Road Trip to Canada - Day 5

Departed Kalispell, MT. at about 7:30am and headed south toward Flathead Lake. Amy and I stopped at a local restaurant south of Kalispell and had a hearty breakfast (biscuits and gravy, sausage, hash browns) and hit the road.

I have made it a point on my two road trips this summer, to avoid major highways as much as possible, and today was no exception. We took back roads all the way the Helena, MT. and on to Bozeman. The countryside is beautiful here! No wonder they call Montana "Big Sky Country." It's fabulous!

Met up with the route I took earlier this summer just south of White Sulfur Springs, MT. and from this point onward we will be tracing the same route home. Tomorrow we visit Yellowstone Park. I intend to spend more time there with Amy, see the geysers, and hot pools, and pet a bear and a bison if afforded the opportunity (NOT).

Kalispell sunrise

Big Sky and Big Cloud Country

The Never Ending Highway

Waving to some biker friends

Summit Lake

Descent into Helena

More Big Sky

Nice old sign

Road Trip to Canada - Day 4

Back in the U.S, back in the U.S., back in the USSA! (hum to Beatles tune).

Left Calgary early this morning, with dark skies and threat of rain. Got about 40 miles south and the sun came out, warmed up, and very nice. Very pretty country south of Calgary on the way back to the US border.

Crossed the border at Piegan, MT. and headed to Glacier National Park (the American one). It was a gorgeous day all day. Not like the rain and wind that haunted me on my motorcycle trip 6 weeks ago.

Got to the West Entrance after crossing the summit, and stopped for a nap while Amy SHOPPED. Arrived in Kalispell, MT. about 6:30pm. Beautiful weather, beautiful country! God Bless America!

View from Glacier summit.

Mountain near top of Glacier.

Butterfly photo by Amy

East entrance to Glacier

Approaching Glacier park

U.S. Border

Amy ready to leave Calgary

Road Trip to Canada - Day 3

Had a great day on Day 3, traveling through some of the most beautiful mountains I've ever seen (and I have seen some beautiful mountains!). Drove through Glacier Park in Canada (not to be confused with the one in Montana), and Banff.

Stopped in Banff (Amy's favorite place) and bought some souvenirs, took some photos, etc. Some key learnings about Canada:

1. Canadians are CRAZY drivers (sorry to all my Canadian friends).
2. You get what you pay for (dumpy motel room).
3. Canada is BEAUTIFUL!
4. Amy knows how to shop like a girl!
5. Gas is cheap, only $1.05 (oh WAIT, that's per litre) so, since it's a complicated conversion, let's just say that I have no clue how much I'm really paying.
6. It's fun to be able to drive 110 (KPH).

Heading to Kalispell, WY. today through the American Glacier Park. See you on the other side of the border later tonight!

Canadians appreciate Jimi Hendrix too.

Banff Springs Hotel

Lake Louise

Reminds me of the Matterhorn

Beautiful mountain range

Is this the town's statement about their dietary regimen?

I heard Canadians are liberal . . .

Amy likes the Maple Leaf on the McDonald's signs

Amy's morning posture

A couple of Canadian drivers we met

Road Trip to Canada - Day 2

Left Yakima at 9:30am and headed north on 86 until we reached Ellensburg where we switched to Highway 97. Stayed on that the WHOLE day. Most of the drive was alongside a river, but it was still hot.

Once we crossed the border into Canada, it started to cool down a bit, probably because it was getting later in the day.

Arrived in Kelowna about 6:00pm and checked into the motel 8. It's very nice here, beautiful actually. Amy and I had a bite to eat and then back to the room. An early start tomorrow so we can spend some time stopping and viewing at Canada's Glacier Park, and Banff.

Lake on the way

Peachland, BC

Border crossing

Welcome to BC

Road Trip to Canada - Day 1

Left Albany at about 10:30 am and headed through Lebanon, Sweet Home, Sisters, Redmond, Madras, and north across the gorge to Yakima, WA. The weather was warm, the roads smooth, and traffic relatively sparse. Uneventful first day. See photos.

Amy is Thrilled!

The "SHOE TREE"

Somewhere north of Redmond

Three-Fingered Jack

Simulated Motorcycle Riding