Day 29, Coeur d' Alene, Idaho USA

Our drive to Coeur d' Alene was an eventful one. Firstly we had to make a border crossing to bring us back into the good ole USA.  As normal Dirk was in front as we reached the Customs  Line. The booth was very tight and knowing that my RV was taller I convinced myself that I would not make it through and headed for the truck lane. Well this brought on fury from the Custom Nazi who got Colleen to radio me. When it was my turn to go through, this man, who never made a mistake in his life was not amused. I thought I was brightening  his morning.

Second Faux Pax .   As I approached the entrance to the Campground I overshot and went zooming into the ether .  Of course just when you need it their were no convenient places to turn around. Finally I could make the turn and head back to a waiting and amused Dirk and Colleen. Lets change the subject.

Great Campground.  We have predominately stayed at KOA' as we can "trust the brand" . But this is a reminder that non-KOA campgrounds can be as pleasant.

Day 28, Cranbrook BC

Today we visited Dirk's  sister Elizabeth  and brother in law Nester who live in Cranbrook. While Nester had offered to pick us up we chose to walk the one mile to enjoy a cup of coffee with them. While we had been promised better weather, a cold breeze made the walk a challenge. We took the ride back.

You could say that this marks the end point of our trip and today we start the journey home. Our first stop will be Coeur d' Alene ID, oh la la.
Yes, this town does exist ....in Idaho.

Day 27 Cranbrook BC

The drive to Cranbrook BC was absolutely beautiful. At the end you could say "ho hum, another snow covered peak" but I do not think you ever tire of this beauty. Cranbrook is a popular retirement town with a climate that beats much of Canada's harsh winter.

 After several days in the WI-FI wilderness, the world has returned to its natural state as the Cranbrook Campground has the "stuff". We are however discovering a new name for WI-FI as used by people from the Netherlands ( Could there be a connection to our own Dutch born WI-FI-in-Chief ? )
The correct Holland pronunciation is "WEE-FEE". It has a certain innocence to it.  "Do you have WEE-FEE"?.

Day 26 Banff, Alberta

Today we took the bus into Banff ( it was on time!)  This is a delightful small town. Surrounded by snow capped mountains and bounded by a river, it could come from a postcard. I think we would all agree  that out stay in Banff has been highly enjoyable. Tomorrow on to Cranbrook BC to visit with Dirk's sister and brother in law.

Day 25 Banff, Alberta

We made our way from Lake Louise to the Banff National Park Campground, a short, very pleasant hour drive. What a difference . The tree filled park is well laid  out and very neat and tidy . It is dominated by some impressive snow covered surrounding mountains.  The people that run Lake Louise should come and see what a campground should look like. Took many walks and even managed to see several Elk at close range. What a great day.
A historic note. The fathers that named Banff did so without knowing that there were more vowels in the English language.

Day 24 Lake Louise..

The day was damp and overcast but today was the day to visit Lake Louise. All of us have been here  before but I believe that  no amount of visits can prepare for the beauty of this scenic wonder. Appropriately on this Sunday, this was the day that the Lord has made. Be joyful in it.

Prior to the visit we had lunch at the Lake Louise Village. Driving and parking a RV does not give you many opportunities to "eat out" but this was one of them. As we were perusing the menu the server came over for a drinks order. Dirk casually asked if they had The WIFI. Oh no, say it is not so. A weak signal at best was all they could muster. Our  champion of the WIFI offered to "reboot" the router ( something like "kick the can" ) but she declined.  We had our meal but that restaurant will always be the poorer for not engaging our WIFI in chief.   

Day 23 Lake Louise, Alberta

At first the 174 mile drive to Lake Louise looked easy. After all the day before it was 280. But it was anything but easy with major ups and downs and tight curves on mostly single lane roads. You learn to appreciate the US Interstate system after you have spent a day on HW 1. For some reason not known to man nor beast,  you cannot make a reservation at Lake L . When you arrive you have to self register . This is a little like self confession. Fortunately we got  in early as by late afternoon it appeared to be nearly full. This is a Canadian National Park and is extremely popular but after all the good places we have visited, the campground is a disappointment . Hand it over to private enterprise Dirk and I say. They will install WIFI ( Dirk will ensure this ) provide full hookups ( presently  only electric ) provide satellite TV, pave the parking pads and generally landscape the area. With this done they could raise the daily rate which currently stands at $34. Some free advice for the bureaucrats at the Parks Board to self register.

Day 22, Sicamous BC, Canada

Today we would turn east but it was going to be one of those days, First the rain, buckets full of it . Both Dirk and I get  sopping unhooking the RV's while Faye and Colleen directed operations from the dry RV's. We had planned to leave early as we faced a border crossing and a 280 mile drive . W pulled out on time at 7: 45 and got through  the sleepy Canadian customs just after 8. We turned onto HW 1, the main Canadian East/West freeway which was surprisingly busy so that together with the rain made for and interesting drive. After 2 hours we started looking for a Rest Area stop. Either the Canadians have iron bladders or hide the rest areas, but none were to be found. Eventually  Colleen and Dirk stumbled onto a Plaza  that was not. Colleen called it out but through a little miscommunication on barely audible radios I breezed on by leaving us to scramble to establish where we would meet up. We planned to stop at a Walmart  so this became our target.  As a result of a quick fill  up by Dirk and slowing down on my part, Dirk and Colleen caught up and order was restored in the world.

Then the Walmart experience .

 The GPS Co-ordinates put the Walmart in the middle of a farmers field which we thought might  be wrong.( you cannot fool Dirk and I all the time) Actually it was on the other side of the road and a few miles on. After stocking up on provisions we took  a right instead of left when exiting Walmart. This sent the GPS ladies, Marylyn and Doris  into a frenzy and peace was only restored when were pointed in the right direction.

The KOA was very picturesque  but has room for improvement says the purveyor of KOA.s

Next on to Lake Louise AB

Day 21, Lynden WA Rest Day

What a great day  The weather was perfect and the surroundings exquisite. We had a wonderful rest day capped off with the Bal/Jacobs Burger and Red Wine - somehow that sounds wrong but it tastes great.
Now on our way to Canada to enjoy the Rockies.