The night before we left Great Falls was a little bit of a downer, but things always work out for the best. Denny worked until 10:30 Monday night on our plumbing and finally got it where it was not going to be a big problem. We were afraid for a long time we might have to stay behind and have it serviced in Great Falls. It wasn't a major problem, but had the potential to become one. At any rate, it was semi-fixed and so far so good.
We were all asked to break up into mini-caravans going down the road so we wouldn't back up traffic. With 22 rigs, 80% of them 40' or more, we stretched out quite a distance on the highways. We were asked by Bruce Collins and Dave Adams to join them and so off we went on Tuesday morning around 8:30 to finally cross the border into Canada.
The landscape from Great Falls, really even up to just outside Calgary, was indeed, wide open spaces for as far as you could see. However, I digress. Let me first take you thru our border crossing. Of course, we had more alcohol than we were allowed and resigned ourselves to the fact we would have to declare it, but decided to adopt a "don't ask, don't tell policy". When we finally reached the border, we were ready with all our passports , etc. However, he only asked for our MH tag # and never even looked at our passports. Then he proceeded to ask us how long before we crossed into Alaska. Denny said "Well, we are on a 60 day Canada/Alaska caravan" At which point, he very hatefully said "Sir if you tell me that, you will have to come inside." I panicked and quickly got out our itinerary and said "3 weeks".Then he said "any alcohol or tobacco?Dad said "2 bottles of Absolut-one opened and one closed". He said "any firearms or tobacco?" and we said "No" and he said "have a good day." With that, I started to go get into that bottle of Absolut. When we reached the info center, several people said he was really hateful to them as well. I guess he heard our accents and thought we were a bunch of country bumpkins. Anyway we were in Canada and after stopping in the little town of Milk River and exchanging some money, we were off.
We went thru some sure enough country roads. When we arrived at our campground, which was very nice, I told our Wagon master I had always wanted to know where the middle of nowhere was and we had surely found it. That night we grilled steaks out and had a really quiet, restful night. The campground had nice level grassy sites around a pond and the weather was cool and pleasant, with snow-capped mts. in the background. Just perfect!
Wednesday was a really busy day-we all boarded a bus for a city tour. We couldn't imagine where it was as we had only passed miles and miles and miles of farm land. However, our first stop was to the Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston(I think). Don Remmington had started a carriage collection and there are now over 250 carriages in there of every size and type imaginable. It proved to be really interesting and provided us with a great history lesson.
From there we drove thru the town of Ft. McLeod, which we would return to the next day on our way to Head Smashed Buffalo Jump. VERY interesting. The Blackfoot Indian nation maintains this site and it is very well done. We had a lunch of buffalo burgers, which were very good and you wouldn't know it was buffalo meat if someone hadn't told you. Then our tour started with a demonstration of different Indian dances and costumes. From there we toured the facility and learned the history of the way Indians use to kill buffalo before bows and arrows and guns. This was a very primitive but effective way. They would cause a stampede and force them over a cliff-killing at least 300 at a time. It really wasn't over-kill because at that time the nation consisted of several tribes number 8-10,000 Indians. Too much to explain here but we enjoyed and hearing about it. Back at the campground, our campground hosts had a huge buffet of Alberta Beef roast, roasted chicken and all the sides set up for us. They also provided some musical entertainment during dinner. It is a family affair and was lots of fun. They do this in an old barn which is over 100 years old. After we ate, we went upstairs and they had a dance. We learned the Electric slide (again) and the Foxey. Had a great time but were absolutely exhausted by the time we got back to our RV's.
Thursday morning, we pulled out and headed toward Calgary after a couple of hours spent in the town of Ft. McLeod. This was one of the first outposts were the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were trained and/or sent. After the tour, we saw a musical dance presentation by the horses, ate lunch in our RV's and headed out for Calgary. This time we traveled by convoy as the road was 4 lanes the majority of the way.
When we got to our campground where we ever surprised. It is only 4 years old and is super nice with paved roads, shrubs around each site and of course for Rudy, a really , really long dog walk along the Bow River. So pleasant.
We had our usual group social hour,then those with dogs, made arrangements for dog sitters for Friday and settled in for the night.
Friday started off early-boarded the bus at 7:30 to head into Calgary for the Stampede Parade. Calgary is a huge city. It is about the size of Atlanta and spreads way out. Very clean. We had assigned bleacher seats to watch the parade. It was one of the best parades I have ever seen. Over 750 horses, lots of floats, cowboys, dancers (even some belly dancers), religious groups, and just over all fun! It lasted 2.5 hours. The crowd was huge. This is a major deal for Canada and every province was represented in the parade and in attendance. After the parade, we boarded our bus and headed out to the Olympic Park Village where we had a nice lunch and toured the facilities. They had the Olympics here in 1988 and have really made good use of the park since that time. They still train athletes here for future Olympics and have what they call an Ice House, where they have an indoor luge and bobsled tracks. They keep it around -2 or 3 degrees celsius. After that we drove up to the 90 meter ski jump. What a view! Denny and a majority of the others went up the elevator and were able to walk outside. I sent the camera. From there, we went back down from the mountain and a lot of us ladies went into the gift shop and bought cowgirl hats for the rodeo the next couple of days. We had fun shopping. Back at the campground, we all gathered and discussed the day and are looking forward to boarding the bus at 7:30 again in the morning. As I write this, it is 9:50 MT and it is still daylight outside. We haven't even gotten that far north yet. I know we are going to be glad we have the blackout curtains,
Oh by the way-Rudy is adorable. He loves this. When we take him outside, we have to drag him in. He acts like an outside dog. He makes friends with every dog here and there are a ton of them. Also, everyone on the caravan makes his picture and gives him treats. He sits on the dash and barks at everybody that goes by. We are really enjoying having him and are so lucky that our Wagon master makes arrangements for someone to walk him while we are gone everyday. We think about home and family and miss everyone, but feel so blessed to have this opportunity. I must go to bed and get rested for another day of fun and laughter and good times with all our new friends. Sorry to be so long. Please excuse grammar and spelling--too tired to proof.
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