Wednesday - Prince of Wales Waterton

The Prestige Hotel in Nelson was really nice! Right on the marina. Off in the distance a highway bridge known as "the Big Orange Bridge".  (Note: two months later that wooden bridge would burn down) After breakfast in the room of cereal and banana, we headed off toward our goal for the day, Waterton Park (the Canada part of Glacier).

As we approached Creston, were were in a little valley with lots of orchards, mostly peaches. Stopped for gas, coffee and donuts at Tim Horton's. Then on the Cranbrook where we stopped for a few groceries.

In Spanwood, there's a huge coal mining operation. Can't see much except the top of the mountain is gone! Continuing east we went over Crowsnest Pass and the Continental Divide going into Alberta. 

On the east side of Crowsnest Pass, the terrain changes completely. We're now on the "Prairie", no trees, wheat fields, etc. Lots of wind turbines.  Elevation now at about 4500 (the last few days we were usually at only 1500),

The road turns south at Pincher Creek and you start to see the mountains. The weather has actually cleared! We spotted a bear in the field!  As one gets closer, the mountains loom and over the next rise you see the Prince of Wales Hotel, all by itself on top of a hill. Just as I remembered it!

We had been advised ahead of time that the hotel's 95 year old elevator was broken but we assured that some young fellows would help us get our stuff up any stairs. Thankfully, we got a room on the second floor, not the fourth! A fellow named Tony hauled all our stuff in far fewer trips than it would have taken me! The hotel has an interesting history. Built in 1926-7 by the Canadian Pacific, about the same time as Many Glacier Hotel.

Dinner in the Lounge consisted of Shephard's Pie and Potato and Cabbage Rosti. The view from the lounge, dining area, is spectacular. At about dusk, the clouds came in and it started to rain.

Here all day tomorrow, hopefull to take boat ride on the lake. We hope for good weather!

304 miles 40.6 mpg

Nelson marina

Nelson Big Orange Bridge