Glacier National Park (23 June)
Glacier National Park, sometimes called Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, crosses the border between Canada and the USA. It combines previously established parks in both countries. One aspect that fascinates us is that, depending on where rain falls in the park, it might eventually arrive in the Gulf of Mexico via the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, the Pacific through the Columbia River, or Hudson Bay having first flowed through the Saskatchewan and Nelson Rivers. These diverse catchments enable flora and fauna from the maritime Pacific, the Southern Rocky Mountains, the boreal forest to the north and the prairies to the east to overlap and develop a unique biosphere. The cessation of hunting has resulted in diverse predators achieving a balance between themselves and their prey.
Unfortunately, we got to see little of this. The chaotic system of booking excursions in the park along with our own tour operator failing to advise us on what to do to make bookings meant that one couple in our group was able to book an all day tour, the Crown of the Continent tour. None of the rest of us were able to get on any tours at all. Today is wet but we drove into the park to see what we could. We were only able to drive in about 16 miles to the point where motorhomes are made to stop. Of course we saw more lovely forest, a lake, and rushing waters but it was a disappointing day. Despite the park's name, no glaciers were visible.
On reviewing the itinerary we realised that the past week saw us drive back to Vancouver, wait about because of some people leaving and other people joining and then driving back to this longitude. A better arrangement would have been to have our small group split off and head back through Alberta and enter the park from the Canadian side and spend several days here. On the way we could have visited Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, so named because, prior to getting horses, indians drove buffalo over a precipice where they would fall and smash their heads. The name alone makes the visit enticing.
When we return for another motorhome trip in the USA and Canada we will do it independently and make a plan that suits us.
And, yes, we are seriously thinking of that. Despite a few niggles, we have really enjoyed this trip and we have at least two future trips festering in our heads.
Unfortunately, we got to see little of this. The chaotic system of booking excursions in the park along with our own tour operator failing to advise us on what to do to make bookings meant that one couple in our group was able to book an all day tour, the Crown of the Continent tour. None of the rest of us were able to get on any tours at all. Today is wet but we drove into the park to see what we could. We were only able to drive in about 16 miles to the point where motorhomes are made to stop. Of course we saw more lovely forest, a lake, and rushing waters but it was a disappointing day. Despite the park's name, no glaciers were visible.
On reviewing the itinerary we realised that the past week saw us drive back to Vancouver, wait about because of some people leaving and other people joining and then driving back to this longitude. A better arrangement would have been to have our small group split off and head back through Alberta and enter the park from the Canadian side and spend several days here. On the way we could have visited Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, so named because, prior to getting horses, indians drove buffalo over a precipice where they would fall and smash their heads. The name alone makes the visit enticing.
When we return for another motorhome trip in the USA and Canada we will do it independently and make a plan that suits us.
And, yes, we are seriously thinking of that. Despite a few niggles, we have really enjoyed this trip and we have at least two future trips festering in our heads.
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