Waterton: Wind and Mountains

Trip Start Oct 01, 2008
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Trip End Oct 27, 2008


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Where I stayed
Waterton Townsite Campground

Flag of Canada  , Alberta,
Monday, October 6, 2008

We spent a few last hours on Sunday morning with our grandchildren and then got underway to Waterton National Park. The day was quite lovely, though as we neared Pincher Creek, a terrific windstorm came up and we had to drive quite slowly as the wind moved the truck and camper too much at higher speeds. Even the sloughs had whitecaps! It is no surprise that the area has many wind generators. The wind did not die down, even as we approached the park. It is beautiful country, with the golden aspens and birches offsetting the silver gold of the grasslands, the blue of the sky and water and the purple hues of the mountains. Our first night was so windy, that we put down the jacks to stabilize the camper which otherwise rocked with each gust of wind.
 
On Monday, we drove to Red Rock Canyon and hiked up the canyon and back the other side and then up to Blakiston Falls. It was a beautiful day, but cool. Overnight, fresh snow had fallen on the jagged mountain peaks, accenting their rugged crags. After a picnic lunch, we drove to Cameron Lake, still higher in the mountains, where we walked a short way along the lakeshore. It was even colder there, with ice crystals still lying on the steps of the information centre. Back at our campsite, deer were lying in the grass near our camper. One even investigated the door to the camper, leaving a "deposit", perhaps to tell us what she thought of us invading our territory. The park is very quiet, with many of the campsites and businesses, including the Prince of Wales Hotel, already shut down. Most of the rest will shut down after the Thanksgiving weekend.
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