O, Canada, We Made It! - Monday, June 20, 2022

Three weeks ago, we left San Antonio on our way to meet up with fellow caravan members in British Columbia. Since then, we have spent time in Lubbock, Texas;  Boise City, Oklahoma; Sterling, Colorado; Custer, South Dakota; Rapid City, South Dakota, Billings, Montana, and Great Falls, Montana. Today, we crossed the border into Alberta, Canada. Yay!

Our border crossing was at Del Bonita, Alberta. It was a confusing border crossing because we had to drive through what looked like the wrong way at the American customs gate. We were creeping along at 10 mph, making sure we were going the right way. (There wasn't another way that we could see.) 

Anyway, we pulled up to Canadian customs and the first thing the agent said was, "You came in here kind of fast." 

We replied that we thought the speed limit was 10 mph because we saw that speed limit sign. He looked back the way we had come and said, "Oh, no wonder, it looks like our sign blew down in the wind." Apparently their speed limit was 8 kmh (5 mph). 

After that, we were cool. He asked only a few questions, such as did we have pets and did we have our vaccination records. He also asked to see our cat's rabies vaccination record and our vaccination paperwork. We had already filled out all our paperwork on ArriveCANADA, so it was a quick crossing.

Alberta is known as Wild Rose Country.

Alberta, Canada Fast Facts:

• Capital City: Edmonton
• Population: 4.37 million
• History: Entered the Canadian Confederation in 1905
• Total Area: 661,848 km sq / 255,541 sq mi
• Highest Point: Mount Columbia, 3,477 m / 12,293 ft
• Lowest Point: Slave River, 152 m / 499 ft above sea level
• Longest River: Peace River, 1,923 km / 1,195 mi
• Provincial Flower: Wild Rose
• Provincial Tree: Lodgepole Pine
• Provincial Bird: Great Horned Owl
• Provincial Fish: Bull Trout
• Provincial Motto: "Strong and Free"

The drive from Great Falls, Montana, to Lee Creek Campground in Cardston, Alberta, was only 179 miles. For those of you who want to know our route, we took I-15 north to Shelby, Montana, and then followed U.S. 2 to Cutbank. At Cutbank, we went north on MT 213 to the Canadian border. Let me tell you, from Cutbank, Montana, to Cardston, Alberta, there is NOTHING but rolling farmland; no gas stations, no restaurants, no rest areas or picnic areas, nothing. If you go this way, be sure you have gas, food, and water with you!

Our campground arrival time was early afternoon. The weather was lovely. Below are photos of our site at Lee Creek Campground. We loved it here!

Nice big sites with lots of grass and trees.

This is our site at Lee Creek Campground.

We were able to have campfires here!

They are building an addition to the campground.

We drove around town a little after we got set up. I also did laundry. The laundry room was just across the park road from our site. 

Today was easy peasy! Tomorrow, we will explore Waterton International Peace Park. In the morning, we plan to do the Watertown Township 10 km Volksmarch, and have high tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel after our walk!