(Don't mind my curse word, Sam forgot to bleep! Whoopsie)
PASSWORD: Glacier
Days 20-22: June 24-26, 2015
We set off to hit the US Border that afternoon from Banff. After repacking the car and grabbing free fire wood from a camping site,we were officially ready to be back in the states, able to use Pandora, and able to call people without the fear of an outrageous phone bill.
We've been harassed multiple times about being from Florida but having California tags on Sami's car. Knowing we were going to be asked most likely the same questions as when entering Canada, we were ready this time. Our Customs Officer was pretty nice and it was smooth sailing back to our mother land.
Now bushels of firewood aren't the most inexpensive product. When we came across precut logs we decided to load up the back seat. At the time of crossing the border we weren't positive if it was illegal to bring back into the country. So we told ourselves we were Thelma and Louise on the run. Come to find out we actually weren't allowed to bring back due to an invasive beetle possibility. You live, you learn.... but we are now officially smugglers.
Needing a stopover prior to Jackson Hole we found Glacier National Park was along our route. We decided to stop and camp for two nights with this amazing scenery. No campsites in the park have any showers, so our baby wipes came in incredibly handy for this stay.
We decided to forgo the beans and rice for this stop and went fancy with stuffed sausages for dinner and breakfast, cooked on our very own fire started with our bare hands.... and a lighter. The next morning we went on a fabulous hike up to Avalanche Lake. On the way up to the lake we came across some type of breathtaking rushing river gorge. The video doesn't do justice. It flowed so perfectly and the river walls have become so smoothly eroded, we could just sit there and watch it flow for hours.
When we arrived at the end of our hike, the view was spectacular with crystal clear waters and a huge glacier mountain water-falling to fill the lake. We decided a dip in the lake may help with our smell, but boy was it freezing. After relaxing and taking in some rays, we went for a drive to try and find a bear. Alas, still nobear sightings, which could be a good or bad thing.
Our next stop from here is Jackson Hole, Wyoming! Stay tuned, next time is BOGO Vlog week, for being such patient fans ;)
Over and out,
-K
Things learned at border crossing and in Montana:
1.) Know what you can and can not bring through customs
2.) Apparently certain types of wood carry invasive beetles
3.) Pitching your tent on rocks in the lesser evil than pitching on a slope
4.) Don't leave your fire smoldering, you'll get yelled at from your campsite supervisor
5.) If you plan on traveling across the States and visiting copious amounts of National Parks, for goodness sakes, get the annual pass. You will save so much cash flow, why didn't we think about this!!