A Rest Day_Day 4

Rest Day At Waterton Lakes National Park_Day 4

(Sorry for the delay in the blog posting…the remaining 3 installments will follow on in each of the coming 3 days; thank you for your patience.)

As we rode into Waterton Lakes NP we rode past the Prince of Wales Hotel, a Victorian era style architecture chalet, located at the North end of Lower Waterton Lake. It one of hotels built by the railroads as destination locations for the wealthy of the day. We made our camp at the South end of town in the park’s campground. Waterton townsite is unique situation where in the past property was sold to private citizens and then the wisdom of that choice was seen as an error. So the buildings of these properties when sold can be transferred to a new owner but the ground reverts to the Canadian Government. The fact that private residences remain in the park is a source of debate until this day.

Arising in the morning we breakfasted together. I started my day by taking a short swim in Lower Waterton Lake. The lake’s temperature was about 49 degrees and I waded out just far enough to dive in; after which I quickly exited having added another body of water to my list of “Swam there, done that” dips around the world. (Last year I got the Mediterranean Sea, Dead Sea, Red Sea and the Jordan River in addition to all the world’s oceans.) No morning shower was required…I was WIDE awake.
Polar Bear Swim, Lower Waterton Lake, Al, Canada

The day looked to be gorgeous and individual plans varied whether to go hiking, take a boat tour of the lake or to just relax, read, do laundry or wander around town. To that end we were given money for meals by our ride staff. I sought out the launder mat, a good cup of coffee and an internet café and spent my morning sipping java, journaling this trip and folding clothes.

Waterton Lakes Park is much smaller than America’s Glacier National Park yet it also has a very dramatic landscape. The tallest peak in both parks, Mt. Cleveland (10,461), is located in Glacier NP just south of the international border, but is most easily accessed through Waterton NP.

Come to Waterton-Glacier park; it is worth the journey here if you ever get the chance. Here are a few pictures from the park and I will introduce all of my Big Ride colleagues to you.




Stay tuned for the last three installments… Jim

Tony Sleva, Philidelphia, PA (Right, below) Lance Loethen, Philidelphia, PA (Left)

Mike Kelly, Seattle, WA

Al Knopik, Seattle, WA















Susan Kloster, Portland, OR

Lloyd Warms, Seatlle, WA (M.O.T)

Mike & Gail Williamson, Seattle, WA

April Boles, Anchorage, AK (L)

Ryan Reed, Florida

Jim Williamson, North Carolina and Sharon Cowdery, Seattle, Wa,
Nick "The Wrench", Vail, CO








The deer have become tame and habituated to human feeeding.


Waterton Townsite

Waterton Lakes moon rise

The view from my tent: Morning Rainbow.


The our tour boat the : 'International' at the dock.
The View Looking South






The U.S.-Canada border: trees cut to the ground along the entire length of the forrested part of the border. Below, the board as seen from a far.

The approach to Customs at Lower Waterton Lake.