Grasslands to Great Falls

This is a pretty good visual of our morning. Ice on the windows from the -12°c temperature taking the sunrise up a notch.

We arrived at Grasslands National Park just in time for dusk yesterday.  Traveling through Moose Jaw and then Assiniboia, it was a nice drive under beautiful Saskatchewan skies to the park.  Of course, our ETA was off by the stop in Moose Jaw (lunch and a visit to Sasktel to redo a screen protector for Christy) and the time it takes to travel some of our southern roads, so we were ready to arrive when we did.  And dusk did not do the campground justice.

However, morning did not disappoint:

Despite the cold temperatures overnight, we were warm and toasty thanks to the electricity being left on (not sure if this was especially for us or if it's on all the time) and our little portable heater. As I made my way to the outhouses, I was serenaded by coyotes and their morning howls. How often does that happen in a girl's life? Just walking in this space gave me a sense of great peace. Hardly a sound from the 'real' world could be heard and as I looked about, I could imagine the first peoples as they must have roamed this land.

After breakfast, we took the girls out. Mule deer gazed curiously at us as we made our way around the campground and ventured along the road for our walk. Though they eventually bounded away, they were definitely curious about our presence.  Maybe they were wondering who in the world would camp here in November??

Here are our two pups ready to roll. Kinka in front, Remy behind. If they had their way, they'd travel in the front seats the whole time!

Today we drove over the border and headed south to Great Falls, Montana. It took us an hour to wind our way out of the park and hit the border. Thankfully the crossing went well. The customs officer came on board to check out our pet food and our fruits and veggies but found no troubles and sent us merrily on our way.

Northern Montana is much like the other northern states: pretty dull and desolate.  I'm sure the cloudy skies didn't help, but I can't help but think it's the forgotten land.  Buildings look grey and drab and broken down, and those are the ones that still have some life in them. Most are shut down, shadows of what they once were.  But if you're looking for a casino, they are a dime a dozen.  One casino, boasting 'Now Open' couldn't have been much more than a mobile home.

Once we hit Great Falls, we picked up the atlas' I had ordered from Benchmark and the Mifi from Millenicom.  Since we are on free wifi from Dick's RV Park, I'm not certain the Mifi works,  but I'm glad to have it on board. It does provide some comfort knowing we will be able to connect most days.

There's the family. Minus Annie G (the cat). Must get us one of those to complete the Fisher Price family.

Tomorrow, it's Missoula, MT. We think. If the mountain passes aren't too snowy!