Sept 22_Catching up with DaGirls

Wow what a whirlwind week, since we last posted. We have traveled from Calgary, CA to Red Deer and back into the good old USA.

We left Red Deer on the 20th and headed south, after spending a week with Susan’s first cousins from the area and her brother and sister-in-law from St. Louis. As Susan stated, we can’t let this happen again, not getting together in such a long time. So, watch out for the next family reunion.

We headed south on the QE II highway with the intent to stop just north of the Canada/USA border, however Sandra remarked that she would prefer to get back into the USA on Sunday after their ordeal getting into Canada.  With that in mind, we crossed into the USA and stopped at Shelby, MT for the night.

We left Shelby around 10 am on Monday to continue our journey south to Haslet, TX, with Sandy and Mike catching a flight out of Great Falls, MT, to head back home to St. Louis, MO. So we said our goodbyes as we departed not realizing that we would meet 1 more time while DaGirls was refueling in Great Falls.

Our goal for the day was to reach Billings, MT, where we planned to stay the night – dry camping, and then continue our journey to Haslet, TX.

Tuesday, we awoke early and proceeded to get on the road around 7:30 with a stop at the Flying J to refuel and take on propane. Diesel was $2.43 and with our $ .06 discount = $2.37/gal. Woo_Hoo we scored big time. Next we topped off the propane, paid and headed out.

Back on the road, we cross into Wyoming at 10:20 am. Making good time (62 mph or 1640 RPM) sweet spot for mileage.

One thing is nice, our communication system is up and running and providing access to phones and internet, even as we travel down the highways.
One thing I have noticed since entering WY, the highway is not as good as MT. But hey, Susan is driving while I write this up.

Currently we are traveling on I-90 heading east, we will transition to I-25 just north of Buffalo, WY. Some of you will remember our previous experience in the Buffalo area. That is where we had a shredded serpentine belt west of there in the mountains in the early fall of 2014. 

Our plan today is to reach Douglas, WY, where there is a Escapee Days End camping site. We have water, fuel, food and DaGirls on-board and we are good to go.

So, I leave you with this saying from DaGirls Rv.

“SeeYa and Safe and Happy Journeys”

From DaGirls - Me, Susan, Tilly and Della

Sept 16–Calgary and Relatives

So, we landed in Calgary and met up with Wayne Moore, who is a cousin of Susan’s. Seems there were 4 brothers and 2 sisters, born to Albert Moore, with Susan’s dad being the youngest (10), when his father (Susan's GP), decided to move back to the USA. Being the youngest, he had little choice in this decision, whereas the others decided to stay in Canada to work and raise their families.

Susan has been conversing with Wayne and Norma about swinging by and having a small family reunion. This is the reason we are still in Canada. They mostly live in the Calgary to Red Deer area (north of Calgary) and surrounding Alberta.

We landed in the Wal-Mart off of Yankee Valley Rd in Airdrie. Level spot, grass in front, some road noise but quiet at night. We spent 4 days here visiting and chillin back a little, especially since it rained on Sunday and Monday. But we were warm and healthy.

Oh, before I forget, the CO-OP carries propane and has it at a good price, so if you see one check it out, even disconnect if you have to and fill up.

We spent Saturday in downtown Calgary along with Wayne and Louise,both cousins.
We could not have wanted better tour guides for this small excursion. We tooled around until we landed at McHugh Bluff, 

which overlooks Calgary. We left the jeep there and proceeded to walk down and around.

The only way to get up to down is via the stairs. Which is also where all the exercise buffs walk, run up/down them. But once, down, the only way back up is those same stairs.....huff, huff, huff.

Once down we were introduced to Calgary on foot, which is the only way to see it or on a bicycle. We went into China town, saw the cultural center which was having a Mexican day inside. Just had a really good time and day in the sun.

Louise, Susan & Wayne

We left Calgary on Tuesday and traveled the 70 miles or so to Olds which is north on Hwy 2. This is where Alvin and Gayla live, Wayne’s brother. So we are now parked (dry camping) in the front yard, which just happens to be on 17 acres the house sits on.

So currently I am in DaGirls Rv with the outside temps in the mid to Hi 30’s, chance of rain but will be in the mid 50’s today. Rain is also helping clean DaGirls Rv a little.

As Susan Says SeeYa

Safe Travels and Journeys 

From DaGirls and us

Sept 10_Belated Happy Birthday to Sis

Ok, before you get after me, I sent my sister an email before her B-day and Susan sent her a Jib-Jab Email. We also have not heard back as to if she has received them, so we are in a waiting stage.

We are into day 3 of our 4 days in Banff, among the many places we have been are: Johnston Canyon, towns of Banff and Canmore, and the various lakes in the area for hiking. Currently right now I am looking at clear skies. This may turn out to be the best day this week.

Let me start out with this, the road to Banff from Lake Louise was straight and easy. We took the main highway and not 93. Highway 93, scenic Hwy is a wonderful slow and meandering drive, however, we had driven it in the Jeep earlier in the week.

One of the finds on Hwy 93 was a spot telling about the internment camp during world war I. Again, it is one of those items where GOVERNMENT tells a group of citizens you are a danger, and we are here to protect you. Yea Right!

The distance to Banff was a grueling 39 miles. On our journey, there are many over and under passes. These passes were created to allow the wildlife to get back and forth safely across the Hwy and to reduce accidents.

We arrived a little early of the regular check in time of 11 AM. Our spot A50, was still occupied, so we enjoyed a short walk with DaGirls. Once it was available we moved in and settled down. The sites have a a nice front yard with a table. However what we have found with the campground sites in the national park is the location of the power station. So, one item you may want to carry is a separate 30 amp extension cable.

The town is laid out very well, with most places within walking distance (1.5 miles) or by taking the bus. This is the time to arrive, as the season is drawing to a close. The average normal temperatures are in the 40 – 50’s, so bring warm clothes to wear while you are walking in town and about. Parking has not been an issue, as we have been very lucky in locating a parking spot, and then just walking around the town.

Our time here has been taken up with the many hiking areas located close by. Including Johnston Canyon. To access the lower falls, requires a 1/5 mile hike. If you plan to go, take your time, stop and enjoy the sights as you walk AND go early. Get there at least by 9am as the parking lot fills up very quickly after that.

Among the many places we visited in town was the Parks government building, which was  built in 1903 to specifically house the many examples of animals. Along with the Fairmount Hotel, and golf course which is a gathering place for Elk this time of year.

We were very fortunate to have a visitor within camp on Wed. morning. A single bull elk came thru bugling. Susan was able to grab her camera and capture him on video, as he was searching for lady friends.

Our plan for our final day (Thursday - 10th) is to seek out the cave, gondola, Fairmount Hotel (Very Old and Classic) and maybe stop off at the golf course in the evening. Golf? Dale you’re going to play golf in Banff? No, I would never pay that much to play golf, no, we are going down in the evening to watch the Elks play golf. I mean, what do you think Elks do in the evening? Frolic and dance?

Ok, for those of you, who may travel in the area and need propane, there is one place in Canmore which carries propane at a good price and easy access. Example, to fill out spare BarBQ tank cost us $16.00 CA.

As Susan would say "SeeYa"

From DaGirls Della and Tilly

Sept 6_Our Last Day in Lake Louise

Lake Louise sits in the Banff National Park of Canada. Our next stop will be in the city of Banff itself. Our stay here in LL, has been shall we say a little chilling and wet. Seems we failed to heed our own advise. Get out of Alaska and Canada by early Sept. Well as DaGirls say it is an adventure.
The temperature has dropped to the low to mid 40’s in the day time with last night temps in the high 30’s:

Traveling thru a National Park is exciting yet slow. A national park is a destination travel stop. It is a place to get out, hike, take a stroll, and see what this beautiful land has to offer. Be able to witness what this world has to offer. Sights such as the Glacier Ice-fields, Glacier Lakes, and other beautiful sights. Yet with every turn, hike, traveling on the highway, may bring a sighting of wildlife. My suggestion is while traveling thru be prepared to stop at many of the turn-offs as you may never no what weather changes are coming or if you will make it back as seen by the snap shots:

As we traveled down to Lake Louise

On our way back from Bow Pass to Lake Louise

While we are staying in the Lake Louise Campground, evidence of bears are all around us. Especially for the tenters, as seen by a electrified fence that surrounds the tenting area. But you never know if, or even when you will see wildlife in the area.

On Saturday we headed back north upto the Bow Pass with an elevation of 6800 ft, it made for a arduous climb for DaGirls Rv when we left Jasper. Our goal was to head back north in search of photo ops and the glacier lake in that area. We arrived after a short 30 miles or so, and after a short uphill hike (10 minutes or so), we reached the viewing area.

Our stay in the Canadian Rockies is closing to an end. We have traveled from one end to the other end. Our final stay will be in the city of Banff for a short 3 / 4 days in the campground there.

One of the best tools in our travels has been the Free Wi-Fi centers that we have come across. We have visited public libraries, visitor Centre's, and coffee shops just to name a few. Now, there is T-mobile’s new Canada & Mexico plan which was rolled out. Something to  think about on your journey.
So far today, the only snow visible, has been on the mountain's surrounding DaGirls Rv.  When I started writing this the temperature was 39 degrees. It has now risen 1 degree to 40.6 degrees F with 60% humidly. 

As Susan would say "SeeYa"

From DaGirls Della and Tilly