Waterton-Glacier Tour
Day 4 Pincher Creek to Waterton Lakes National Park

I got up at 8 a.m. This is very late for me.  After going through my usual morning routine, I stopped by the campground office.  Again, no one was home.  I left a note with my name and address to mail my change.  A few weeks later, I got an envelope in the mail from the campground with $10 US.

Prairie

On my way out of  Pincher Creek,  I ran into another touring cyclist.  He was on his way to breakfast and didn't want to chat much.  He was headed North to Banff and Jasper National Parks.

Again, I was amazed at the beauty of the prairie.  Growing up in New England, I had this idea in my head that the prairie is a drab stark colorless place like Kansas in the Wizard of Oz.  Instead I found it immensely beautiful with miles of gold and green grasses shimmering in the distance.  I have heard from several people that cycling across the prairie is psychologically difficult because major landmarks are few and far between. Sometime in my life I intend to ride across this content.  So, I'll find out for myself someday.

The only thing I didn't like about the prairie is the wind which was in my face most of the morning.  I was paying dearly for yesterday's magnificent tail winds.  Also, as I was riding back to the mountains, I was gradually climbing.  I stopped at a little Mexican restaurant in the  town of Twin Butte for lunch.

Twin Butte is definitely one of those "blink and you'll  miss it" kind of towns.  On my way out of the restaurant a  woman delivering mail told me "You're lucky.  There's hardly any wind today".  She said most days, it blows much harder.

After Twin Butte, the riding got easier.   After climbing a big hill and coming around a big bend in the road, I got a magnificent view of the entrance to Waterton Lakes National  Park.  Just before entering the Park, I saw some old wagons by the side of the road.  I couldn't resist stopping for photos.  This was a classic Western scene if I  ever saw one.

An old wagon near the entrance to Waterton Lakes National Park.

Lower Waterton Lake

I paid my fee and entered the park.  I rode along the Lower Waterton Lake with a perfect mirror reflection of the mountain behind it.  I continued on to the Visitors' Center for some camping information.

I also visited the Prince of Whales Hotel across the street. This is a magnificent building on a hill overlooking Upper Waterton Lake.  The hotel has a restaurant located in front of a huge picture window.  I walked around behind the building and got the poor man's view at right.

Upper Waterton Lake.

I continued to the Waterton Townsite.  This is a fairly sizable town located in the middle of the park.  I picked up my groceries for the evening.  As I was stuffing my purchases into my panniers, I saw wild sheep wandering around the town.

Sheep in town.

I got a campsite at a campground in Waterton Townsite.  I pitched my  tent and laid out some out some clothes that didn't quite dry the night before.

I rode back into town to pick up some gasoline for my stove and bottle of wine.  Since there was no secure place to store food,  I put it in my panniers and took it with me.  On the way back I stopped at a pay phone to call home.

Upper Waterton Lake

I got to talking to Dennis and Linda, a retired couple from Lethbridge, Alberta.  There were camped in the next site.  Dennis was especially interested my touring bike.  I explained how it comes apart and packs into a suitcase.  They let me store my food and toiletries in their van.

After supper, I went for a walk and took pictures including this one above.

I rode a total of 40 miles this day.

Continue to Day 5

Introduction
Day 1 Kalispell, Montana to Dickey Lake, Montana
Day 2 Dickey Lake, Montana to Fernie, British Columbia
Day 3 Fernie, British Columbia to Pincher Creek, Alberta
Day 4 Pincher Creek, Alberta to Waterton Lakes National Park
Day 5 Waterton Lakes National Park to Glacier National Park
Day 6 Going to the Sun Highway Glacier National Park
Day 7 Glacier National Park to Kalispell, Montana