Bailey

Before we explore…

Allan, the master MacGyver, repairs the toilet flusher, bomb style. 

All done! 

Beyond beautiful !!

Three Sisters is the only mountain name I know.  We figured it out because many businesses are named Three Sisters something, ie Taxi, we then put it together!  We are so clever! 

After our wonderful hike it’s off to Drake’s for a pint 

What does Allan’s smile tell you?     

Yep, he found another acceptable amber ale 🙂 from Big Rock Brewery Now that we figured out most call it amber they are back to calling it red.

Our favourite bunny, he/she has one white slipper paw

Good night fire     

Wake up to rain       hope it stops soon

Lucky for Allan,  it does.  The lady that demo’ed this product outside of the Canadian Tire in Lethbridge said you must apply as a happy face to get the best results!

Another little sprinkle then this!

We, unsuccessfully search for 

Been looking forward to this excursion! Such beautiful country.  Remember! do not feed the wildlife.

Have to be more on the ball, almost missed the entire sign.

Even though the weather isn’t too favourable we are having a blast.  We drive through Banff on the way to the Banff Upper Hot Springs

We know the Springs are closed but thought we’d get a peek.  No such luck!

Head back to Banff,      and a yummy breakfast at The Maple Leaf             

We asked our waitress, (who is originally from Orillia, ON) what are must sees, off the beaten track, as we didn’t want to spend time in the cute boutiques and stores even though most were wearing masks. 

She suggested the Farmers Market and then a walk to a waterfall.  We pass a bridge keep heading to the falls

Best to use caution!

Drop off is worse than it looks!  If you make it through that section you get to walk at the side of the highway 

All worthwhile when you get to the falls! 

Fairmont     

Head back.  Good bye Banff   

Off to Lake Louise …

We drive through several of these tunnels, they have fences on both sides.                        What are they??          Bear crossings of course!

Oh those clouds!!

No shortage of vehicles at Lake Louise   

Magnificent Lake Louise!

Go for a hike time.  We decide on the Fairview Lookout

Description which we didn’t read until we returned. Lesson learned! “leaving from the boathouse on Lake Louise, this short, uphill hike offers you a unique look at both the lake and the historic Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.”  Oh my goodness, it just about killed me!  I had to stop several  times.  Allan resting with me             

Was it crazy uphill or should I just pack it in???  It was crazy!I wish my photos would better depict elevation!

At least we unknowingly made the right decision on how to return!    Steep descent, sturdy shoes or hiking boots.

Heading back

Back in Canmore. We predict the next time we are in the area, this camp ground, within walking distance of downtown, will be condos.  Much construction in progress.

Such a beautiful place, Silver Creek is just a 10 minute walk to downtown.  We head their using the boardwalk Picture perfect!

They closed the main street to vehicular traffic which is nice.

Allan is going to be adventurous and try The Grizzly Paw’s version of amber ale.  Love how craftily, craft breweries, name their beers.  Allan tries Rutting Elk Red, which he proclaims acceptable :), I have Rundlestone Session Ale also OK, but I wanted a Beavertail Raspberry Ale, they were sold out.  We lucked out, it was Taco Tuesday, $3/ea.

   Head off again, get it 🙂  and explore some more

                  End the day with a fire!       

Banff tomorrow!

We leave Lethbridge at 9a, 69,684k.  First stop is UFA in Clareholm for fuel, DEF and a much needed Bailey bath!

Wonder how much these super large tires cost and which vehicle they are used on  Bailey wash here we are. First time for us washing her on our own, reading the instructions…     

Tire cleaner, pre-wash, foam brush, wash, rinse, wax, spot free rinse.

22m51s in = $34.25 almost doneFinal rinse

Total price $49.50, not perfect but much better.  Can even see out the windshield.

On the road again we spot this smiling face farmhouse.

Bug free windshield didn’t last long!   Off in the distance, Calgary.

Back to the dueling GPSes, we are attempting t0 remember the tidbits Wilf told us.  Should have taken notes!  We opt for the route that makes the most sense to us.  Hum, doesn’t feel right but we are committed to the exit.  We are on a road Bailey’s GPS doesn’t know exists and Maps isn’t talking to us any more.

Should have taken a photo earlier of our savior trucker but this is him. We latch onto him when the new road was not marked.  It didn’t even have lines painted yet.  This guy had BC plates so we followed, turned out to be a good plan.  Yahoo, for the Canmore sign!  Although stressful for a bit turns out Calgary was easy to bypass.

It’s a beautiful drive

Canmore!       

Hello Spring Creek RV Off to our spot, D7

Set up, beautiful views everywhere!!

Insert Allan’s humour.  He thought the wheelie bar on this RV was pretty funny.  The avocados speak for themselves….

Canmore bunnies!  I didn’t know.  We had the same 3 visit nightly.

So beautiful!

Not so beautiful  🙁  Allan’s bashed finger, think he’ll lose the nail

But look! A fire in the making….     

Kyle, our son, heading to the Ukraine just when we are heading to BC

Come home safe! Sending tons of love!!

Brenda and Wilf’s anniversary!  Water Tower for dinner!!

First a walk to the river, that star gets around!

Next a drive around   

These pretty birds are everywhere. Someone knows what they are called   but, that someone isn’t me.           

Wilf comes over and figures out our Bob lighting issue.  All done!  We go to his shop to check out his big rig!  Wish we had better photos.

Allan sat in the drivers seat, what the heck do you do with all these thingies

On the way to the restaurant we spot,

she’s known as a “sweetheart” in Lethbridge.

Should have taken better view photos from the restaurant

The happy couple!

With their happy friends!!

Enjoying Creme Brulee for dessert     Love these guys!

We decided it may be good to have an alternate method of cooking for the colder, rainier days.  So many say how wonderful an Instant Pot is so we give it a shot.  All that know Allan know he’s a RTFM (read the fuckin manual)  kind of guy…We have limited, OK perhaps no extra space.  This 6qt model is just too big for most of our cupboards.  They make a 3qt model, that may be more for us.

The view across the street   

Teacup Tiny Home, developed in Lethbridge! Year round living.   

Side note!     

A lot of flatness & cows!

SNOW, no!!!

We later learn it is really sulfur.  The goal is, Bailey never sees snow!

We see many grain silos     

           Some oil wells

Trains and more silos   

Alberta!!!!We pass a sign indicating vehicles over a certain weight must report to the inspection station.  Does that include us?  Allan errs on the side of caution, after seeing the chaser vehicle

Turns out it isn’t required for us, would have been interested to determine our weight but we couldn’t figure that out.

Back on the road I finally get a photo of the “Important Intersection” sign.  We foolishly thought all intersections were important!Almost there     

What’s that???  Turns out it’s the Water Tower Restaurant.

Next exit is ours…

       is in a coulee  New word that Brenda taught us

Heading to site F145P

This is the first site we’ve been in that is both pull thru (Bridgeview calls it that) and a back out.  It’s a nice, long site   

With this view from the front seats   

We see a river, off we go 

We spot a ship wreck!

Some lovely scenery

The Lethbridge Viaduct, commonly known as the High Level Bridge

Construction began August of 1908, the bridge was completed June 22, 1909 and officially opened on November 1, 1909. It cost a whopping $1,334,525.00 to build. This bridge is still the longest and highest of its kind in the world reaching 5,327.625 feet long (1.6km) and 314 feet high (96 meters). In its time is has been described by some as one of the wonders of the world!  We thought the Peterborough one was impressive!

We’re in Lethbridge to see Allan’s childhood friend, Wilf and family.  The evening ended with a surprise visit from Wilf’s parents And then Shelly, Wilf’s sister and her husband Jim.  Forgot to take that photo!

It will be a super fun week here.

 

Wake up to this!     

Head to town, didn’t know Moose Jaw is  mostly closed on Sundays.  They skies are very dreary after such a nice sunrise.

Get a huge kick out of finding Capone’s hideout!

Fun wall art

Meet Mac the Moose of Moose Jaw!    

Random plane next to Mac   

Back at the campground     

A little walk around, love watching the vehicles drive on the horizon.

Off to Lethbridge in the morning.  Allan’s lifelong friend lives there, will be a fun reunion.

We leave at 840a, km 68,684   

Unlike the drive to Turtle Crossing, we leave on a paved road, so not

This was an uneventful, flat terrain drive. A nice break.

We arrive at Peanut Hills Campgrounds at 130, crossing into Central time zone.

Follow Bailey to the site

Parked without my help but WHOOPS we are supposed to be site 31, we are in 30.  Allan was going to wheel around for try 2 but the park Manager drove by to say “Leave it”  🙂

All set up!  Notice the train cars and plant in the background!

Do a quick walk, it is a small park so takes no time.The vehicles that drive on the highway appear to be floating

Fire time!

Tomorrow is explore Moose Jaw day.