Cruising with the Cowan's

Day 30 05/31/18 Left Glendive, MT. and are now in Bismarck, ND.  Farm and cow country.  In another KOA as they have the best ratings in the area.  Just heard on the radio of tornado alerts.  Currently temp is 82 and calm.  Spoke to the office and they assured us that they have a storm cellar and most of the campers could fit in it.  Very reassuring.  We are holed up inside the trailer with the A/C blasting.  Thunder and lightning storms are predicted for later this evening.  Might be interesting. Currently we are having some Brie and crackers.  Just because we're camping doesn't mean we have to ruff it. Time now is 8 P.M.  Seems the tornado watch is over and we were missed.  Mandan, a community about 20 miles away was hit pretty hard.  It just started to sprinkle, so we put the BBQ away and shut the door, and just listen to the rain on the roof.  Very soothing.

Day 29 05/30/18 We have arrived in Glendive MT.  Where the heck is Glendive, you ask?  Halfway between Billings, MT. and Bismark, ND.  A small town of about 5,500 souls.  Not much to see here but just wanted to rest our bones before heading out tomorrow for Bismark.  We are approaching our second month on the road, and found a few discrepancies with the trailer that we have had to attend to.  The other night in Billings, we were in a tremendous rain storm.  Sue noticed a leak in one of the overhead sun vent over the shower.  Fortunately it just leaked directly into the shower.  We called a mobile RV tech the following morning and he came by and re caulked the vent.  Glad it was in a water proof area, the shower.  So far, other that a leaking vent, and a faulty tongue jack, the trailer has performed admirably.  No complaints.  Just hit the local Albertsons for some fill in food items and now at the campground, which is a...

Day 28 5/29/18 I guess you have all been wondering where have I been.  Well that cold took hold of me and for two days I slept while Sue took care of the chores.  Hot tea was nice as was all the TLC that came my way.  Finally awakened this morning with a somewhat normal voice and energy to go.  The reason we headed over this way was to see Custer's Battlefield.  Wow.  A large valley surrounded by hills where thousands of native american's camped with their families.  The battle raged for two days and finally Custer's band of 300 soldiers was annihilated by three thousand enraged Native Americans.  There are tombstones scattered all over with names of soldiers who died in battle.  They were scalped and mutilated and their clothes were taken.  There is a long road that at each significant part of the battle is described.  Although Custer was a General and had graduated from West Point, he was third from the bottom of his class. W...

Day 26  05/27/18 We arrived in Billings, MT at about 2 P.M.  An uneventful trip through vast stretches of territory.  A number of ranches dotting the country side.  I am still battling a cold, but with the help of Cold-Eze, it has shortened the coughing spells.  Still a little weak, so I decided a nap made a lot of sense.  Took, same.  We find ourselves in a KOA which I am not a fan of, but they had the highest ratings in the area.  They are usually set up as a destination location for families with children.  Place looks like a miniature Disneyland.  Swimming pool, Adventure miniature golf course, hot tub, jungle jim, etc.  You get the picture.  All with a bunch of screaming kids.  Ugh.  I have to reflect on W.C. Fields line of "Get away from me kid. you bother me."

Day 25  05/26/18 Today is a lay around day.  Got up this morning with a raging cold and sore throat.  Sue has been a perfect Florence Nightingale taking care of me.  The radio had been forecasting flood warnings for the last two days.  Last night we had a little lightning and some rain.  Nothing to be concerned with.  Today is a beautiful day with temps around 75.  Perfect.  Tomorrow we pick up and head for  fBillings, MT where there is a Costco.  Hurray.

Day 24  05/25/18 Our last day in Great Falls and we are compelled to see where the name came from.  Back in the car and out to the middle of nowhere to see one of the friggin falls.  Seems the Louis and Clark expedition found this falls.  However in the early 1900's the city fathers thought it would be a great idea to build a dam and make electricity.  Here is a pic of their efforts. From here we went to the First Peoples Buffalo jump.  This remarkable geologic area has been used for thousands of years by local tribes to drive buffalo up and over the hills to kill them for food and their hides.  One of the interesting facts we learned was that the natives for thousands of years were barefoot.  The horse was not introduced to North America until the 1700's.  It was said that native tribes from all over the area came to use the buffalo jump.  Supposedly there is 18' of buffalo debris still buried beneath the hill.  Not much...

Day 23  5/24/18 It has been a busy day.  I forgot to mention that our front tongue jack quit working two days ago.  I do have a backup manual handle which is a son of a gun to work with.  About 200 turns to lift off the ball and another 200 turns to lower the front so the floor is level.  I contacted Lance who manufactured our trailer and they informed me that I had to contact Lippert who made the jack for a warranty replacement.  In the mean time, we are in the middle of nowhere trying to get service.  To make a long story short we contacted a Lippert dealer at our next stop in two days.  They of course did not have a replacement but could order one from Seattle.  I asked them to order it and I recontacted Lippert and they said they would pay for parts and labor.  Hurray!!  I did not mention that when we were still in Canada the local dealer would be happy to sell and install one for about $400.  No Thanks!!  We pulled ...

Day 22  05/23/18 Nice to be back in the states.  Here in Babb, Wyoming at the tip of the glaciers.  I did go to the local Black Foot Indian Nation run grocery store.  Mostly canned and boxed items with large cooler space, empty.  I asked if they were going out of business, but it seems we are still ahead of the tourist season, so no reason to stock the produce and meat counters yet.  In spite of selling items at a big profit margin, they were still cheaper by far than the same item in Canada.  As we were driving on the Road To The Sun, I remarked to Sue, how may different states license plates we saw in just the first hour.  While traveling in Canada for three weeks, we only saw at most 4 different states plates.  I guess most travelers are aware of how expensive Canada can be.  Or possibly we were still ahead of the crowds.  In any event, it is also nice to not have to convert kph to mph on the speedometer. Enough said....

Day 21  05/22/18 Today we leave Canada.  It has been interesting, beautiful, expensive and truly awesome.  We are preparing to cross the border back into the U.S.  We have our passports and Gracies shot records.  Hope that is all that is required. Entering Canada was very easy, let's see what crossing back will be like.

Day 20  05/21/18 Off today to the Heritage museum.  A huge 127 acre complex complete with an operating steam enging, a car museum, many old houses that have been moved to the museum grounds.  We started in the car museum which was very interesting.  There was a large collection of antique gasoline pumps.  All were restored and painted.  Many different types that showed the progress from basic pumps which were manually pumped to newer types from the '50s.  The many different types with dials of all types and pumps of all colors.  Then we walked into the car portion where they had a number of antique cars and work trucks.  I took a picture of a restored Cord that was truly museum quality.  Also a collection of work vehicles that have also been restored. Walked our feet off with Gracie in her backpack on me.  Finally saw all that was of interest and headed back to the electric trolley to take us back to our car.  Back to...

Day 19 5/20/18 We decided to forego Calgary and head out to Drumheller.  Sue found this place which is about an hour and a halfs drive from our campground.  Seems it is a world  class dinosaur museum adjacent to where some of the bones were found.  The crowds were enormous.  Huge parking lots filled with cars while others were circling like vultures looking for another carcass.  Traveling with Gracie does put a crimp in some of the attractions we visit.  So, Gracie and I spent the afternoon napping in the car while Sue had the time of her life amongst all the exhibits.  Unfortunately it is still Victoria Day so the museum was filled with young parents and screaming children.  Just what I would need.  No thanks.  In any event, Sue had a great time wandering all through the museum.  Set in the rugged Alberta badlands, the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.   (British spelling.)  Displays one of the worlds lar...

Day 18 05/19/18 Today finds us in Calgary.  Truly a large city of over 1 million people.  After driving thru downtown, it seems my fascination in visiting Calgary was vastly overestimated.  The buildings are large and tall and very interesting architecture.  I was expecting a romanticized idea of a "cow town."  Not so.  Very sophisticated and city like.  We are here for three days and I'm sure we can find things to see.  The wind is constant and starting to become annoying.  Currently it is 63 degrees, but with that constant wind, a fleece is a necessary dress item. Calgary is very much involved in the energy industry.  Oil and gas are nearby and have fueled a great awakening from the old Calgary which was known as a cow town. Tomorrow we head over to Drumheller which is known for fossils. 

Day 17 5/18/18  Awakened to a chilly 42 degrees.  We got up early as Sue had found a Banff Walk that she wanted us to take.  It met at either 10 A.M., or 2 P.M.  We wanted to get an early start for our day so that we could take the 10 A.M. one hour hike and then have the afternoon for a trip to Lake Louise.  Which was only about 30 miles away.  Because of some booking problems online, we decided to make our way to Lake Louise and take the afternoon trip.  We were thinking about grabbing breakfast in town and then heading for Lake Louise.  Now, with Gracie, we could only eat at restaurants that had an outside patio.  We both concurred that sitting outside in 42 degree was not a great idea.  So we nuked a couple of Jimmy Deans breakfast sandwiches and headed for Lake Louise.  Normally in season the roads would be clogged with tourists wanting to see the lake.  Fortunately it was still early seasonwise that we got there quickly a...

Day 16 05/17/18 Today was a travel day from Jasper National park to Banff National Park.  Not a large distance but we wanted to see both areas.  We are at Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court.  This is a sprawling rv park with over 300 full hookup spots.  The weather was overcast and a slight spitting of rain.  No deluge but a steady spit.  Sue did laundry while Gracie and I went back to the trailer and recharged our collective batteries. (Nap)  Sue called to be picked up and then we went to the local market for supplies.  You know, hardtack, flour, beans, etc.  Tomorrow we will explore the area.  While looking for the local supermarket, we cruised the local village.  Very quaint.  Looking forward to seeing what there is to see.  I am including a photo we took along the way, of a semi-frozen lake up at about 6,500'.

Day 14 05/15/18 We are staying in town and relaxing today.  Walk around, fill in some groceries and maybe pizza tonight.  Internet continues to be a problem.  We are limited to .5 GB per day.  That and the overwhelming number of people wanting to use the internet, makes it virtually impossible to jump on and get fast service, if any service at all.  One more day here and off to Banff National Park for two days and explore Lake Louise while there.  The campground is booked solid as this coming weekend is of course a 3 day holiday weekend.  Victoria Day!  Who knew?

Wednesday Day 15    05/16/18 We started out this morning for Meline Lake, as the weather report called for P.M. thunderstorms.    About an hours drive and climbing to    5500’ we arrived.    On the way we stopped at a lookout to Meline Lookout which gave a terrific view of the canyon.    This is a picture of Meline Lake.   Nothing prepared us for the spectacular view of the lake itself.   Although is was 66 degrees the lake still had a layer of ice to the depth of about an inch.   We walked around the water front but it was still too early in the season for the restaurant to open or the boat dock to rent boats. After watching yet another tour bus pull up and disgorge it’s load of Asians we started back down the mountain.   After a few miles we pulled over at a picnic spot I had seen on the way up.   It was beside the river flowing from the lake.   There were a few picnic tables so w...

Day 13 05/14/18    I am writing this on my computer because the Internet is almost unusable to post to my blog.   We are camping at Whistlers Campground in Jasper National Park.   Which is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. This is one of the steam locomotives that used to pull thru town.   We set off this morning to Athabasca Falls.   A huge waterfall that has eaten away at the rock creating a spectacular falls.   I am adding a photo I took of a bear trap at the campground entrance.   Bears are a problem and all food and other types of treats must be kept inside the trailer.   On to Athabasca Falls.   I will try and add a fabulous pic of the falls if this internet will allow.   I have added a picture of a crow at the falls.   This was the largest crow I have ever seen.   Probably about 5 lbs.   Seems that there are a h...

Day 12  05/13/18  Well another adventure.  We miscalculated our laundry needs and we ran out of clean stuff.  No laundry at the campground we were at and non in town.  Checking further it turns out that Jasper has three laundries but since it is Sunday we had to get to town early enough to get the laundry done.  So up early and on the road by 9.  Stopped for gas a few times and pulled into Jasper early afternoon.  Sue jumped out with the laundry, laundry pods and lots of cash.  She loaded the washers and we went off to get a bite of lunch.  Then took the trailer to the campground and set it up.  By that time the laundry was done and we picked it up and stopped off at the local market to stock up on dinner items.  Back to the campground with clean clothes stuff for our stomachs and a nap.

Day 11 05/12/18  We took the highway out of Hope on our way to Clearwater, B.C.  This is halfway to Jasper National Park our destination.  This is a golf course/RV park.  What a misnomer.  We pulled off the highway and pulled into their lot.  Many signs for the clubhouse but nary a sign for the campground.  So followed a sign directing us to the campground.  We took a narrow gravel path to the rear "40" of the golf course.  There they had roughed out some flat spaces with electrical and water.  No sewer.  In any event we backed in and set up.  Sue mentioned that she saw a sign that the property was for sale.  Guess the additional RV income was not what they expected.  Tomorrow on to Jasper where we will be spending three days exploring the local area, and then on to Banff and Lake Louise.  Major tourist attractions, but truly spectacular sights.  I will fill you in when we get there.  Overall so far it ...

Day 10 05/11/18  Headed off to Hell's Gate Air tram.  A 40 minute drive to a gondola suspended over the Frazier River.  Scary to contemplate but I guess it is safe.  As we arrived the parking lot was empty.  What tha??  Turns out that is closed indefinitely for repairs.  Glad we were told before hand.  Now back to Hope?  Not much else to do.  Headed to Hope and ate at the Blue Moose Cafe.  We were beaten in the door by a full busload of tourists from Europe on a cheap holiday in Canada.  Waited about 30 minutes for our sandwiches and Gracie sat and watched.  We have walked her little legs off.  Far more walking then she usually does at home  Still a little trooper.  Trotted over to Buy-Low Foods for a chicken for dinner.  Back to the trailer and watched a 40' motor home with a car attached behind, park next to us.  Seems that is a couple our age from Colorado who a year ago, retired sold everything...

Day 9  05/10/18  We left Vancouver this morning and headed to Hope, B.C.  Halfway between Vancouver and Jasper National Park.  Only about 130 miles and an easy drive.  We are staying at Wild Rose Campground and RV Park.  Rather a primitive park but full hookups.  Our first assigned spot was so uneven we could not level the trailer.  So found another one and set up here.  After resting we headed into Hope.  Seems there isn't much hope for Hope.  A dreary little village on the way to Jasper.  Stopped off at Buy-Low Foods for some dinner fixin's.  Not much here but up the road about 40 miles is Hell's Gate.  This is a tram ride over the raging river in a gondola car.  Should be pretty exciting.  Hope to get some pics to add.  The process for adding pics to this blog is somewhat cumbersome.  I take a picture with my mobile phone and then email it to my email address.  All would be good, however th...

Day 8  05/09/18  I know I have been a day behind in posting.  Yesterday was a lay about the campground.  We did take a ride thru Stanley Park which is huge.  Saw some interesting views and I have included a pic of one of them.  The internet is quite problematical  Verizon throttles you after .5 GB.  I am trying to import a photo to this blog but no luck yet.  Will probably appear tomorrow.  Today is a travel day to Hope, B.C.  Will be there for two nights looking over the area.  I was looking for a market for some dinner items.  Asked Google and lo and behold a half mile away was a huge Whole Foods market.  Still isn't cheap but beautiful produce, meats and lots of snacks.  Although Vancouver is a very modern city the traffic is abominable.  Not sure I could commute every day in the traffic. 

Day 7  05/08/18  Spent the day at the campground, cleaning the trailer.  Sue swept and then cleaned the floor after I returned from the hardware store with the necessary items.  We then spent the afternoon chatting with our German neighbor.  Eventually dinner time arrived and we headed off to a Chinese restaurant for a fine dinner.  Just returned and starting to stow some items so that we can get a head start on tomorrow. Interesting story.  At our campground is a custom built 2 story trailer which I have attached a picture of.  Seems this woman who lived in the area with a room mate decided she wanted to live alone.  Rents are very high here and she couldn't afford an apartment by herself.  So she petitioned the tribe that owns the campground we are currently in to ask if she could bring in a custom trailer and live in it full time.  They agreed, so she had a trailer brought in and carpenters built a second story onto the chassis...

Day 6  05/07/18  A day late but having internet connection problems.  Decided to take a drive to Whistler, a ski resort and where the Winter Olympics were held.  Started on the Sea to Sky highway and left Vancouver skirting the Howe Sound.  Huge sound with many islands, some inhabited and some vacant.  A very curvy highway.  Stopped halfway at Squamish a little town where we had a pleasant lunch.  Looking above from the restaurant you are surrounded by the snow covered Cascades.  I asked the waitress if they got a lot of snow in Squamish over the winter.  Well, we do get two large snow storms and then lots of rain.  How cold does it get?  Well with the wind chill factor about -14 degrees.  But she went on to say she was originally from Alberta where it gets about -45. Ouch.   Here in Canada you can't bring your pet inside but you can sit outside if they have a seating area.  However, around each seating area...

Day 5  05/6/18  What a day.  Got up and went to see Gassy Jack.  And who is Gassy Jack, you ask?  He was called gassy because he talked a lot.  Not what you thought.  He was instrumental in preserving a number of old buildings in the downtown area.  After seeing the Gassy Jack statue we had lunch at a wonderful seafood restaurant.  We then proceeded to walk the area looking at many of the old buildings that have been preserved and are now modern office buildings.  We had Gracie with us so we ate outside and had to place her outside of a wrought iron fence surrounding the eating area.  Finally got back in the car and drove thru a huge China town area.  The back to Granville Island for another look at the many stores and markets on this small island.  We bought some huge strawberries that we shared with some campers on either side of us.  We went into a small shop where they make brooms from twigs.  We bought a sma...

Day  4 5/5/18  Off to Vancouver Lookout.  A rather tall building in downtown Vancouver.  Went up to the top and got a birds eye view of the city.  Quite a large view.  Vancouver seems to spread out in all directions.  A clean delightful town with traffic problems similar to other large cities.  After going up the elevator to the top and spending some time, we came down and then headed to Granville Island.  It's an island with lots of shops of clothing, food, markets of much produce, cheeses, meats, etc.  We got some sandwiches and walked around and enjoyed ourselves.  We then headed back to the trailer and relaxed for the rest of the day. This is the Vancouver Lookout.  We are at the second window on the right at the lower section of the circle on top.  If you look closely you can see me waving. Here is a picture of the view from up there.

Day 3 5/4/18  Woke up this morning to another nice day.  Sun is shining and low 60's.  Got ourselves together and headed to Stanley Park.  A huge waterfront park with huge cargo ships moored awaiting unloading at the docks.  Walked around the park circumference for a bit.  Gracie walked for a bit and then was all in.  We have a daypack which is for small dogs, which I put on and put Gracie inside.  I hope to have some pics of same. We had also been told that Vancouver has some of the best Indian restaurants other than India.  While we were dining at Subway before entering Canada a very nice Indian gentlemen, his wife and I assume his mother-in-law stopped in their Mercedes and promptly had a Starbucks which was adjacent to our Subway.  On the way out I asked if he was from Vancouver as he had Canadian plates on his car.  He was and then I asked for any recommendations for an Indian restaurant.  He lit up and proceeded ...

Day 2.  5/3/18  Today we head to another country.  Canada.  We have our passports and copies of Gracies rabies shot.  Have filled with gas across the street from the campground at the Safeway station.  Will have more to add as the day progresses. Well after a rather uneventful crossing we are in another country.  Air smells the same, cars and traffic look no different, nor the people.  We pulled into Capilano River RV Park a little after 2 in the afternoon.  After a very nourishing lunch at Subway we are now in our space.  The spaces are so tight that we had to ask for another one as both sides of our trailer were touching the picnic tables from both sites.  Found another and backed in.  Amazingly we are about 150 feet from a very busy freeway but we cannot hear it.  We did have one casualty of a beer that had fallen out of the refrigerator and spilled on the floor.  Additionally, our coffee grinder fell out of a cab...

05/02/18  Well after a couple of false starts, we finally left Portland.  While traveling, we discovered that the refrigerator was not keeping cold.  A quick call to our dealer, we first headed off to their facility which was on the way.  After a quick stop tech discovered a poor crimp on a wire.  A quick squeeze and all was well.  Then headed to our first stop of our trip in Bothell, WA.  Lake Pleasant RV Park is across the street from a Safeway, always a pleasant discovery and we are on a small lake.  Lots of ducks and a really idealic spot.  I will try and add some photos.  Setting up camp is always a chore when trying to find all the little items that we need, and placing them where we will remember where they are. View from our campsite.