The Saddest Little Mall in America

Traveling thru northern Montana is a little like driving thru the desert – lots of wide-open spaces, endless sky, deserted, dry, and not densely populated. After breakfasting at a picnic table at the local elementary school in Conrad, MT and endless pit stops at towns too small to warrant a place on the map, we arrived in Havre. Our goal was to get to a museum on the famous dinosaur trail that runs thru the sate of Montana. Imagine our dismay when we drive up to a shopping mall – the address matching that of the museum (see photo left). We parked the car and entered what can only be described as the saddest mall in America, which was home to a dollar store, an army-recruiting center, a natural/Wicca shop, a Sears, an army surplus-type store, and the beloved museum, which was closed. The museum was a small room located in the far back corner of the mall. Basically, someone decided to rent out the space to store his or her oddball artifacts. Not a great find.

Finding Beauty on the Road

I snapped these photos south of Lethbridge, Alberta.

Yikes!

This sign posted somewhere in Montana frightened both of us - in fact, we did NOT enter the store.

Pot of Gold

We drove right into this beautiful rainbow while leaving Lake Louise after a flash rainstorm. Cars were lined up along the shoulder to capture this amazing burst of colour. It looks like that pot of gold is hiding in the hills on Rt. 1 between Lake Louise and Banff.

Smells Like Snow

Today we drove thru the Columbia Icefields between Jasper and Banff. It was cold - very cold- so be sure to bring a toque and jacket. What amazed me most about this natural wonder is the rate at which the icefields are receding.

Cross-Country & Wedding Bells

After 27 days of travel, we've arrived at our destination - Smithers, British Columbia, where my good friend D is getting married on Saturday. We've basically done a diagonal drive from the east coast to the northwest corner of Canada. Not only am I excited to be a part of her special day, but it is also an opportunity to visit with friends I have not seen in what feels like forever. With all of us living and traveling the globe, a mini-reunion is long overdue.

Reduced Visibility

With 400 forest fires burning in interior British Columbia, we are lucky that today is the first day that we encounter smoke on our drive northwest to Smithers. Most of the fires are burning in the backcountry, away from the main highway, but as the photo above shows, our visibility on the road today was greatly reduced by billows of smoke lingering in the valleys.

Nice Truck

Stopping for a quick break on our way north to Smithers I spotted this funky chevy parked in a DQ parking lot.

The Best Place on Earth

I couldn't agree more with the new B.C. license plate (see photo above). We are now in Vancouver, a city that offers its residents spectacular mountain views; stretches of beaches; access to year-round outdoor activities; an assortment of cuisines and restaurants; fashionable finds on the well-known Robson Street, and an eclectic group of neighbourhoods. If ever we are to settle down, Vancouver would be the place to do so. With great weather, minus the months of rain of course, this city has it all. Go discover Beautiful British Columbia. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Pike Place Market

Sunday morning we walked down to Seattle's infamous Pike Place Market. Around since 1907, and famous for having the first Starbucks, Pike Place Market is a great place to grab a morning coffee while browsing stands with everything from organic produce to beaded jewelry. By noon the place is packed, so get there early to experience the market in its finest hours.