Day 97 MONTANA MADNESS GREAT FALLS

On to Montana. Pleep finds this sign very helpful and wants to make certain he does not get down off Buba's shoulders during our walks.

C.M. Russell Museum

This museum holds thousands of paintings, sculptures, drawings, and illustrations that Charlie Russell (1864-1926) created from childhood throughout the end of his life. The 5 galleries are arranged to show how Charlie evolved as an artist, as well as to celebrate the culture of the American West. His subjects were based on western history and his own experience, including cowboys, Plains Indians and wildlife. Buba is in heaven-all that cowboy stuff!

This guy is a beloved icon of the American West and also one of Pleep's favorite artists. Of course Pleeps favorite was the Bison Exhibition which showcases hundreds of Plains Indians artifacts and western artworks...and Buffalo's of course! We met the new Exec Director, it was his first day on the job. Poor fellow had to meet old'Boca. Of course she proceeded to not only grill him about everything but unloaded all of her ideas and suggestions.

Pleep also loved visiting Charlie's Studio (a log cabin next door) as well as Charlie's House-yep right next door too. This cowboy artist had a prolific artistic life. Buba & Pleep really like the front door. They think they have found the perfect door for the new ranch Buba wants to get in Texas when the trip is over.

Constantly on the lookout for buffalo items. Pleep spots the perfect hat for Pam. He thinks we should get one for running around the Boca streets too. No one would mess with us in this rig.

The big surprise is that this little ol'museum in Great Falls is really a world class surprise. Good work!

Now it's on to the Montana State Fair. Bocahontas is very excited to hit the state fair. Maybe there will be good shopping opportunities.
Pleep agrees shopping would be good. All he needs is a pair of cowboy boots and a saddle.

At last, the real American experience at a state fair. Oh yes more corndogs. Plus sausages, hot dogs, fried Snickers, the eating choices abound.

No state fair is complete without a John Deere exhibit. Buba is eying a couple of new models that he thinks would be perfect on the new Rancho Bubba in Texas.

The side show is one of Pleep's favorite parts of the state fair. He begged and begged to be allowed in. We had to keep him on a tight rein and turned down several offers from the management. They thought adding Pleep to the mix would be a plus.

Pleep fell in love with this lady. He talked Buba into going in with him. At the end of the day, Bocahontas had to drag both of them out of the fair.

But not until after the big show - the racing pigs. Pleep tried to ride one of the pigs but no success. He couldn't hang on to save his life.

Day 96 Back in the USA....Glacier National Park

Waterton-Glacier National Park-Alberta Canada and Montana

The ride through Calgary was enjoyable as this has to be one of the tidiest cities we have ever seen. We took the long way (aka a little lost) so we were able to really appreciate all of the city and their neat ways. And it always feels good coming back across the USA Border though.

Pleep really wanted to jump a ride on the back of one of the bikers so we had to make him stay in the car at this pit stop. Then he made a run for the big red limo. Ultimately, he decided the view from the Collins mobile dash was the best. He just thinks we need to consider washing the outside & then detailing the interior.

I must say it was very cool to see 2 countries join together and manage this magnificent wilderness-a fabulous example of interconnection of two parks. This International Peace Park World Heritage site established in 1932- Waterton Lakes on 129,700 acres and Glacier on 1,013,572 acres. Glacier was established as a National Park in 1910- the nations tenth. Multi-hued summits whittled by ancient glaciers into walls and horns-some 650 Lakes! The highway that cuts through the middle of the park is one of those breath taking rides. Buba said this is his favorite park...but he has said that again and again. Water is definitely the lifeblood flowing and connecting the two parks. At Logan Pass, atop the Continental Divide, the peaks crowd around as if close enough to touch. The Jackson Glacier is a show stopper.

Pleeps personal favorite were the mountain goats. Baaaaaaaaa. The ride on top of the summit was tight to say the least....they carved the road out of the rock and did it when people weren't driving big bad SUV's and such....we are talking tight. No missing paint. Good job Buba and Pleep. Pleep continues on as the pathfinder. He heard the Blackfeet controlled this land during the 18th and 19th centuries and is most interested in learning about membership.

Pleep notices a bit of a wine drop on the white clothes. He recommends opening a bottle of white wine to help celan up the red wine spot. Oh, and as long as it is open maybe a brief stop to have a glass or two. A bit of cheese? Bread? We think he may have been hanging out with the French folks at the Chateau more than he let on.

We now know we must be back in the lower 48. Haven't seen any of these in the Great White North. Pleep says he likes the yellow car. It reminds him of bananas.

Now finally after weeks of salmon, a bit of comfort food. Who is it that invented corn dogs. We tell Pleep it is kind of like a fried banana.

Day 95 BANFF NATIONAL PARK/CANADA

This is the birthplace of Canada's national park system, created around the warm mineral springs near Banff townsite. The Icefields Parkway drive from Jasper was smooth and awesome. This spectacular drive along the backbone of the continent passes through remote, high-altitude terrain. Crowfoot Glacier, Bow Summit, Peyto Lake Viewpoint, Mistaya Canyon and Saskatchewan Veiwpoint and the Columbia Icefield were all magnificent to experience. The bicycle riders on the parkway were amazing...up and down and around and around. Impressive peddlers. We loved seeing Lake Louise in the summer as our last visit was to ski during Christmas holiday a few years back. This view is known the world over and you can see why. Yes it was crowded and still spectacular.

Pleep loves the icefield road that runs through the park. Hey how come the glacier is still there with all this Glorebal warming? Spotting wild
life so far he's the only wild life we see...

The valet says "Aren't you the Collins from Boca? I remember your son Nick skiing here a few years back. " They must have dismissed the Collins Not
Allowed edict ey? Pleep promises he is no trouble.

Of course he wants to check in at the Pres Club....hoping they didn't talk
to the Jasper Lodge President's Club....or the spa staff for that matter. The incident with the waxing lady is still causing him to shriek once in a while.

Pleep loves the kilts and the pipes even though his tail kept getting in the
way. He was small enough to get underneath the pipers as they marched through. He wouldn't confirm what was going on under the kilts but he said these guys must have been real Scotsmen.

Please please I want to canoe...on Lake Louise. I promise not to jump out of the canoe. It just looks so lovely and I want to see if they have any relatives of the Loch Ness Monster here.

Nothing like a sun tan to dry out that fur....I didn't mean to tip over the canoe. Do you think I could get someone to bring us a nice cold beer to sip whilst we are laying about?

Pleep decides he has to try a new hotel...He wants to try his hand at French. Pleep's French is not too good and when they make fun of his accent he responds with a bit of a monkey butt. The Chateau does not want him hanging around...another Collins Do Not Allow Edict is issued. Well back to the Fairmont. This banister is way better than the Chateaus...



Mounties at last!!!! Do you think he will notice if I hop on the back???

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I should have been born in the 60's....they won't be able to find me in here.

Oh no....Pleep spots a wine display and is off and running. Bocahontas loves wine and this is definitely more fun than a barrel of monkey's! Can I help you with a tasting glass?

Radisson here we come....that monkey keeps getting us kicked out by the not so understanding Canadians....he is sleeping in the car tonight!

Day 94 B...PLEEPING AROUND AT THE JASPER PARK LODGE

Bocahontas is so very glad to have returned to a bit of the luxury she's been missing. Pleep thought the that the Collins' qualified for the President's Club and royal treatment upon check in. But word was out about Pleeps antics so it was no soap. He wanted to drive the golf cart himself but again had the issue with the peddles.

This is a fabulous location and a real treat for Bocahontas. Nestled in between captivating mountains and enchanting lakes, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge welcomes you to the Grand Rocky Mountain Lodge Experience. Situated in the magnificent Canadian Rockies in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge resort is an experience - the charming cabins and rustic elegance sure to invoke memories that will last a lifetime. Although it's a bit tired, it's getting ready for some serious face lift work in a few months. I can relate. The best part was a plethora of wildlife awaiting you just outside your cabin door. Pleep loved playing with the elks right outside his bedroom door. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge promises all hotel guests an experience they won't soon forget...on the wild side of the Rockies.

Bocahontas could care less about the outdoor adventure. At this point, I'm looking for the full indoor experience. I hear they have a wonderful spa here & we're going to use all the services. Pleep thought he'd come along and spa it up a bit too. He heard they offer banana facials. He wasn't that keen on the salt scrub but for Boca-girl, it was like heaven. I think they scrubbed off several layers of dirt & grime before they could actually get to the skin.

On to the facial. What are they doing with that magnifying machine? There is no way they were getting anywhere near his monkey face. And as for the waxing - with this much hair? Pleep says hair is good on his face, not so good on Pam's. You pay for this? You think this is fun? Pleep thinks the money would be better spent on drinks, bananas, and peanuts at the main bar in the lodge.

By the end, Pleep did find a pit of peace, tranquility, happiness, and wisdom at the spa.


However, he thinks this is his last trip. He said he can find all of that and more hanging out at the bar with the boys.

Day 94 JASPER NATIONAL PARK CANADA

Jasper is Canada's largest national park-established in 1907. It is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain Parks and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jasper spans 4200 square miles of broad valleys, rugged mountains, glaciers, forests, alpine meadows and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rockies in western Alberta. There are more than 660 miles of hiking trails (both overnight and day trips), and a number of spectacular mountain drives.

Jasper joins Banff National Park to the south via the Icefields Parkway. This parkway offers unparalleled beauty as you travel alongside a chain of massive icefields straddling the Continental Divide. The Columbia Icefield borders the parkway in the southern end of the park.

Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer and other large animals, as well as their predators make Jasper National Park one of the great protected ecosystems remaining in the Rocky Mountains. This vast wilderness is one of the few remaining places in southern Canada that is home to a full range of carnivores, including grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines.

There was so little traffic, Pleep decided to take the wheel.
He had a little trouble reaching the peddles so we put it on cruise control. This gave Buba plenty of time to try and spot wildlife. I don't think it counts if the wildlife is right outside the window. In the end, Pleep decided it was more fun to ride shotgun and look for the wild life. So he turned things back over to Buba. He finally spots a black bear.


The next morning there he is at it again- watching the elk from our hotel room.

The town of Jasper is friendly and picturesque. Lots of bear and moose toilet paper holders for sale in the shops. I had to remind Buba again and again-they're a no go in Boca. About 2 million folks visit yearly to see the blue blue mountain lakes, towering mountains and pristine quality of the forested valleys. Athabasca Falls, Sunwapta Falls, Mount Edith Carvell, Maligne Canyon, Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake were favorites. Buba tried to talk me into some Heli-Hiking. And my reply of course was Heli-No! I was looking forward to spending much of my time at the Spa-the poor dears will have to to scrub off 5 weeks of Alaska and Haul Road dust. No Mud Scrub for Bocahontas.....