Sunday, May 29, 2011

Our Alaska Adventure Officially Starts

We awoke to Sunshine! But it was only 44°! Oh, well!

We found a car wash and quickly sprayed off some of the accumulated mud and dirt and then headed to the Canadian border where we crossed without incident. They didn't even ask if we had any wine! So all 3 cases are still with us.

May 29, 2011 10:47 AM

Our first stop was in Lethbridge where we walked to the Fort Whoop-Up Historic Site, viewed the High Level Bridge and explored the Galt Museum. This bridge is the highest & longest of it's type in North America. Lethbridge was first established as a trading center with the local Indians, then coal was discovered and mining became the main industry, especially after the 1909 trestle train bridge was built, making it easier to move the coal.

Just outside of Fort Macleod we explored the "Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump" Interpretive Center, World Heritage Site. For 6000 years the Plains Indians would herd buffalo over cliffs to their deaths. This site is the oldest, best preserved buffalo jump site. The site's name came from a young brave who decided to stand under the cliff as the buffalo fell past him. Unfortunately, the herd was so large that they piled up around him and smashed his head into the cliff wall.

May 29, 2011 02:13 PM

We didn't get to the West Calgary Campground in Calgary until almost 7 PM so it was a mad scramble to get set up and cook supper. We intend to stay at least 3 days.

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