After Lupe’s success at reaching a viewpoint over Sky Pilot Lake in the Beartooth Mountains of southern Montana and subsequent somewhat exciting retreat during a thunderstorm on 7-17-13, SPHP thought it was about time for Lupe to move on to the next part of Lupe’s 2013 Dingo Vacation. It was time for Lupe to see a new country – beautiful Canada! So the plan on 7-18-13 was to get everything organized, packed up, and head out for Canada.
It didn’t happen. Mick from the motorhome parked near Lupe’s “tiny house” (tent) came over in the morning. He was very friendly and chatty. He had lots of interesting and amusing tales from his wild partying days years ago in the music industry in England. As the day wore on, Mick offered free beer. The first beer pretty much put an end to any ambitions SPHP had for the day. After the 15.5 hour adventure to Sky Pilot Lake the previous day, both Lupe and SPHP were perfectly content to spend the entire day lounging around at the beautiful campsite on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River hanging out with Mick.
While Mick clearly missed the good old days back in England, he was pretty high on America, too. He told about how his wife had put $17,000 into some tech stock after the stock market crash in late 2008 or early 2009. Mick had been a bit nervous about it, but that stock was now worth over $400,000. After that, he no longer questions his wife’s investment decisions. She is free to invest as she pleases. Mick was quite a character and regaled SPHP with one tale after another like this. After a few beers, it all became somewhat fuzzy, but very amusing nonetheless.
The next morning found Lupe and SPHP still camped at the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River. Both Lupe and SPHP felt way more energetic after the very relaxing prior day spent with Mick. After a couple of hours spent cleaning, writing and packing up; it was time to bid a fond farewell to Pilot and Index Peaks and the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River. Mick was up and bid Lupe and SPHP bon voyage. Lupe and SPHP then hopped in the G6 and headed out over spectacular Beartooth Pass.
The rest of 7-19-13 was spent on a very pleasant drive heading N across central Montana. Lupe had loads of chances to bark enthusiastically at cows, horses and haystacks along the way. After various stops along the way, evening came. Lupe and SPHP spent the night in the G6 at a rest stop along I-15 N of Dutton, Montana.
At 8:00 AM on 7-20-13, Lupe entered Canada for the first time. SPHP had all the proper documentation along for Lupe to enter Canada, but the border agent didn’t even ask for any of it. At Lethbridge, Lupe and SPHP went for a walk in a park along the Oldman River. Then it was back into the G6 and on to the fabulous Canadian Rockies!
Lupe reached Banff a little after mid-afternoon. Banff is a very busy tourist town on the Bow River in the Canadian Rockies. Normally SPHP doesn’t like busy places, but Banff is an exception – Banff is great! The scenery is gorgeous and there are lots of things to see and do in Banff, although many are not for American Dingoes. SPHP was thrilled to be back in Banff again. Lupe was here for the very first time. It was time for a walk!
Lupe and SPHP found the cemetery near the Bow River where Bill Peyto is buried. Naturally, Lupe couldn’t go in, so she continued on to cross a nice, new (since SPHP was last there) footbridge across the Bow River. There were lots of people around and plenty of other doggies to sniff with. Lupe followed a trail downstream along the Bow River until coming to a place where she had to turn back, because dingoes weren’t allowed any further.
Lupe and SPHP took various walks along the Bow River and in downtown Banff. Lupe was rather bewildered and overwhelmed at first by the throngs of tourists, but soon learned to enjoy crossing the street as part of the crowd whenever the light changed. She also discovered there were plenty of opportunities for brief encounters with all kinds of other dogs. On the grounds of the Whyte Museum of the Rockies, Lupe saw one of Bill Peyto’s original rustic cabins.
In the evening, SPHP ate at a café with some outdoor tables. Lupe very much enjoyed sharing SPHP’s buffalo burger and milkshake. Lupe and SPHP then went for another walk up and down both sides of Banff Avenue (main street). This was Lupe’s first ever Pretty Puppy Parade, which has become a tradition every evening Lupe is in Banff ever since. By now Lupe was getting used to the crowds and even seemed to be enjoying herself. She stared curiously and hopefully into open shop doors, sniffed with other doggies, and allowed friendly tourists to pet her.
The next day, Lupe and SPHP woke up as the sky was just starting to get light. Lupe found $10 Canadian on the sidewalk near the Bow River. Lupe and SPHP drove down to Bow River Falls. While Lupe was there, a raft full of people was launching a short distance down the river from the falls. Someone dressed in Scottish garb was playing bagpipes from a hill they floated past shortly after launch.
Lupe and SPHP went up to the famous Banff Springs Hotel for a look around. The Banff Springs Hotel was first opened in 1888, and is one of Canada’s grand railway hotels. It is built in Scottish Baronial style and is often referred to as a castle. Although Dingoes can stay at the Banff Springs Hotel, Lupe didn’t get to stay there. SPHP’s spouse, unlike Mick’s spouse, has never invested $17,000 and turned it into $400,000, although SPHP would have been eternally grateful.
SPHP started thinking that maybe Lupe could ride the Sulphur Mountain gondola. Sulphur Mountain has a wonderful commanding view of Banff and the Bow River Valley. The gondola ride to the top is a very popular attraction. SPHP drove over there, but it was a madhouse. The giant parking lot was full and busloads of more people were arriving all the time. When SPHP found out it was $35.00 per ticket to ride the gondola, SPHP didn’t even bother to ask if Lupe could go. SPHP seemed to be the only cheapskate in Canada, though. People were lined up in droves to pay it.
Instead, SPHP took Lupe to see the flower gardens at the Parks Administration Building located just S of the Bow River from downtown at the end of Banff Avenue. Lupe had a dull time of it, since signs there said dingoes weren’t allowed on the grounds. SPHP snapped a few photos and then it was already time for lunch. After lunch, Lupe and SPHP took another stroll downtown.
Although it was great to be in Banff, SPHP was ready to be done with crowds. There were many more things for people to do in Banff, but not that many for American Dingoes and Carolina Dogs. SPHP was satisfied that Lupe had had a chance to experience Banff. It had been 4 days now since the big adventure to Sky Pilot Lake in the Beartooths. It was time to get out of town and go explore some mountain trails! Lupe was ready for some action! So, early on the afternoon of 7-21-13, Lupe and SPHP left beautiful Banff heading W in the G6 on Trans-Canada Hwy No. 1 looking for adventure.
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