 7%. We went up and down and up and down so many times we lost track of where we were. On Route 40, between Grand Cache (pronounced Cash) and Grand Prairie, there was nothing but mountain ranges. There were a few roads off to one side or another, but it was mostly logging roads and all of the side roads were dirt roads. The main road between the two towns were good roads. The same can't be said for the road we were on the earlier part of the day. It was pretty rough. Sure kept our blood flowing though. It reminded me of what Mom used to say when she would go places with me and we would be on rough roads and hit a lot of bumps. She said that if the ride was too smooth our blood wouldn't flow as good. A good bump every now and then kept our blood flowing better. Teeheehee
We were going to stop at a campground in Grand Cache, but when we got there they were having a festival and there was no room at the INN. LOL We drove on to Grand Prairie which was another hundred or so miles. It was a beautiful drive and we actually saw a bear beside the road. We didn't have time to get a picture, but at least we got to see it. Merrell said it probably weighed over 300 lbs.
By the time we got to Grand Prairie, which was the first town we came to after Grand Cache, it was 9:30 and still full daylight. Since we were just going to sleep and get up and hit the road again, we stayed in ANOTHER WalMart parking lot. Teeheehee
This WalMart is small and they don't carry meat or produce. Merrell and Chuck said the shelves were practically empty. I didn't go in, so my info is second hand. They also don't stay open all night. The parking lot had a lot of campers already when we pulled in and more came overnight.
I'm sure most of you guys remember the old saying "A funny thing happened to me on the way to the farm"??? Well............................. A funny thing happened to us on the way to Alaska!!!
Our Motor home has a couch and two swivel chairs behind the driver and passenger seats. Chuck and Carolee have been riding there most of the time. Chuck happened to be on the couch and Carolee was sitting in one of the chairs that was next to the entry door. Merrell had stopped for some reason and when he went to pull out, Carolee AND the chair turned over backwards. All we heard was "Oh, S--T" and a scream. Merrell said he looked back and all he saw was the four legs of the chair. Carolee was on her back behind the chair with both feet up in the air. Chuck ran over to help her up and I grabbed for my camera (of course I knew she wasn't hurt :>)). By the time I turned around with my camera Chuck had helped her up, but she was holding her head and laughing. She was still laughing by the time he got her to the couch. Of course, you know I wouldn't laugh. Teeheehee She hit her head on the leg of the kitchen chair, but we just told her it probably knocked some sense into her. Teeheehee I sure wish I had had the camera going when she was still lying in the floor with her feet above her head. I could have won some money if I had had the video camera going, huh?
Carolee after she got up out of the floor
Carolee after Chuck helped her to the couch. She's checking to make sure she still has a head!!!
Catch ya later
