Click to Enlarge Photos
(Sorry about my update tardiness. The internet connection at the hotel ain't the fastest)
Well today started out like the rest of the days so far and that was good. We gathered for breakfast at the hotel and an hour later, we were on the road.
Today our final destination would be Calgary, Canada via Glacier National Park. After about a 50 mile ride, we arrived at the West Entrance of Glacier National Park. Before entering the park we stopped to layer up on our clothing, ( for some reason an Antelope Valley type wind began blowing as we approached the park that chilled the air) and to check the bikes one last time, as the next leg of the ride through Glacier was going to be a little treacherous.
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| Susan, Barbara, Carolyn and Linda |
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| In line to enter Glacier National Park |
The Going to the Sun Road runs from the West entrance of Glacier National Park to the town of St. Marys on the other side. In between, there is Logan Pass Summit at over 6000 feet. This would be our route through the park on our way to Canada
As we entered the park, I think we were all immediately amazed at the beautiful scenery of Glacier National Park. The photos that we took cannot convey the true beauty we witnessed.
We stopped at a turnout to view a water fall and take some pictures. The group photo was taken by Mike. Another group photo was taken by a passerby and included Mike in the picture, but the photo turned out blurry. Sorry Mike.
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| Linda and Brian |
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| Barbara and John |
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| Steve and Sharon |
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| Susan and Fred |
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| Linda vs Susan, Phone Face Off #2 |
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| Linda and Brian |
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| L-R, Terry, John, Barbara, Fred, Susan, Carolyn, Linda, Brian, Sharon, Steve, and George |
We then headed on down the road and began gaining elevation quite rapidly. The Going to the Sun Road is an impressive accomplishment. It is a road built in to the side of mountains, with a sheer drop of hundreds of feet on one side for most of the road. Again, pictures cannot due this road justice. It has to be seen in person.
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| Mike, Carolyn, Fred and Susan stopped for construction. |
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| Terry stopped for road construction. |
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| Terry and a narrow pass |
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| Terry, Fred and Susan, with Mike and Carolyn in the rear |
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| Following Steve and Sharon on Going to the Sun Road. | | |
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Once at the summit, we stopped at the Logan Pass Visitor's Center for a break, then headed back on the road down the summit to the town of St. Marys.
After lunch, it was time to get to Canada. We arrived at the border crossing and waited in line to have our passports checked one motorcycle at a time.
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| Barbara and John waiting at the Border Crossing |
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| Fred, Susan, Steve, and Sharon waiting in line. |
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| Waiting, Waiting |
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| Waiting to enter Canada |
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| Terry |
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| Can I see your papers please? |
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| Canada Border Crossing Building |
Once in Alberta Canada, it was onward towards Calgary. We saw a speed limit sign that stated that maximum speed was 110, and I thought it was time to have some fun. We were then reminded that Canada was on the metric system and a 110 was kilometers per hour and that translates to roughly 65-70 mph. Oh well.
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| It's all metric system up here. |
There are many Indian areas in Canada along the border with the United States. This has resulted in some odd names that we saw. Below is a highway sign for my favorite name.
From the Alberta History Web Site
Head-Smashed-In
Buffalo Jump is an archaeological site known around the world as a
remarkable testimony of prehistoric life. The Jump bears witness to a
custom practiced by native people of the North American plains for nearly
6,000 years.
Due to their excellent understanding of topography and bison
behavior, native people killed bison by chasing them over a precipice.
They then carved up the carcasses in the camp set up below the cliffs.
We arrived in the Calgary area late in the afternoon, just as the City was put under a tornado warning. Turns out that all of the activity was taking place north of the city, far away from where we are staying.
Well that is it for today. We will be in Calgary for two days, leaving here on Wednesday.
Brian
