Good morning world! Today is July 30th Wednesday.

View as we enter Banff

We have been having a wonderful time seeing the beauty of the Canadian Rockies!  Going through Banff is a journey of nature, wonderful lakes, mountains and for us blue skies and warm weather.  Our first stop was Lake Louise, a dream of mine and on my bucket list.  It was all I have imagined.  Aside from the crowds of people tour bases bring in, we were in our own world.  The view from the shore and the Chateau is one of beauty and quiet reflection.  We walked around and strolled in the Hotel.  It is a Jewel.  We ate lounge in the Lake View Lounge.  Perfect view, perfect food and wine.  We then went for a canoe ride to the other end of the lake ( suggestion of Mike) a wonderful time.  We just had a relaxing ride and took some photos.  We also went to another lake near by, Lake Maraine which has an abundance of fossils.  Then, believe or not my daughters, I rode up Mt. Louise on the chair lift.  It is pretty high but I enjoyed it.  The view from the top was worth it and I tried to capture it best I could.  There was a haze from the fires over in Washington State they said.  Anyway the ride down was awesome.  I have done some things out of my comfort zone on this trip.  Heights have always scared me silly, but I have not let it stop me from experiencing some wonderful moments.  I am proud of me.
Glacier Walk was neat, a lot of commercialization here for sure.  But still an experience.  The Skywalk her is similar to the one in Grand Canyon I am told.  Yes I even went out on that, me.   I am enjoying this new found bravery.

Anyway, here are some photos of Lake Louise and the drive through Banff, along with the Glacier and the Skywalk.  Hope you enjoy.

Driving into Banff Nat'l Park

In Banff, Beauty.

Lake Louise view from shore.

  

From the end of the lake on the canoe.  The Chateau Lake Louise

The Alhabasca Glacier

We are here!

On the skywalk looking down below.

Nice day at Lake Louise

The Skywalk

On the Skywalk!

Mike and I at the Glacier

From the top of Mt. Louise Ski Area

Tunnel view, you can see the steepness.

We just got settled in the Best Western RV lot.  High wind advisory here till midnight.  40 to 55 mph winds.  Boy do we feel its power sitting in this RV right now.  This camper is rocking and rolling.  Anyway, I have added a few more pictures of Glacier National Park.  Hope you enjoy.

Beautiful Lake view at the top.

Snow covered mountain viewed at Logan's Pass

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Speaks for itself.

Water pours down over the rock wall, "Weeding Wall"

View almost at the top.  Pretty.

The rock ledge in Logans Pass

I have posted photos of the other days ride to Logans Pass which is where you cross of the Continental Divide.

Today was a serendipity kind of day with beautiful blue skies and 80 degrees.  We decided to drive left onto the highway outside of the campground.  Visited the town of Hungry Horse, Mt.  We drove to the Hungry Horse Dam walk over it to the other side.  Watch a lot of logging trucks go back and forth over it.  It is a  pretty neat Dam, very high with a really secluded lake.  Then we drove awhile and landed in the town of Whitefish.  Mike needed to buy a gun lock and he found one at the local hardware store.  Met some nice people there and at one of the stores along the way, the Montana Fur Trading Co.  where we bought a few items for the grandchildren.  Nothing very grand just a nice peaceful day.  We leave tomorrow for Shelby, MT and Friday we cross the border into Canada.  There is Wifi at the places we are staying so hopefully can keep you all updated.  Hope you like the photos I have posted of "Logan's Pass" on the "going to the sun road".    Have a great evening.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

The past few days have been traveling and seeing the sights along the way.  I will post a few photos of Beartooth, I thought this was the highest road I dared to travel but....Logan's Pass in Glacier National Park beats it hands down.  Anyway, after doing the Beartooth pass we visited Red Lodge, Mt.  They were having a Bike Rally there which was neat.  We had lunch while watching all the Bikers drive in. Beautiful bikes for sure.  Walked around, talked with people along the way, then it was time to head on back. I am not a heights kind of person.  Traveling up and down the Beartooth Highway was stressful and I had a nice Margarita before starting back!  We also went into Yellowstone NE entrance that evening.  This entrance is far nicer than Eastern, only because the forest is so full and green, unlike the dead trees in the eastern part.  This is from the 1988 fire we were told.  There is so much to see in Yellowstone, you really have to experience this park to appreciate all it offers.  It has geysers, caves, lots of hiking trails, climbing, animals and so much to keep anyone busy.  Nature at it's best I think.

Beartooth Canyon View

The top of "Beartooth". Nice view.

High but awesome view.

Looking at the road below.

Hello everyone.

I have decided that I will update the blog once, maybe twice a week.  It is not easy out in this part of the country.  The mountains are all around and it is the same in Glacier National Park which is our next destination.  Yellowstone has been an interesting Park.  The Eastern entrance was nice in the beginning, we saw a cow moose as soon as we entered which was a treat.  Then as we drove in the scenery was dead, burnt trees.

I had written so much more than this.  The WiFi connection here stopped just before I was publishing.  It was just going to save not save it froze.  All I worked on for an hour and all is gone, except for the top piece here.  I am beyond upset at the moment.   I am going to try to post some photos anyway.

The beginning. 

This Moose was as we entered the Park.

The is the Eastern entrance.  It is
so sad.  Forest destroyed by fire.  This is
on both sides for miles.  Sad really.  But,
nature has already begun healing process.

This is the North East Entrance.
The forest is dense and beautiful.

This is leaving the
North East Entrance.

   

We saw a lot of Buffalo. Even herds.

Ahh, Michael
This was an awesome experience.  Worth
the wait.  We met a couple from
Maine while waiting.

Old Faithful, photos
can't capture it.

With all that happened tonight with this connection, I will post Beartooth as soon as I can within the next couple of days.  My WiFi connection is terrible and stops in the middle of writing or posting photos.  The owner says it happens when campers use "Hot Spots".  It disrupts WiFi.  What ever I hope the next Campground is better.  Beartooth was an awesome ride and even though I was scared coming down, worth it.  Red Lodge was having a Bike Rally and I will post photos.  We are on the road today for Glacier National Park.

Wednesday July 16, 2014
Today was a get the camper brakes fixed kind of day.  Coming off those mountains was brake torture.
All fixed and we decided to relax and check out this town.  Nice shops and deli's and Restaurants.  Now we are just chilling out.  I have tried to download photos but this server is not letting me.  Sorry.  I will try to post them on Facebook. Talked with our children and grandchildren last night.  That was so great!!  Nice to hear the voices and just catch up.  Also heard about all the rough weather back home.  Everyone stay safe.

Tomorrow - July 17, 2014 we will check out the "Bear Tooth Highway" We are told it is very crazy high and awesome views.  There is snow and flowers together in areas.  Hopefully I can put photos here if not will put on Facebook via phone.  Have a great rest of your day.

Tuesday July 15, 2014

It has been a busy couple of days.  Yesterday Scott and family flew back home.  Miss them, we had an awesome time!!  Mike and I packed up and moved onto Sheridan, Wy.  On the way we decided to visit "Devil's Tower" National Monument, in fact it is THE FIRST one.  It was worth the stop.  As you drive to it, you see a glimpse, then a larger one, until it is right in front of you.  AWESOME does not do it justice.  Amazed at how it came to be and just the surroundings.  This is a must see.  We then drove on  and stayed at "Wal Mat" in Sheridan, Wy.  Met some other campers and received good information on which route to take to Cody, Wy.  The route was scenic, beautiful with breath taking views.  A little scary at times for me but it was so worth it.  We are now in Cody, Wy and the thunder storms have followed us here.  Actually these mid day storms are not unusual they tell us.  The couple we met in Sheridan (did not write down their names) were full of information and friendly conversation.  In fact, the people we have met and talked with on this journey so far are like that.  Cell phone coverage STINKS!  After this storm we intend on calling our families.   I have posted photos of Devils Tower and our trip today.  Enjoy!   Will do photos tomorrow.  Storms here making it tough.  Bye.

Sturgis Memorial Bricks

What  a day we had yesterday, again.  We decided to visit "Sturgis" So. Dakota.  Very small town but home to the "Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally".  We walked around seeing the BIG photos of the town with the bikers and workers.  The Memorial Brick walkway is very special with engraved photo bricks or just the name of bikers who have died.  The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum was really nice too.  To see the Indian bikes, older Harley's was great.  I loved the Posters of different Rallies and Movie Stars on their bikes.  Glad we toured it.  We ate at the "Easy Rider" Saloon which had great food and more posters.   Worth the drive.

Then we went to Bear Country USA.  It was a nice ride around and we enjoyed seeing all the animals.  We saw Elk, Mountain Goats, Buffalo, Moose, Linx, Wolf and many Bears just walking around etc.  Nice time.

Today we decided to go to Hot Springs to visit the "Mammoth Site".  Wow, this was great to see and really view the dig and bones of these huge animals.  Interesting to see how it these Mammoth remains were discovered. These developer was moving dirt to build a Housing Development.  Then one day a bulldozer unearthed some bones and this huge project began.  On the way back to Keystone we drove into very bad weather.  The sky was dark and looked ominous.  The rain came down fast and the lighting was bright.  We had to pull to the side because Scott could not see to drive.  Terrible, scary and I did not like it one bit.  Lasted about 10 minutes and we are told happens a lot out here.

Anyway, hope you like the photos.

Thought I would post some photos of the Crazy Horse Monument.

It all began in 1947 when Korczak Ziolkowski a New England Sculptor was invited by Chief Henry Standing Bear.  Korczak had been helping on Mt. Rushmore.  It is the world's largest mountain carving.  He had ten children and 7 of them are devoted to carrying on the work their father started.
We were all amazed by this awesome work in progress.  The story of Henry and his family is so inspiring.  Here are some of the photos.

First view of this massive sculpture.

The white is the model inline with the rock sculpture.

This first view with the flags, wow.

Awesome.

OK, yes it is us!!

Celeste, Katie and Scott

Model of what it was going to be but because of issues with rock they only did the heads

What a day this has been.  Scott, Celeste and Katie are here and so nice to have them share in this journey.  We started the day with breakfast and then the ride to Mt. Rushmore.  I cannot explain the feelings of the first view of the Presidents.  We all had a moment of sincere appreciation for the beauty of this sculpture.  I remembered reading about Mt. Rushmore in school and always wanting to see it. Well, I did today and it is wonderful, absolutely beautiful.  We were all in awe of this monument.  Stayed awhile and just took it all in.  Wonderful walk through the State flags and just seeing it at every angle.  Great National Park!  I have downloaded only a few photos of us and the Presidents.  I hope you enjoy.  Just a great experience.

Chicago

Farms are nice in Wisconsin.

Still getting use to adding photos.  I realize it will not be possible to update this blog daily.  When we have WiFi I will.  Today we are in Fairmont, MN.  at "Flying Goose" campground.  It is very nice and beautifully kept.  We have gone 1200 miles already, through Maine, NH, Mass., New York, Penn., Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and now Minnesota.  Chicago was a thrill to drive through-NOT. Lets just say it was awful, I am being nice here.  It was shitty!  But, that is behind us.  Ill., Indiana, Wisc., and Minn. are beautiful states with wonderful views of farms, fields, landscapes.  All the farms look nice and farmers must make a good living here for sure.  There are many wind mill farms out here.

We are relaxing today before our 480 mile drive to Mt. Rushmore.  The scenery will change from fields to mountains.  That is all for today.  I do miss my children and the families.  Retirement is great so far.

Saturday, July 5, 2014  8am.

We are off to our new adventure.  Raining and cool but, we are beyond excited to begin this LONG drive and WONDERFUL trip.  Packed tight with as much as we could bring along.  Thank you to Tammy, Amy, Melissa and Adam for all the wonderful "stuff" you gave us for this trip.  Unless there is something very interesting along the way, pictures will be held for when I get to our first stop at
Wal Mart in Herkimer, NY  approximately 374 miles 5.5 hours, not including any stops.   OMG it is finally happening!!!!!