Our cruise around the Apostle Islands yesterday [in Bayfield, WI] was my last significant time spent on Lake Superior. As Helena and I exited the Bayfield Peninsula, via Rt. 13 S and CR-H, the contours of the land diminished the lake’s visibility from the road. Realizing this as I drove on, I pretty much bid good-bye to the Great Lakes I had visited on this trip.
We eventually connected to Rt. 53 N and got a site for two nights at the Northland Camping and RV Park, near Superior, WI. As soon as we got the camper set up, I got right to work on my 10th blog of the trip. As I worked, Helena sat outside with her book, enjoying the gentle breeze – and rare bug-free atmosphere!
The next day, Sunday 25th, I posted my blog and we both did laundry. Saturday’s cool breeze was replaced by warm and humid air. The RV Park had a pool and I took advantage of that while Helena stayed cool inside the air-conditioned camper. We start driving west tomorrow, Monday…
MONDAY, AUGUST 26
Due to the humidity of the day before, we agreed to leave the AC on in the camper during the night. In doing so, and since I had never left the AC on overnight on previous trips, I learned something new. Up on my cabover bed, every time the AC kicked on, the cold air blasted right at me, jerking me awake every time! Unable to close or adjust the vent that aimed directly towards the bed, I had no recourse but to turn the AC off. Back in bed, I noticed flashes of bright light in the distance. When the storm passed overhead, those flashes of lightning startled me awake. I think Helena slept peacefully on the dinette bed.
By 8:30 a.m. this morning, we were on our way. Taking Rt. 2 W, we left Superior, WI and crossed into Minnesota, driving clear across the state for about five hours. We made it into North Dakota and stopped at the Grand Forks Campground in Grand Forks.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27 - Today we drove all day, on Rt. 2 W, from Grand Forks to Williston, ND. In Minot, we stopped to stretch our legs and get groceries and gas. North Dakota is mostly flat but it was a good drive otherwise. In the Williston area we got a site at the Lewis and Clark State Park. We walked over to the nearby Lake Sakakawea and got our feet wet for a few minutes.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28 – Back on Rt. 2 W we drove for nearly seven hours to Havre, Montana – and Mountain Time. It was a hot day and some road construction along the way slowed us down a bit here and there. We went to a RV Park outside of town, but finding the office locked and nobody in sight, we left and went to the Havre RV Park in town instead.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29 – Still on Rt. 2 W, we stopped for breakfast in Shelby, MT. From there we got on I-15 N and reached the border with Alberta, Canada. The Canadian official asked the usual questions, one of which was, “Are you going to leave anything in Canada?” To which I replied, “Ummm, uhhh, human waste.” He laughed and waved me through. Crossing over we then took Routes 4 N, 2 N, and 3 W to Fort MacLeod where we got a site at the Daisy May Campground. Even though we’re in Canada, tomorrow is the beginning of the [USA] Labor Day Weekend and, as we’re headed for the extremely popular Banff National Park, we’re hopeful we will not have problems finding a place to stay in the area.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
Despite a rather fitful night (blame it on the tuna fish salad from the grocery store), I managed to get up by 6:30 a.m. so we could leave by 7:30 a.m. It’s about a three-hour drive to Calgary, Alberta and we were well on our way as soon as we got on Rt. 2 N.
On the approach to Calgary, Helena and I kept a lookout for Rt. 1 – the Trans-Canada Highway. When we spotted the sign, we discovered that it was rather small and the “1” was hard to see. We also discovered that skirting around downtown Calgary – in traffic - was no easy feat! We had to pay close attention so as not to miss the teeny sign as we maneuvered through and around many turns, exits, and traffic lights.
After about 20 minutes of this we finally reached open country and the drive became less hectic. Just before we reached the Banff National Park we stopped at a Husky gas station and bought a day pass for entrance into the National Park. Helena had read about this “advance purchase” tip the day before and with the pass on my windshield we took the bypass lane into Banff.
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| Approaching Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Photo by Helena. |
Finding a place to park in the Village of Banff we went to the Visitors Center to get information about campgrounds. The nice gentleman who assisted us advised that our first choice campground [with electricity] was full. When I told him electricity wasn’t important, he then suggested we go to the Johnston Canyon Campground, located off of Rt. 1A and situated midway between the Villages of Banff and Lake Louise. We got there within 20 minutes and secured a really nice site nestled among tall, skinny pine trees. Those trees were so tall they practically blocked the sunlight.
We didn’t have much sunlight anyway, being that it was cloudy and cool and it rained off and on. Still feeling somewhat out of sorts after my restless night, I was content to just stay in the camper…and Helena was just as happy to comply. With no hookups here, we were fine with propane for the refrigerator-stove-heater and battery power for the interior lights. After resting for a short while and watching the comings and goings of fellow campers, we played a game of Scrabble on my travel board. Helena then prepared tomato soup (with milk!) for our supper – the perfect antidote for my tummy.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
Prior to going to bed the night before, I turned the heater off. My bladder woke me up around 4:30 a.m. and when I threw off the covers, I immediately felt the chill inside the camper. You silly girl, Mapita, we ARE up in the woods of the Canadian Rockies and the nights up here ARE going to be chilly, so turn the dang heat back on!
Ready to start our day, Helena and I first stopped at the registration office around 9:00 a.m. and paid for a second night at this campground. Good thing we did this before the 11:00 a.m. re-registration deadline because when we returned later in the afternoon the “FULL” sign was out.
Our plan was to visit Lake Louise first thing this morning. Our reference materials advised that visitors to Lake Louise should arrive there before 11:00 a.m. and after 5:00 p.m. No reason was stated and I thought maybe the recommendation had to do with the position of the sun upon the lake. Because I decided to take a slight detour to a Ski/Gondola tour area (where we found a Starbucks in the lodge) we didn’t get to Lake Louise until shortly after 11:00 a.m. My goodness - we could not find a place to park! The area was jam-packed with cars, RVs, tour buses, people! It was a beautiful morning but we just could not park anywhere. Let’s come back tomorrow morning, I suggested, just before we head on to British Columbia. That decided, we drove back towards the Village of Banff to check out several scenic drives in that area – the Lake Minnewanka Loop, Tunnel Mountain, and the Vermilion Lakes. See our photos below…
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| Banff National Park. Photo by Helena. |
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Banff National Park has several of these overpasses on the Trans-Canada Highway. They were constructed, not for vehicles or people, but for the wildlife! Note the fence along the arches.
Photo by Helena.
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| Helena took this photo of me checking out Lake Minnewanka. |
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While enjoying our Tunnel Mountain scenic drive, we checked out these hoodoos (foreground).
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Visiting Vermilion Lakes, we admired the unique rocky formation of Mt. Rundle. This is a popular site for photographers and artists.
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Up early, fully dressed, and raring to go, Helena woke me up at the unholy hour of 6:00 a.m. Slow to fully wake up, the sight of the crisp blue sky through the camper’s windows soon quickened my pace and we were off by 7:15 a.m. to go see Lake Louise. Hints of the sunrise were bouncing off the rocky peaks of Banff National Park. We were lucky to be granted the promise of a truly gorgeous morning.
There were other early risers at Lake Louise but parking was plentiful. Towered and dammed by the rocks of an ancient glacier, the green water of Lake Louise was calm and serene. The shadows on the lake – as well as the glacier’s reflection on the water – constantly changed as the sun rose above the peaks and pine trees behind us. We walked over to the Chateau Lake Louise and the Concierge there told us about a [2.8 mile roundtrip] uphill trail to the Fairview Lookout. We also learned from her that the color of the lake’s water changes every two hours. This may explain why the place is swarmed by visitors between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. We took the trail through the woods up to the lookout and the view up there was really nice.
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| Lake Louise at sunrise - beautiful and inspiring. Photo by Helena. |
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We hiked on the Fairview Lookout Trail. It was uphill all the way and I needed to stop now and then to catch my breath. I think Helena was happy to stop, too -- to wait for me to continue.
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From the Fairview Lookout we had a great view of Lake Louise, the Chateau Lake Louise, and surrounding mountain peaks.
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We wanted to see Moraine Lake, too, but after a beautiful drive up the winding road, we found the parking lot there full. No matter, we came away feeling we saw a lot of the beautiful Banff National Park scenery.
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| Beautiful Banff National Park! Not a bad looking truck camper either! Photo by Helena. |
Continuing on the Trans-Canada Highway, through the beautiful Canadian Rockies, we soon crossed into British Columbia…and Pacific Time. We reached Sicamous, BC around mid-afternoon and stopped at the Sicamous KOA.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
On our way by 8:00 a.m., we took Rt. 97A to Rt. 97 S and found this to be a lovely drive following the contours of a winding lake. There were also many groves of fruit orchards and fruit stands along the way. At Osoyoos, following a brief visit inside my camper by a U.S. Customs official, we crossed the border into Washington, USA!
Washington’s display of apple and other fruit orchards, lakes, rivers, gentle and rugged hills and mountains, was just as lovely as we continued our drive on Rt. 97 S towards Leavenworth. We stopped for the night at the Thousand Trails RV Resort, near the community of Plain, WA. This was our last night in the camper.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Taking Rt. 97 S to I-90 W [towards Seattle], we took the Tacoma Narrow Bridge across Puget Sound and arrived at Lisa’s beautiful log house on Lake Wooten. Turning off the truck’s engine, right then and there, officially concluded my “Great Lakes Camper Adventures.” Lisa came out holding my cat, AJ, and not far behind was Navidad, my other cat. It sure was good to see the three of them. A fantastic trip this was and I very much enjoyed sharing a portion of it with my good friend Helena. She returns home to Maryland on Saturday. On Sunday the kitties and I start the 3-day drive back home to Palm Springs.
GREAT
LAKES TRIP (June 8–September 3)
Total Travel Days - 88Total Miles - 9,747
Total Gallons - 825
Total Fuel - $3,377.53
Total RV Parks - $2,727.93
Total Food - $776.00
NOTE: Computation for six days of travel between California and Washington is not included in above figures.
