|
Back to the land of Canadian TireMar 12, 2008
|
|
Between Helena and Great Falls
More Montana scenery
A herd of antelope at the roadside
We left Cardwell just after 8am, to continue north on the second half of the Butte bypass, highway 69 to Boulder. Since there was little wind, this part of the bypass went well and got us to Boulder in half an hour. Then it was onto the I-15 and headed north. Since we left early, Graham needed breakfast and we stopped in Helena at the MacDonald's. MacDonald's parking lot would be possible but difficult to turn around in, so we parked at the Albertson's next door.
As soon as we left Helena, the winds started. They were mostly from the west, and since we were headed basically north, they were cross-winds. It seemed that the further north we went, the windier it got. Forecast winds were 20-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph, which is pretty heavy for a "high profile vehicle" like the motor home. We stopped at Conrad (between Great Falls and Shelby) to get gas and a quick bite of lunch, and then on to the border.
Border crossing was easy once we got to the front of the line. The Canadian border only had one lane open for cars/RVs and one for trucks. The lineup was about 6-7 vehicles, but each one seemed to take awhile to process. When we got to the window, the border guard just asked a few basic questions (how long away, any alterations to the motor home or car, how much liquor/tobacco were being brought back) and we were on our way. We were only able to average about 45-50 mph between the wind and the hills. We're out of the mountains, but anyone who thinks that the prairie is flat needs to ride a bicycle out here. The wind is now from the northwest and the awnings were coming out every 10 miles or so. Need to have the spring on the awning tightened.
We arrived at Lethbridge just after 4pm, and checked in to the Bridgeview RV Park. They advertise and charge for full hookups, but all the water is turned off and most of the washrooms are closed. It seems like a bit of a rip off, but it's our last night and we're too tired to argue. However, we're not happy with these guys or with Holiday Trails, their affiliated company. The other annoyance is the car battery is dead...again. It's probably Graham's fault this time. He didn't properly charge it last night, only enough to get it started. Oh well, only one more night and we'll be home.
