Current Location: Kalispell, Montana
Today’s Song: Spirit of the West – Canadian Skye
A great song from one of my favorite bands, this evokes to me the wide open prairies, the exuberance I observed for Canada Day in Winnipeg and the Calgary Stampede. I listen to this and I think of the miles and miles of fields flying by under the wide Canadian skies.
With this I complete my swing through Canada, and I can reveal a bit of an easter egg – following Canadian content rules, all of the artists posted while I was north of the border were Canadian.
This was a big day – my last day in Canada and my first venture into the mountains. The more I travel the more I realize I am just not made for the flatlands. Mountains make my spirits soar. I drove the entire way through Glacier National Park with a big grin on my face because I was loving the drive so much! I took an enormous number of pictures even before and after Going-To-The-Sun Road through Glacier National Park – it took me almost 3 hours to go 50 miles because I was stopping so often.
I was up and out of Lindsey and Richard’s place in Chestermere by 7 AM. After a brief stop for coffee, it was straight down Alberta Highway 2. The tiny town of Pincher Creek turned out to have a wonderful little coffee shop that had the best breakfast sandwich (the bright yellow yolk shows how fresh the egg was, and it tasted great too!).
Stopping at a charming coffee house in Pincher Creek, Alberta for a breakfast sandwich and Americano. pic.twitter.com/3mX1hCWswp
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 8, 2017
The foothills gradually turned into small mountains as the landscape rose up around me.
Yep, this drive doesn’t suck. pic.twitter.com/X36z3G5i54
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 8, 2017
There was about a 15 minute wait at the Chief Mountain border crossing, but I just had a brief conversation with the officer and I was on my way.
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 8, 2017
Following a light lunch at a little cafe in St. Mary, Montana, that made a fantastic strawberry-rhubarb pie, it was off into Glacier National Park!
Ok, so maybe not *too* light if a lunch. But I can’t say no to strawberry rhubarb pie. It was delicious! pic.twitter.com/Fynbf5dGK0
— That Husky Guy (@DuncanDaHusky) July 8, 2017
Going-To-The-Sun Road is a 50-mile road through Glacier National Park. It is an engineering feat, and the views throughout are nothing short of stunning. At the gate to the park I found out there is a $30 fee to use the park for a day, or for $80 you can get an annual pass good 12 months from purchase. Considering I’ll be going to Yosemite National Park next week and knowing the dire financial straits of the National Park Service, I was more than happy to purchase an annual pass. Even if I never use it again I feel it’s money well spent!
I hate to do this but it’s crazy late and I have to be up early in the morning; I will refer you to my Twitter feed for photos (and videos!) inside the park. The trip was incredible and one that I hope to repeat when I have more time (those lakes beg for some quality kayaking time!).
Tomorrow I am off to Richland, Washington. Not much there, but it’s a good stopping point along the way, plus I will be meeting up with a friend for dinner. It should be a great time!
Miles Driven Today: 331 miles
Time Driving Today: 8:26
Total Miles Driven: 1,718 miles
Total Time Driving: 37:15