Empty! That’s what this country is. Wow! After touring the Tunnels in Moose Jaw, SK, we drove to Swift Current, SK today—about 100 miles. This is the area where they grow the wheat and when you have seen pictures of the huge number of combines on those wheat fields, well, we drove through a bunch of those fields today. The combines aren’t there now. This is, without question, the flattest country I’ve ever been in. Miles without so much as a hump in the road. Laid out T-square straight. Reminds me of the movie years ago entitled “Amber Waves” (Dennis Weaver)—worth seeing.
By the way, they call Moose Jaw the “Buckle on the Wheat Belt”—appropriate.
Here’s some proof—unretouched!
Frank Slide
West from Lethbridge, AB, we drive across Crowsnest Pass. There, in 1903, "Frank Slide," the greatest landslide in North American history wiped out the town of Frank in 100 seconds! It literally could not be cleaned up and it quite spectacular to visit. You can see some of the result of the whole side of the mountain sliding down. Sandy is standing in the debris field.
Fort Steele
We stayed south of the Park for a few days not knowing how primitive the area was we were headed into. We shouldn't have been concerned—everything was fine in the Park—not primitive at all and only had two nights where we boondocked.
However, the campground at Fort Steele was a pleasant surprise. Take a look at these views...
Banff National Park
I’m sitting here at the table, facing forward, writing this. It’s raining gently. About 30-40 yards out front (kind of open-woodsy), four elk are playing (1 bull, 2 cows, and—I think—one calf). Fascinating! Can’t get a picture of them as it will focus on the sunshade material on our windshield. Continue to see LOTs of wildlife—deer and elk literally walking the side streets in town. Sandy saw two grizzlys yesterday as we were driving. Plus, we have seen several black bears, big horn sheep, mountain goats, and even one grey wolf!
Visited Lake Louise yesterday—REALLY COLD!!! Wind coming down off that glacier and across the lake was hitting us in the face. Gorgeous area but cold.
Still plenty of snow here! This was from the cleared parking lot.
Driving back, we are on a one-lane (passing through a former landslide area) and up popped these sheep. The lamb could not make it over the barrier in one hop so would perch on top and then hop down. He went back and forth a couple of times. There is eight sheep in this herd.
This continues to be one of the most spectacular campsites we were ever in!!!
Another view...
Temperature hovers around 50 degrees (except near the lake) and rain every day—not much but consistent. They had nearly record snows here this winter. They have had record rains lately. The rains causes a faster snow melt so the rivers are maximum. They all are grey/green with glacier silt and fast moving.
It’s time to move on and we are headed into the first “wild” area tomorrow—the Columbia Ice fields (find it on Google). There are two “campgrounds” there with no hookups, period. We were told there may not even be a restaurant—that’s really roughing it! Then on north into Jasper but was told not to plan on any towns there either. We shall see.
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