The Cody alarm woke us up around seven this morning. Scott made some fabulous French toast. Then we headed out to Calgary to clean our clothes and eat lunch. We cleaned our clothes at the campground we stayed at last time we were in Calgary. I was hoping to make it home to clean clothes, but as Brooke proudly proclaimed to everyone who would listen yesterday, “Mommy and Daddy are out of pants!”
The prices were pretty reasonable and the equipment definitely decent in Calgary. Sometimes the washers leave the clothes completely soaked and the dryers haven’t had their lint changed since the last decade resulting in a very expensive and long drying time. To wash a full load in Calgary was only two dollars as compared to Fairbanks (the worst prices and not very clean) where a smaller washer cost $5 and the larger cost $7. Today we spent $4 to wash everything whereas in Fairbanks they charged $12 to wash the same amount. Although my favorite Laundromat, besides the kids’ first in Minot, North Dakota, had to have been the one in Anchorage where the owner took an instant liking to Cody and rocked him to sleep while Scott attempted to find a place to change the oil and Brooke and I folded clothes. The owner was a grandmother who had moved to the US twenty-five years ago from Korea.
After laundry today we headed down the Cowboy Trail. To be more exact we traveled route 22 to 3 to 6. Tonight we will be resting on US soil in Montana. Only six more days to travel.
We just went through our most thorough border crossing yet. At Chief Mountain Border Crossing they not only opened the door, but they talked to Brooke. It may have been coincidental, but after Scott asked if they ever caught the Arizona convicts they also checked the back of the van.
They asked Brooke if she was in fact Brooke and then asked her if Scott and I were her parents. Scott and I could have busted out laughing at that point
Brooke’s favorite current response when we don’t let her have what she wants is, “Dad, you’re not my father,” or “You’re not my family!”
Luckily, after a brief point of looking at me she responded with a nod.
We left Canada and returned to US soil for good. Canada is not that different from the US, but for some reason it felt good to be back on our home soil.
This has been the week for new National Parks. Today we went through Waterton Canadian National Park and Glacier US National Park.
Chief Mountain
Today is also the first time Brooke and Cody have been to Montana. This is Chief Mountain.
We arrived at Glacier National Park around 4 pm. We were excited to discover that all across the US the National Parks were on a no fee weekend. Yippee!!! Another exciting note, we passed the 10,000 mile mark as we entered the park. Wow! Only 2,000 more until we are home!
After a brief visit at the Visitors Center we high tailed it over to the only campground that still had room, St. Mary’s. Brooke and I set the tent up completely by ourselves for the first time. She frequently helps Scott set up the tent whereas I’m usually feeding, changing, or walking Cody. Thus, she was quite the expert and very helpful. She said she can’t wait to show Meme how to set up the tent when she gets back.
We met a very friendly family of five from Minnesota with kids around Brooke’s age and older. The mom stays at home and the dad teaches Political Science at St. Olaf College. They travel for long lengths of time each summer. We enjoyed chatting until the light started to fade.
Brooke was finally able to get in a bike ride around the campground and Scott cooked up some Rice Crispy Treats. It was a very picturesque night even though it was chilly enough that I woke up shivering. Thank goodness the sun made a surprise appearance the next day and warmed everything up to a perfect seventy degree range.
