Yesterday, we arrived at the Sweetgrass border crossing about 10:30 a.m. We were through the crossing by 10:35. We were asked a few questions: where were we from, where were we going, did we have alcohol, cigarettes, pets, more than $10,000 in cash (we wish!)?
After driving on I-15 through a beautiful gorge formed by the Missiour River, we were back to wheat country with low, rolling hills. That terrain continued to Lethbridge. We met our friends, Lynne and Fred Benjamin at the tourist information center, which has a free RV dump. After a cup of coffee, they showed us where the essentials are: Wal-Mart (many RVers camp there overnight), campground by Henderson Lake, bank/ATM, Safeway and Real Canadian
Superstore for food, plus marked where a health food store and book store were on our map. We'll be seeing them again tonight for dinner.
We had eaten all our fruit and most of our vegetables in anticipation of the border crossing. We were not even asked about that. Lynne said provinces differ on what is allowed; British Columbia is more restrictive. A trip to the grocery store was in order - after a visit to the ATM for money. It takes a bit of getting used to the loonies and twoonies/toonies, nicknames for the $1 and $2 coins. Then get change at the campground
for doing the laundry in the morning.
Last evening we walked around Henderson Lake. The campground is across the street from the lake. It is very pleasant to walk around the lake. Crews were practicing for dragon races to be held July 4. One woman told George that they get only 6 practices. From the looks of most crews, this was #1. I'm curious as to whether they add a head and tail to the boats for the actual race. Looking at their Web site, it looks like, at least for the local crews, they do not.
This afternoon we again walked around th
e lake and visited the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens. This is a meditation garden, thus no flowers, and is a symbol of Japanese-Canadian friendship. Canada too had internment camps for Japanese during WWII. Some were in the Lethbridge area during the war. Perhaps this garden promotes peace and healing. It certainly is peaceful and restful to the eye. Tea ceremonies are held on Sundays. If you have time, it is certainly worth a visit.
We're off for dinner with our friends. Check out Lynne's book, Jacob's Tails. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak Photos by George Bruzenak