July 2, 2007

Day 2 at Pine Creek

Arose at 3:30 to get Julie to the Calgary airport for her return to Las Vegas. Her plane was due to leave at 6:30 (it did not actually depart 'til 8:30 due to mechanical problems.) and we were about 30 miles from the airport. Sure enjoyed our time with Julie. She's a low maintenance camper.

The day was offically designated a 'cleaning day' so the rig got a thorough cleaning, inside and out, as did the CRV. Janice spent the day pumping 'loonies' (Canadian dollar coins) into washers and dryers. It was tough to get laundry change, as today was a holiday--banks were closed and Walmart and Safeway wouldn't break my American money. Finally found a cooperative chap at the nearby liquor store.

Initial impressions of Calgary: They have a wonderful transportation infrastructure, built for the Olympics; very cosmopolitan---a mix of colors; food is expensive. We are enjoying very nice weather (80 degrees, but a local Canuck said it would be a "30 degree scorcher" by the weekend. In fahrenheit that equals about 90 degrees.

Since we will be here for the next week, I'll hold off on Calgary photos for now.

July 1,2007

Calgary, Canada

Pine Creek RV Campground

This was a day of highs and lows. Carly awakened a 'healed' dog. Her front leg difficulties having disappeared and she rewarded Julie's early morning stroll with a "7-spot". We have found that it makes for a cleaner campground if you count 'em on the way out. That way you know how many to pick up and you don't leave a straggler for some unsuspecting soul walking along the same path.

With Carly feelin' better, we broke camp, sending Julie to the local coffee hut for lattes and hot chocolate. As we backed out of our space, a nearby camper hollered "flat tire!" And it was indeed. The left front tire was totally deflated and the bead had separated from the rim. Had we not stopped immediately, it would have meant sure tire damage and a tire that was totally off the rim. I tried not to panic, but we were 45 miles from the nearest 'burg" (Cardston), and this was the Canadian fourth of July (July 1). Julie's flight was leaving on July 2 at 6:30 a.m. from Calgary, some 160 miles away. I called my Progressive Insurance road service and they sent a geezer with an air tank who would pump dear life back into the tire, miraculously seating it back on the rim. After a stop at the local service station to boost the pressure to 100 lbs (and finding nary a leak by the soapy water test), we were on our way, delayed by some 1 1/2 hours. Our plan going forward was to check the tire pressure at each burg along the way.

Fortunately, the pressure held at the first check point, so we reattached the toad and headed north, stopping along the way at "Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump", a featured tourist attraction along NB Canadian Hwy 2. This is a spot where, historically, the Indians (feather type) herded terrified buffalo over a cliff, causing them to meet their demise as they splatted on the ground some 50 feet below.

What was underplayed (or not played at all) was the fact that it is reasonably probable that many of these buffalo were not killed by the fall, but merely crippled by the fall, possibly by a broken back or (pick your number) up to four broken legs. They laid in a growing, groaning pile writhing in agony until the Indians dispatched them to the 'tatatonka field in the sky' with a swift clubbing by a modified tomahawk. These tomahawks were featured in the interpretive center as being used to break the bones of the recently deceased, but we know better, don't we? It was 'final wallop time' for the critters.

Now, I really don't have a problem with these bison-killers storing up a bit of pemmican or buffalo jerky. A diet of prairie dogs makes for lean stew and a skinny tribe. But where is PETA, the protector of all things four-footed and two footed (if webbed or claw-footed ) when it comes to this bison-bashing??? Do you sense the old double standard here? They are slamming the beef mills and chicken houses who stun their food fare with merciful electro-shock before the guillotine. No pain or suffering there, except the word of mouth (or beak) rumors that spread moos and clucks of horror back down the line to those in the 'chute.' But the Indians get a pass here. Time to bring the PETA protestors to "Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump."

We arrived at Pine Creek, a very nice park 20 miles south of the city center, then scurried to downtown Calgary to give Julie a view from the famous Calgary tower and the street of (merchant) dreams created for past winter Olympics. A very cosmospolitan city with touches of San Francisco and Portland noted. Had 'brats' and soft drinks for dinner at Olympic Square. Back at the rig, we were greeted by Larry and Evelyn Stark, our Mexico wagon-masters. "Ola, senor and senorita."

June 30,2007

Waterton Park, day 2

Just after returning from dinner last night, the wind began blowing at us across the lake. Whitecaps were forming. As we hit the rack, the wind started to roar, and the rig was shaking. We pitied the tent campers around us.

Waking up this morning, the wind was still howling. I went to the marina to see if our scheduled ferry ride was still on. It was. I picked up “two non-fat hazelnut lattes, please” at the local coffee hut and returned to the rig, ready for the day’s activities.

Our boat, the SS International, built in 1927, shoved off at 10. We were headed to the south end of Waterton Lake, a spot recommended to us by fellow Mexico tour campers. After cruising about 45 minutes into a gale-force wind, we docked in a calm bay at Goat Haunt Ranger Station, MT, USA.. Our desired hike, to the Goat Haunt Overlook, required us to present passports to the U.S. Ranger.

That done, it was a steep (800 feet up in one mile) hike to a beautiful view. Fields of wildflowers surrounded parts of the trail. Julie was doing her best to become bear fodder as she raced alone ahead of wheezing mom and dad.

After enjoying the view and snapping a video, it was back down the hill and on to hike number 2, Rainbow Falls. This was an easy hike and we enjoyed our sandwiches and Pringles for lunch. We returned to the dock for our 2:25 departure and our reward of ice cream cones back in Waterton. (Waterton, BTW, probably is Janice’s favorite place she’s ever visited in her whole life—of course, she’s not done Europe, yet.)

Upon returning home, the campground was full (this is a Canadian holiday weekend like our 4th of July weekend.) Several tents had sprung up next to us, and the inhabitants thereof parked one of their many cars behind our rig. ( There was a gathering of what I surmised to be Pakastanis, complete with muslim headwear for the ladies. They were not pleased when we asked them to 'move it'! Eventually the car was moved.

Carly, who had waited for our return in the rig, was “out of sorts.” Her already weakened hind quarters were now joined by a troublesome front right leg. She had trouble standing and walking, and it was “time for a walk.”

The closest vet (Cardton) was 50 miles away. He said that it was a good sign that Carly ate, and was in no apparent pain, but surmised with me that she may have had a mini-stroke. I administered baby aspirin, and at this point, it’s just wait and see. She is in no pain, but she recognizes the severity of her disability. It’s tough seeing an old dog go downhill, especially a road-dog and trail-dog like Carly.