What can we report of today? Now, we got up this morning and continued heading East, and even so the landscape got a bit greener around Winnipeg, MB, the scenery was pretty much the same as yesterday. Saskatchewan didn't offer any change, and moving into Manitoba the view in every direction didn't offer anything spectacular neither, at least until Winnipeg. So it was a bit hard to keep the concentration up, specially when the sun is shining down on you all day and cooking you in your leather jacket. So once again we only made mileage, and hope as we near the Great Lakes that we will encounter more variation in scenery.
As for today we have no pictures to offer, but our fun factor is still high.
To get in the right mood
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
mile 9924
Yesterday
World's Largest Tepee, Medicine Hat, AB
mile 9481
Waterton Lakes, AB - Glacier National Park, MT
Getting up Monday morning to a cloudy sky which suggested anything and everything but a gorgeous and sunny day, we left Waterton Lakes late morning to cross into the US via the Chief Mountain Pass, heading South to St. Mary, MT. Here we entered the Glacier NP and drove the road we couldn't do in June because of snow and land slides i.e. the "Going to the Sun Road" up to Logan Pass. Even so there was a stretch of 9 miles of road construction (a piece of cake for us now), the road is worth every mile to drive, providing stunning views of Mt. Logan and distant Mt. Simson. We then followed the road down to Aggar and West Glacier for a short stop for a late lunch and exited the park. We drove the less traveled southern loop of Hwy 2 to East Glacier, Hwy 49 to Kiowa (can recommend this one) and Hwy 89 to St. Mary and the Hyw. 17 north back to the border. We returned back to Waterton Lakes and settled down at the Prince of Wales Hotel for a couple of drinks, overlooking the lake and watching the sun go down. What better way to end a perfect day of great vistas and beautiful country
Getting up Monday morning to a cloudy sky which suggested anything and everything but a gorgeous and sunny day, we left Waterton Lakes late morning to cross into the US via the Chief Mountain Pass, heading South to St. Mary, MT. Here we entered the Glacier NP and drove the road we couldn't do in June because of snow and land slides i.e. the "Going to the Sun Road" up to Logan Pass. Even so there was a stretch of 9 miles of road construction (a piece of cake for us now), the road is worth every mile to drive, providing stunning views of Mt. Logan and distant Mt. Simson. We then followed the road down to Aggar and West Glacier for a short stop for a late lunch and exited the park. We drove the less traveled southern loop of Hwy 2 to East Glacier, Hwy 49 to Kiowa (can recommend this one) and Hwy 89 to St. Mary and the Hyw. 17 north back to the border. We returned back to Waterton Lakes and settled down at the Prince of Wales Hotel for a couple of drinks, overlooking the lake and watching the sun go down. What better way to end a perfect day of great vistas and beautiful country
Going to the Sun Road, Glacier NP, MT
Logan Pass, Glacier NP, MT
Descending to West Glacier, Glacier NP, MT
Classic Glacier NP transportation
Prince of Wales Hotel, Waterton Lakes, AB
Sunset over Waterton Lake, AB
"We must protect the forests for our children, grandchildren and children yet to be born. We must protect the forests for those who can't speak for themselves such as the birds, animals, fish and trees." - Chief Edward Moody
Monday, July 28, 2014
mile 9242
Hinton - Jasper - Columbia Parkway - Banff - Waterton National Parks
What can we say? First it was worth while to sit out the rain in Hinton and do some necessary things such as laundry, some education like visiting a museum, writing postcards to those at home, and for the body taking a bath in the Miette Hot Springs. So when finally the rain cleared and the blue sky opened up we continued our way South into Jasper and were surprised by the mountain range around us, hidden from us the past days by the low hanging rain clouds. The deep turquoise coloured lakes, the wildlife around it in the meadows full of flowers against the strong contrast of the mountains is simply a picture one can't get enough of it. But Jasper National Park served only as an appetizer as the way into the Columbia Icefield provided even more spectacular vistas and uncountable views to glaciers. There are so many mountain peaks and glaciers, we need a map to locate them all by name, but why bother, the view is what counts, and that is definitely breathtaking. We stopped at the Columbia Glacier and walked up to it, a little walk today, as the glacier is retreating very fast, and the forecast is that with the current rate the glacier will have vanished in about 100 years, and the place we stood will be perhaps a lake of the last run off water of the glacier. Pretty sad to be so near it and knowing that we are loosing a vital source of our drinking water supply. We follow the Continental Divide South, impressive to see how the two continental plates pushed each other up and down, a surreal picture thinking of the forces behind it. Anyways, this divide guides us into Banff National Park, and the town of Banff. It is like Petty's Market, or St, Moritz in Switzerland just on a smaller scale, but equally expansive and busy. Of course being weekend doesn't make it any better, so we just stayed for the night and left the next morning back to the mountains and quieter surrounding. A perfect day with crystal blue sky and crisp air created us, and we went South the Cowboy Trail, passed historic landmark "U-Ranch" and followed the Divide to Waterton Lakes National Park. What a relief being back in the mountains and the tranquility they provide.
What can we say? First it was worth while to sit out the rain in Hinton and do some necessary things such as laundry, some education like visiting a museum, writing postcards to those at home, and for the body taking a bath in the Miette Hot Springs. So when finally the rain cleared and the blue sky opened up we continued our way South into Jasper and were surprised by the mountain range around us, hidden from us the past days by the low hanging rain clouds. The deep turquoise coloured lakes, the wildlife around it in the meadows full of flowers against the strong contrast of the mountains is simply a picture one can't get enough of it. But Jasper National Park served only as an appetizer as the way into the Columbia Icefield provided even more spectacular vistas and uncountable views to glaciers. There are so many mountain peaks and glaciers, we need a map to locate them all by name, but why bother, the view is what counts, and that is definitely breathtaking. We stopped at the Columbia Glacier and walked up to it, a little walk today, as the glacier is retreating very fast, and the forecast is that with the current rate the glacier will have vanished in about 100 years, and the place we stood will be perhaps a lake of the last run off water of the glacier. Pretty sad to be so near it and knowing that we are loosing a vital source of our drinking water supply. We follow the Continental Divide South, impressive to see how the two continental plates pushed each other up and down, a surreal picture thinking of the forces behind it. Anyways, this divide guides us into Banff National Park, and the town of Banff. It is like Petty's Market, or St, Moritz in Switzerland just on a smaller scale, but equally expansive and busy. Of course being weekend doesn't make it any better, so we just stayed for the night and left the next morning back to the mountains and quieter surrounding. A perfect day with crystal blue sky and crisp air created us, and we went South the Cowboy Trail, passed historic landmark "U-Ranch" and followed the Divide to Waterton Lakes National Park. What a relief being back in the mountains and the tranquility they provide.
Jasper NP, Pyramid Mtn
Patricia and Pyramid Lake, Jasper NP
The Great Divide
Sunwapta Falls
Countless Glaciers, all have a name, don't ask me
Columbia Glacier
Banff, AB
Thursday, July 24, 2014
mile 8503
Hurra, we are on the road again!
The team at Mighty Peace Harley-Davidson had worked great and got the bike ready early morning, then cleaned it good and even added some parts for me, so we loaded our stuff shortly before lunch time and off we were. It felt good to roll again, the sun was shining and after we had left the city traffic we made our way down South on Hwy 40 towards Hinton and Jasper. The first 100 miles or so traffic was really bad, lots of big rigs with supplies for the surrounding oil fields, but once we were beyond those, riding was just a cruise. Nice gentle curves, good road, nice scenery, exactly what we needed after having been stranded for almost three days. We are still in the mood of the Yukon and Upper British Columbia, were ten cars a day was a traffic jam, and the plaines of northern Alberta simply don't have the charm of the rugged mountain terrain of the North. So coming South towards Jasper NP and into the Athabasca and Miette Valleys soothes a bit the loss of the North. We found a nice camp site (KOA) south of Hinton, and are happy, believe it or not, to sleep again in the tent and to cook our own meal. Great day!!
The team at Mighty Peace Harley-Davidson had worked great and got the bike ready early morning, then cleaned it good and even added some parts for me, so we loaded our stuff shortly before lunch time and off we were. It felt good to roll again, the sun was shining and after we had left the city traffic we made our way down South on Hwy 40 towards Hinton and Jasper. The first 100 miles or so traffic was really bad, lots of big rigs with supplies for the surrounding oil fields, but once we were beyond those, riding was just a cruise. Nice gentle curves, good road, nice scenery, exactly what we needed after having been stranded for almost three days. We are still in the mood of the Yukon and Upper British Columbia, were ten cars a day was a traffic jam, and the plaines of northern Alberta simply don't have the charm of the rugged mountain terrain of the North. So coming South towards Jasper NP and into the Athabasca and Miette Valleys soothes a bit the loss of the North. We found a nice camp site (KOA) south of Hinton, and are happy, believe it or not, to sleep again in the tent and to cook our own meal. Great day!!
Oil Fields all around, between Grande Prairie and Grande Cache, AB
Between Musket River and Entrande, AB
Camping in Hinton, AB
"Let me be a free man - free to travel, free to stop, free to work." - Chief Joseph
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
mile 8280 (+683 by car)
It's 3:00 AM and the alarm clock goes off to wake us up as our transport vehicle for the bike and us will pick us up at 4:00 AM. Punctual as a German our Yukon driver Jeff shows up and loads us and our belongings, and en route we are to Grande Prairie, AB. Being an early bird has the advantage that we are on the road as the sun comes up, and that is honored by seeing many animals as they start the day by feeding along the forest edge. We are lucky to see many Moose, cow w/calve, bulls, Bison, Caribou, Wolverines, Black Bear, it is unbelievable how many animals are active such early. This is an added bonus, but our goal is today to get the bike before 6:00 PM to Grande Prairie, AB so we know what's wrong and how to fix it. Off course road conditions work against our timing, as west of Fort Nelson, BC some major road works are slowing us down, then some more east of Fort Nelson, then some more around Fort St. John, and I'm getting worried. We continue to fly through Tyler, Dawson Creek, and Hythe, but having no time to stop in any of them to take in the impressions of those towns catering completely to the oil drilling industry in this area. Jeff is on a mission, only stops to fill the truck with gas, and we arrive at 4:45 PM at Mighty Peace Harley-Davidson in Grande Prairie, AB.
Now what can I say? The patient has been admitted, "Dr." Rick Gaynes and his team have examined the patient and diagnosed rear wheel bearing damage, treatment has started, and family members and friends are awaiting the recovery and a quick release from the hospital. But the patient has to stay overnight, and we will visit him tomorrow morning after the morning attendance by the team, and hope the patient can be released after lunch.
Now what can I say? The patient has been admitted, "Dr." Rick Gaynes and his team have examined the patient and diagnosed rear wheel bearing damage, treatment has started, and family members and friends are awaiting the recovery and a quick release from the hospital. But the patient has to stay overnight, and we will visit him tomorrow morning after the morning attendance by the team, and hope the patient can be released after lunch.
1422 miles remain the same, forward or backwards
The team of Mighty Peace Harley-Davidson, Grande Prairie, AB
"If you can’t get it going with bungee cords and duct tape, it’s serious." - Unknown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)