August 2, 2013 – Back to the United States

A cool and overcast morning greeted us as we left Maple Creek and headed for Glacier National Park.  As we approached the Saskatchewan-Alberta border, we were struck by the total absence of trees along the highway or as far as we could see in any direction.

Homes were few and often miles apart. 

Hay

and wheat

appeared to be the primary crops.

 After entering

We drove through Medicine Hat, home of what is billed as the World’s Largest Teepee,

before turning southwest for Lethbridge

Despite the rain, however we were cheered up by

How can you not smile?

 Once we passed Cardston, Alberta, with only 12 miles

to the US Border and just 20 miles beyond that to our campground we figured we’d be there by shortly after 1:00 PM.  The road was relatively clear of traffic

And, despite the continuing rain and occasional downpour, we continued to make good time … UNTIL we came in sight of the border crossing station.

12:40 PM

2:00 PM

Glancing back at 3:00 PM

Just as we actually neared the inspection station at around 3:20 PM Debbie spied both a young buck

And red-wing blackbird.

Then finally …

3:40 PM

Once entering the inspection area, it took less than five minutes for the customs officer to process our passports, ask a few routine questions and wave us on our way

While we had all the facilities of home … we felt sorry for those on motorcycles as waves of rain swept through the area and even more for the parents of small children needing a bathroom (for whom there were two choices … a ½ to 1 mile walk to the Canadian Customs Building on the Alberta side of the border or beside the car).

Once we finally reached

it was a fairly quick and uneventful 20 minute trip to St. Mary.  However, I was so focused on the road and rain that I missed such things as a bright red vehicle I never saw until reviewing Debbie’s photos.

As we passed Lower St. Mary Lake, we got our first glimpse of some of the nearby peaks of Glacier National Park through breaks in the low cloud cover

and finally our campground for the next two days across the lake.

Rather than cook, we opted for the Chicken Bar-B-Que being put on by the campground … delicious!

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We were not certain what to expect when we decided to take a week and work our way across Canada’s central plain provinces.  However, we were more than pleasantly surprised!

Winnipeg and Regina, in particular, are interesting places to see and tour.  As much as anything else it has been a week-long history lesson which we thoroughly enjoyed.  Looking back, I only wish we’d had more time in Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

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