Well, got up early this morning, got ready, and headed out to the Columbia Icefield. After a long drive to get there I got out of the car, got my boots on and assorted hiking gear together. I hiked up the hill and it was roped off. Apparently, you have to pay for a guided hike to actually walk on the glacier so it was a bit of a letdown, especially after driving so far and burning all that high-dollar gas. I went back to the camper but did stop along the way to take some more pics and sightsee.

Columbia Icefield – Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada

The closer I got to the trailer I thought about it and decided to leave and get back into the States. That park is so big you have to drive a good distance to get anyplace, and at about $5.25/gallon it gets expensive on a budget pretty fast.

I drove through Kootenay National Park in British Columbia. It was beautiful as well, but a lot of Pine Beetle damage has been happening there and I even saw a forest fire burning. It was a nice drive this way, and I went through a few small towns scattered several miles apart.

Pine Beetle killed trees – Kootenay National Park – British Columbia, Canada

I drove about six hours and got to a KOA in Spokane, WA after getting across the border with no problems (it is still a pain in the ass just like flying). It is becoming very frustrating to stay in the KOAs, however. They charge regular rates (about $40/night), yet the pool is closed and the wifi doesn’t work for shit. I am seriously considering canceling my KOA Rewards Kard and staying in other campgrounds for less money. They have laundry facilities, and I need to take care of that as well as, I was hoping, take care of some business on the internet (which is not going well due to the “connection”). When I got to the KOA in Spokane there were two guys and their dog outside the office from Alaska moving here in an older Toyota pickup and they paid $1.99.litre in the Yukon; that is about $8 a gallon!!

Tired after not sleeping good the last few nights so off to bed… I am in Washington at last!