Day 10 - 11, June 11-12, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada

June 11.  I rode up Akamina Parkway, a road closed to vehicle traffic due to the Kenow Fire in2017.  Most of the route was burned, but at the end, Cameron Lake and the support buildings built in 2016 were saved.   As I was taking a video of the lake and empty parking lot, a bear snuck up behind me.  As I finished the video and put my phone in my pocket, I turned around to start my way back down the hill.  A bear was in the road, about 40 yards away.   He was definitely checking me out.  He was not there before I was taking photos and videos.  I allowed him plenty of room, and plenty of time to mosey down the road before he took off into the bushes.  I certainly was not going to try to pass him on the road.  A while later, I came across other cyclists heading up to the lake.  I stopped to warn them about the bear, while at the same time they warned me about another bear that they had just passed about one kilometer down the road.  Yes, I saw that bear too, although he was in the brush, but I came upon him suddenly.  Two other cyclists were stopped to watch this bear, and then two hikers came by.  What a lucky break!  I mentioned to the other cyclists that it was a good thing the hikers were there, as that meant that we would not be the bears food - the hikers were slower than us!

June 12.  I played a round of golf at the Waterton Lakes Golf Course.  No one in front of me, and no one behind me.   Finished in about two hours, and on the 18th hole, on my 3rd stroke, looked back towards the tee box, and a black bear was ambling his way across the tees.  Later, Dianne and were driving to a trailhead, and passed another black bear (although cinnamon colored) just before the trailhead.  I can say it doesn't get better than this, but it certainly will, especially in Alaska! Great way to finish our stay in Waterton Lakes NP.

 During our stay, Clancy was intrigued by the ground squirrels.  No, intrigued is not the right word.  He was obsessed!  He stood guard over the holes in the ground at our campsite, and waited for the squirrels to pop up.  Just like Whack-a-Mole!  Thankfully, we had our eye on him, and he was on his leash!  Note the photos of the squirrels taunting him.


Prince Wales, built in the early 20th century.  Swiss chalet style, to match the surrounding mountains of Waterton Lakes and Glacier National Parks.


Gecko crossing, in Alberta?
Ground Squirrels.  Very similar to ground hogs, but much smaller.




Cameron Falls, right next to the campground, coming all the way from Lac Cameron, where I rode to the following day.

Monument to the first oil well in Western Canada.  Didn't last long, as it is too rough to get here, and the oil had to be packed out on mules.   Not profitable!

At Cameron Lake, the view across to Mt. Custer, in Montana, from Alberta.

Mt. Custer across Lac Cameron.

There was no one else here, as the road is closed to vehicle traffic.  When I turned around from taking this photo, a bear was on the road blocking my path.  Had to wait for him to wander off!!

Took a while to get my camera out, but here is the bear, wandering down the road where I need to travel.  No problem waiting for him, as I had all the time in the world!

Coming back down the road from Akamina Pass, through the burned area.


Bad attempt at a selfie on the golf course.  No one else was around.

Second attempt at a selfie on the golf course.

View from the golf course.

The first of a herd of four bighorn sheep meandering up the road.

The rest of the herd.

Route of my bike ride up Akamina Parkway, to Cameron Lake.

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