Our Travels Since Arriving in the U.S.

San Antonio, NM (62 degrees, clear blue skies)

After crossing the border from Canada into the U.S. we stopped along the way to see Great Falls and Custer's last stand in Montana. Both stops were very interesting. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center features a  stopover of the Discovery Expedition at a huge waterfall.  There were very interesting displays and movie about the expedition and what happened here.

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Little Bighorn Native American Memorial 

Grave markers for each soldier

Custer's last stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn is also definitely worth the stop. We spent a few days exploring the area and found the National Monument gave a very balanced view of the cavalry and the Sioux and Cheyenne. Custer and 262 other soldiers lost their lives in this ill conceived battle. It's very sobering to see the graves where each of the soldiers died. A tombstone marks where each soldier died across a now peaceful battlefield. I won't go into all the history of this battle but encourage you to stop and experience it for yourself. 

We then spent a few days  in Colorado Springs tat the beautiful Air Force Academy military campground o do some much needed shopping and a few repairs. Our motorhome had been having a difficult time ascending hills and it was steadily getting worse. We had to pull over frequently to cool the engine down which can be a scary thing on major highways. It wasn't possible to have it diagnosed in Alaska but our campground gave us a great reference to a diesel shop. They found out there were huge amounts of dust, debris, and mud packed in the very tight spaces of the radiator and transmission cooler. They said it was a common problem and gave us a couple of options. The best one was to drop the radiator and clean it thoroughly. It took the mechanic most of the day and he said it was by far the best option. The good news is our motorhome run like a champ.  Maybe we will even get a little bit better gas mileage. They did recommend spraying water with a high pressure monthly into this area to keep it clear. Maybe you should do this too!

The weather suddenly turned very cold and we got a welcome phone call from our friends in Albuquerque. How would we like to come visit them and be able to go to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Dub and Rae live in a 55 plus community which has two RV spots available for guests. Well, we didn't have to think about this offer very long and headed quickly in their direction. We were planning on going to Albuquerque but not until the Fiesta was over.

It was great to see Dub and Rae and we had fun sharing stories of Alaska and Canada. They had gone there long ago when it was even more of an adventure. We shared lots of laughs and some great food. We also were able to arrange a dinner together with two couples we had traveled with this summer. It was great fun.

We went to two mass ascensions able to at the Balloon Fiesta  and what a joy it was to see all the beautiful hot air balloons. This is our fourth time attending and we just couldn't resist taking way too many photos. Here are just a few.

After the Fiesta we returned for a second time to volunteer at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. This beautiful refuge is located about 80 miles south of Albuquerque. It 's home in the fall and winter to thousands of Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese, song birds, and lots and lots of ducks. There are great wildlife opportunities as well. Occasionally you might spot an elk, bobcat, or if you are very lucky a mountain lion. When we arrived it really felt like we had come home. We saw some of our friends and seeing the refuge in all it's fall colors is just spectacular. 

The Sandhill Cranes will eventually reach over 12, 000 and more and more are arriving each day. Our orientation started on October 22nd and even though we have participated with this in the past we learned so much. What is really exciting is there is an excellent corn crop this year. This refuge recreates what the Rio Grande River used to do and has grown over 1.1 million pounds of grain to feed their hungry visitors. They also flood fields in a very orchestrated and technical way for the wildlife to enjoy.

Wild Turkey

Snow Geese

Sandhill Cranes at dawn

We will be here until the end of February. If you are in the area, please stop by. We'd love to show you our beautiful "back yard"!

Stunning Lake Louise and Banff National Parks

Banff  National Park, Alberta (28 degrees, cold and a surprise snowfall)

Bow Lake

Traveling the ice field highway to Lake Louise is so beautiful.  This mountain range roars up to the sky and I could not stop taking pictures of it. The range dusted in snow from the night before really brought out its beauty. I'm only posting three photos and it took a lot of restraint not to fill this whole post with them. :) 

We spent only one night at Lake Louise due to having to travel and spend an overnight in Canmore  to find a new chassis battery. After arriving we found out Parks Canada has a very efficient shuttle service which takes you to some of the most popular areas such as Lake Moraine and Lake Louise. 

It was a quick drive from our campground to the Visitor Center to pick up a shuttle. The shuttles are well staffed with pleasant and helpful folks who direct you to the right bus and advise you when the last bus leaves the area you are visiting. We took the Lake Moraine shuttle. If you drive you car there instead be prepared to go early in the morning to snag a very limited parking space. The bus was hassle free and easy. 

We decided to hike up to the overlook of Lake Moraine and to not look at the lake until we got up there. It's an easy trail and once you reach the overlook, even on a cloudy day the views are stunning. The water is a light blue from glacier melt and so clear. 

Lake Moraine

We then hiked down and had a snack at the lodge. From there we hiked around one side of the lake. Once you got away from the lodge the crowds soon dissipated. It's a beautiful place to rent a canoe.

Our next stop was Banff for four nights. We woke up to this unexpected snowfall the next morning. It was one of those Christmas card snowfalls and so beautiful.  It didn't last very long and melted completely the next day.

Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court Campground

"What the...???"

Jimmy was very confused about the snowfall. He hasn't walked in any for about six years. He used to love it but seemed rather confused by it this time.  

Our nephews Dan and Ben visited Banff this spring and suggested the Johnson Canyon Hike. The next day we drove out. In the summer finding a parking place here can be a challenge.  There is actually a sign as you enter telling you how many spaces are left.  At this time of year it wasn't an issue but if you come in the summer plan accordingly. There is not a shuttle to this area. A coffee shop and restaurant are also on the premises. 

It's a beautiful hike and well maintained. You go by lots of waterfalls and even one you view from inside a cave. The metal bridges make access so easy to this beautiful place.  We spent most of the afternoon just taking our time.

Waterfall viewed inside a cave

Our visit to Lake Louise did not disappoint. Again we took the shuttle bus to here from our campground.  It was very crowded but once we got on the overlook trail we did not see very many people. I guess most visitors go down to the lake to view it. However, the overlook was a much better way to see the beautiful resort and escape the crowds. This was the first National Park established in Canada. 

Chateau Lake Louise

View looking out from the hotel

Campground Reviews:

Lake Louise Trailer Campground: 5 stars, well spaced, 30 amp full hook ups, no WiFi, good Verizon signal in some places, make reservations well in advance, great location

Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court Campground, Banff National Park, 5 starts, most sites are pull through, 30 amp full hook ups, no WiFi, good Verizon signal, great location, one of the best campgrounds we have stayed in, make reservations well in advance.  This campground had been sold out for months.

The Spectacular Columbia Icefields and Glacier Adventure

Columbia Icefield, Alberta (28 degrees, cold, snow, blue skies)

"Live for the moments which take your breath away"

Columbia Icefield

The drive from Jasper to the Columbia Icefield is a WOW experience. We decided to boondock at the campground right at the icefield visitor center and spend a couple of days checking out this amazing place. It's the best $15 we have ever spent for a campsite. There is a kiosk on the far side of the parking lot where you register and then you just pick marked site in the parking lot. 

Campground.

We arrived in the morning to snag a good spot. We wanted to wake up in the morning looking at the icefield. Our tank was full of water since there is none available there. After finding a great spot we walked over the the Visitor Center to find out where to check in for our tours. 

Looking down from the Visitor Center to the icefield

We had signed up in advance for the Columbia Glacier Icefield Tour and Skywalk. The Visitor Center is a busy place with a movie theater, hotel, and two restaurants. We were very excited and our icefield tour would take us right onto the Athabasca Glacier. 

After checking in we rode out by a motorcoach to an area where the massive Ice Explorers were located. This behemoth of a bus with huge tires took us down a 38 percent grade road out to the glacier. Our driver was very funny, competent and gave us lots of facts about the glacier and our Ice Explorer. We had a lot of fun after walking on a ice which was as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall. We even gathered some ice in our water bottles to make glacier martinis with our friends at a later date. It was very cold and windy but lots of fun. We spent about 45 minutes on the glacier.

Our Ice Explorers...check out the huge tires

Ice Explorer on the 38 percent grade

Skywalk built into the cliff

Afterwards we were taken by another bus out to the Skywalk. This beautifully constructed walkway is built along the cliff of a mountain. It's a marvel in construction built of rock, metal, and glass We were given headsets to listen to the history of the area, glaciers and how the walkway was constructed. Towards the end of the walkway the floor becomes glass. It was unnerving and exciting all at the same time. I had to cling to the rail for awhile until I adjusted. We were almost 1000 feet above the ground.

View of icefields in the distance

Glass floor looking down 1000 feet below

Visitors standing on the glass skywalk viewing the glacier in the distance

Taking both tours was a great idea. Thanks so much Becky for suggesting this excursion. It was incredible!

TIP:  Be sure to sign up well in advance for these tours. There are a lot of tour companies which bring in  tourists from surrounding areas

Best of all this was our view when we woke up in the morning. Priceless!

Campground Review: 5 stars, basically you are parking on a large asphalt parking lot. There are no hookups, no WiFi, no cell phone signal (there is free WiFi in the Visitor Center), no water or dump,  it's difficult to find a flat spot for a big rig so arrive early. So, why the 5 star you ask???  It's the view!