Tuesday 9-5 Entering Canada

We are in Canada

We arrived at the Canada border crossing this morning at 8:00, we were the only ones there. The border crossing gentleman was very nice, he looked at our passports, asked a few questions and then we were on our way. We entered Canada from Montana. We drove by a lot of farmland and we saw an eagle, pronghorns, deer and hawks.

Our first stop in Canada was at the visitor center but we arrived before 9:00 and it was closed. Larry walked to the entrance and there was some information in a box so he was able to pick up a map and a few brochures. While we were at the Visitor Center Larry called our credit union to let them know we were out of the country. Now we should have no problem with our debit cards while we're on the road.

The border-crossing from the U.S. to Canada

The Visitor Center

Smiley face barn

 The other day Larry reactivated his Cricket phone so that we would have phone and internet access in Canada but today when we arrived the phone wouldn't connect to the internet. it worked fine for making phone calls. He knew that our Mobley wouldn't work in Canada so that's the reason he activated the Cricket phone. We stopped in Fort Macleod at a Tim Hortons for a donut, Tim Horton Donuts are huge here in Canada, they are kind of an upscale Dunkin Donuts. While we were there he called Cricket support and tried to get the phone to work, the gentleman that was helping him couldn't get it to work, he claimed there were no cell phone towers in town even though we were talking to him via the cell phone. Larry told him he would try later.

We are headed to Banff National park and along the way we drove through Calgary, we were surprised by all the traffic. The drivers were very polite, one gentleman even stopped to let us over a lane where there was construction and our lane ran out. We didn't stop in Calgary because it was so busy but we did stop right outside of Calgary in a church parking lot to work on the phone. Larry ended up finding and changing a setting allowing the phone to access data when roaming and everything now works. Cell phone coverage in Canada is not very good, it appears there will be lots of places with no coverage.

The ski jumps in Calvary

When we got to Canmore we stopped at the Visitor Center. We talked to a young lady, who was very helpful and gave us some information on camping in the area and where an ATM was located. She also gave us a pass to get us in the Canadian National Parks. This year the pass is free to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the parks. After leaving the Visitor Center we drove around the town to find an ATM machine, the town was very busy and we couldn't find anywhere to park the Minnie so we gave up and continued to Banff National Park. 

We stopped at the entrance of Banff National Park and got some information. Then we drove to Banff to find an ATM. This little village was also very busy and Larry had a hard time finding a place to park the Minnie. He drove around a little while and finally found a place to park. Then we walked across the street to a grocery store and found an ATM machine to get some money. 

After getting money Larry was ready to call it a night. We decided to stay at Tunnel Mountain Campground in Banff National Park. There were a lot of openings in the campground. They assigned a spot at the entrance. Once we found the site we parked the Minnie. It is a beautiful campground with a lot of pine trees. The restrooms have running water and showers. There is a sink at the restrooms to clean your dishes, which is great and I used it. There have been fires in the Rocky Mountains since June and there is a lot of smoke in the air. We're not sure how long we're going to be here considering the smoke is very bad. 

Camping at Tunnel Mountain Campground

The restrooms at the campground

If you need to call home and your phone doesn't work use the payphone in the campground

After settling in I barbecued some Hatch Chili Pork Sausage patties for dinner. Then I walked around the campground. I only walked for a half hour because of the smoke. We had a very busy day and got a lot accomplished. LIFE IS GOOD!!!