It was time. Two and a half years had passed since we traveled to our home away from home in the Canadian Rockies. With Covid running rampant and borders closed, everyone lived in isolation. Traveling was a risk, not an entitlement. So Dave and I (along with millions of others) buckled down and made the most of it. However, when the border opened last fall, there was no question about where we would spend our next summer.
The Bow River from the bridge, Canmore, AB.
Anticipation ensued. As expected, I overpacked, whereas Dave was much more sensible. Nervous energy encompassed all of us. Our pups Dota and Luci spent the morning in the front seat of the Jeep while Dave loaded up the overhead. Friday morning couldn't come soon enough.
And then it did. At 4:30 am, we departed for Idaho Falls, the first leg of our journey to Canmore, AB.
Just outside Flagstaff, AZ.
Nervous Luci.
Unfortunately, Luci did not settle for eight of the first 12 hours on the road.
This was not Dota’s first Calgary Stampede.
Dota was a pro. She slept almost the whole trip.
Marble Canyon, Navajo Nation.
The first day of the drive was far from tedious. Landmarks that we once took for granted became idyllic and memorable.
Kanab, Utah.
We arrived in Idaho Falls around 6:30 that evening and settled in with some Plantation Rum (deftly packed) and Dave's favorite road food—Burger King. Sweet dreams, right? Wrong. Two dogs and two humans on one queen bed—sounds like a bad country song. After a fitful six hours or so, we decided to get up and get going.
Wolf Creek, MT.
Although the second day is always the hardest, driving through Montana lessens the pain.
Missouri River, Cascade, Mt.
Sweet Grass MT., Sunday, May 1
We arrived at Sweet Grass and spent about an hour getting through the border. Picture choosing the wrong line at the supermarket. Our original ETA of 3 pm morphed into 5 pm.
McHugh Bluff, Calgary.
After a wrong turn in Calgary, which resulted in an unwanted loop around the city, we made it to our destination. Towering snow-capped mountains surrounded us, making the last two days worth the effort.
A balcony view of Three Sisters.
Welcome home.