Day 16 

We traveled back to Calgary and to the Ford service department, now we continue to wait.

Day 15

After breakfast we took the truck to the shop to find out what was wrong. About 11:00 the shop called and told me that the Catalytic converter was bad and needed replaced. We did this at 40,000 miles and now 24,000 later the same thing. He called a Ford dealer in Calgary and made arrangements for us to bring the truck in. The converters were still under warranty. This meant backtracking 100 miles and loosing another two to three days. That makes about 5 days lost due to the truck. Fortunately we had several weeks planned for emergencies but did not expect it so soon.  

Day 14

We went for walks and hung around the campground and did not want to take the truck out. Later Jim and I went for a drive to Lake Moraine and Lodge and as expected it was frozen, so no reflection photos.

Day 13

After breakfast Karen and I went for a walk along the river then the four of us drove to Lake Louise. The lake was still frozen and snow covered with some open water near the shore. Another beautiful day as we walked along the boardwalk with the mountains and lake in front of us and the luxurious Chateau Lake Louise hotel behind us. We took a walk through the lobby and down the hall of retail shops, only for the very rich. We went into the village and had lunch then back to the campground where I took another walk along the river and took a few photos.

Lake Louise

Norma, Jim & Karen

Our friend Jim

Day 12

It was a nice morning to drive to Banff only had 100 miles to get to the campground near Lake Louise. We stopped in Banff to get our park passes and could not find a space to park our rigs so we parked in a hotel parking lot for buses

only. Karen and Norma stayed by the rigs as Jim and I went to get the passes and headed for Lake Louise campground. Unfortunately our truck started acting up again and we made it to the campground, it was a beautiful drive with a lot of snow peaked mountains, after we got set up I called an auto mechanic service and they agree to look at it right away. Since it is Friday they can’t work on the truck until Monday so we will be staying at least one extra day here in these beautiful mountains with a nice river about 50 yards away.

Day 11

This morning was cold and rainy so we decided to stay an extra day as the weather is expected to improve and avoid trying to hook up the trailers in the rain. We did more planning on our visit to Banff and Jasper Provincial Parks. The Wi-Fi here cost $9.95 a day so we decided to go ahead and split the cost so we can get caught up with Web stuff. In the afternoon the rain stopped and the sun came out which mad it comfortable to sit outside and enjoy the view.

The view from our trailer

Day 10

We woke to a windy, rainy morning and waiting to hear about the truck. Jim and I took his Smart Car and went to get groceries and check on the truck. The truck was ready; it needed spark plugs replaced which turned out to be a complete tune up and software upgrade which should show an improvement in gas mileage. Because of the truck and rain we did not do any sightseeing in Calgary but discussed the journey to Banff and Lake Louise.

Day 9

We left Medicine Hat today to meet with our friends, Jim and Norma in Calgary. It was a perfect day with moderate temps, sunshine and nice clouds. As we approached Calgary the snow covered mountains came into view, WOW what a site after traveling through the prairie for several days. The perfect day started to deteriorate as the truck started to run rough at stop lights, but seemed to run OK when moving. We checked in at the campground and the truck almost did not start then blew smoke out the exhaust and the engine light came on. We got to our site, set up then went back to the office and called a Ford dealership that squeezed me into a busy schedule. They made arrangement and paid for a taxi cab to return me to the campground after I dropped off the truck. Jim and Norma arrived and we had dinner with them and talked about the journey ahead of us. We won’t know about the truck until Wednesday afternoon.

Approaching Calgary

Jim and Norma arrive

Day 8

After breakfast we went for a walk on a very nice walking path from the campground, did some small maintenance items, converted some cash to Canadian, picked up some groceries and went out to dinner and mostly rested on yet another beautiful day. 

Day 7

The day started out very well, mild temps and a clear sky. After traveling about 100 miles the paved road ran out for about 6 miles of dirt wetted down to control dust. Of course MUD was now on the front of the trailer! We stopped at a Wal-Mart to pick up a few things before crossing the border and took the time to clean off the mud! We reached the border about noon and after answering a couple of questions the officer said have a nice day and drive safe. We arrived in Medicine Hat, AB and after setting up camp we went to get gas and visit the “SAAMIS Tepee”, the world’s tallest tepee which stands over 20 stories high. This interpretive exhibit was very well done, and glad we stopped.

We had lunch at a nice pull off and maybe saw two cars.

Day 6

Traveled the last few miles in ND and headed for Malta, Montana and another beautiful day of travel. We left the interstate and headed north thinking we could stop in a town for a break; well most of the small towns are away from the highway we were on and finally found a spot to pullover alongside the road. Near lunch we did find a town and a large area to stop.

This picture is typical of our whole day’s travel through Montana “Big Sky Country” how true.

Day 5

Today was a day to get caught up on things that we wanted to get done before we left home and relax. It has been difficult to sleep in as our internal clocks are trying to get us up at Ohio time. That means we are up most every day at 5:30 AM mountain time. After coffee and breakfast I cleaned the bugs and road grime off the front of the trailer and gave it a coat of wax took several breaks and sat and talked with Karen. We took a walk into Medora ND and found most of the businesses were closed so we asked one store person and she said that in June the music festivals start and the town comes alive. Medora is a small town with no traffic lights and one gas station. We walked back to camp and had lunch then walked back to town to mail a letter and get ice cream. Temperature reached 98 with no humidity and not a cloud in the sky, a very nice day. Late afternoon we sat and talked as Karen did some puzzles and I sat in front of the truck cleaning and polishing the chrome. Cooked pork chops on the grill and relaxed the rest of the day.

Each morning we are welcomed by our stained glass window