Tuesday, August 25, 2009 – Day 44

We had a lot to squeeze into our last day on our Cross Canada Adventure. It all started with a stop at the Nk'Mip Native Cultural Centre. An amazing centre in the middle of the desert lands of Osoyoos. Our visit started with an interpretive hike along a desert trail in the blazing sun. Right from the beginning we knew it would be interesting as the kids were warned to stay off of the rocks that lined the path. It was a possible location for the many rattlers and other snakes that can become part of the tour. Although a hot day it was not unbearable and we learned a great deal of the First Nation's history of the region. We learned about the topography, geography and plants of the region before...

Monday, August 24, 2009 – Day 43

I woke up at 6 am to two short toots of an idling logging truck only a few feet away from where we had been sleeping. It was then that the signs around us started to make sense. The signs had indicated that logging was only permitted from 6 to 9am in the morning. That meant that we were at the beginning of the day's logging on this old road. No wonder the pullout was larger than any other I had seen. It was large enough for the big trucks to make a right hand turn from the dirt road which was parallel to the main highway. With us in the way however, the driver was only able to make a left hand turn.

I quickly got out of bed and was in the drivers seat pulling out to relocate our RV...

Sunday, August 23, 2009 – Day 42

As we headed Northwest from Waterton National Park we drove through the small town of Pincher Creek. Along the horizon this town is dotted with dozens and dozens of strategically placed modern windmills. It is obvious that these windmills are taking over agriculture as the regions' bread and butter. I have been told that the windmills are having a direct impact on the farming and ranching as a rancher can earn $5000 per month by having a windmill on their property without having to do any work at all. Farming and ranching however require a great deal of work and don't include a guaranteed income.

The windmills however are mesmorizing and certainly did attract my attention. I had to...

Saturday, August 22, 2009 – Day 41

After travelling towards home through the USA for a few weeks it was time to get a closer look at Southern Alberta and British Columbia. One person commenting online on our Cross Canada Adventure route suggested that we visit Waterton National Park in Southwestern Alberta. It was a wonderful idea.

We headed directly for Red Rock Canyon which is in the North Eastern part of the park. Not knowing what to expect on this hot sunny afternoon we drove along the narrow road with some relatives from the area. The kids enjoyed being with other kids their own ages for a change and enjoyed the drive as much as anything else.

After parking our vehicle in the parking lot we took...

Tuesday, July 14, 2009 – Day 40

Bay of Fundy Tidal Bores – the River's Reversing Tides
As we had parked at the exact spot where the Truro tidal bores occur (across the street from a motel) we only had to wake up around 5:10 in the morning and walk out of our RV. Tidal Bores are when rivers which empty into the Bay of Fundy (where tides can reach 45 feet from low to high tide) change direction.

Rivers which empty into the Bay of Fundy will change direction at one moment in time when the tides change. We were told that this tide reversal for the particular day we were here would be around 5:27 am but that we should be prepared as...