8/29 Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, CA

If you have been to Glacier National Park in the U.S. on the border of Canada, you may know that the lake and the glaciers continue into Canada as Waterton Lakes National Park.  When I was in the U.S. Glacier National Park a few years ago, I took a full-day bus tour that took us along the Going-to-the-Sun Road and also briefly into the little town of Waterton in Canada.  It had a fantastic campground that bordered an attractive little town, so I decided to go there as soon as I could. Unfortunately, COVID interfered with my plans when the border was closed.  

So, last year I planned a several week trip from Michigan, along the TransCanada Highway to Waterton that would also include several other places in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.  Plans included stopping on the North Shore of Lake Superior,  Lake Louise, Banff, Calgary, and Jasper.  So, here I am finally in Waterton Lakes National Park Campground!!

The last few days of driving took me from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and Medicine Hat, Alberta, to Waterton, and that meant I went from the prairies to the Rocky Mountains in one day.  Frankly, it was a pretty sudden change.

On Tuesday of this past week, I came across this area of what looked like snow in the prairie. Actually, there were several companies using salt brine ponds to produce salt.  You could see a light layer of salt on the ponds that had been dragged into rows of salt hills.  Very strange looking!  You can see how flat and barren this land is, in any case, because we had left most of the wheat fields of Saskatchewan behind us.  Also, nice to not have much traffic on the highway.

Tuesday started out nice and sunny, and warm, with only a few clouds in the sky.  That was to change fast.

 

 

As I got closer to the Rockies in mid-afternoon, I could see some serious storm clouds in the distance.  (Please excuse the occasional bug splatters on my windshield.  I'd been trying to wash them away with windshield fluid, but it was not enough.)

And the rain begins and got heavier the closer I got to the mountains!!

My technique for taking photos while driving is to point my camera towards the front, through the windshield, and take a lot of photos, hoping a few will be good.  Today, I had to take photos between wiper passes!

One advantage of the heavy rain was that it cleaned my windshield!  As I drove past the entrance booth, it was raining heavily, and I felt sorry for the three bike riders that had 2-3 miles to go before they got to shelter.  (Happy in such instances to have a nice, warm motorhome.)

This is the famous Prince of Wales hotel, perched on a hill with views over the lake and the mountains.

Almost there, but impressed with the craggy mountains. 

After checking into the campground, I managed to race outside just long enough to hook up my electrical connection and to get my water hose out to add just enough fresh water to my tanks. 

What a difference 36 hours make!  After spending yesterday completely inside because of the cold temps and heavy winds, I woke up this morning to sunshine and much better views of the mountains surrounding the campground.  (High yesterday was 47℉ and low overnight was 37℉--not exactly what I expect in August.  I kept two small electrical heaters going all night and used my down throw as an extra blanket.)  

High today is expected to be 66℉, although lows tonight will only be 41℉.  Highs Friday and Saturday are expected to be a more reasonable 72℉ and 74℉, respectively. 

This afternoon I walked the few blocks through town to the ticket booth for the boat tours of the lake.  I am going to take the two-and-a-half-hour Saturday 1 p.m. tour that goes all the way down the lake into the U.S. and stops at a ranger station at the end.  You don't need a passport for this tour, so I assume they check you in and out.  

You can see the Prince of Wales hotel in the distance.  Love that location! 

Saw this door at the restroom and assumed it was a single handicapped room.  But it was the only door I could find, so I went in and was surprised to find a man cleaning a large restroom.  I checked the door and realized that this was a combination restroom as I had seen a few times in Europe or the UK.

 

Basically, this is a "uni" facility for both men and women.  The stall doors go all the way to the floor and the ceiling, so there is complete privacy, but it is a little concerning the first time you experience one of these!!

After getting my ticket for Saturday and using the uni restroom, I headed to the little shops and restaurants just a block away.  Even did some Christmas shopping for a couple of people, who shall remain nameless!  (Most of my holiday shopping for my family is done in tourist towns or national park visitor center gift shops!)

Headed back to the campground and found this little park on the lake.  

After the rain all day yesterday and the day before, today was sunny but windy, as you can see by the whitecaps on the lake.

There was a major fire in this Canadian national park just a year ago, so most of the mountains are covered with dead trees. 

A view of part of the campground and my motorhome.

Can't beat waking up to these views!

I'm going to the visitor center tomorrow and see if there are any places I can drive my motorhome to nearby.  Wish I could hike or at least walk long distances, but those days are gone.