Colorado to Canada: Camping and Cafes (plus more)

Three weeks into our eight week trip from Colorado to Alaska we have had mostly rainy days which make the nights humid and cold. We've been dealing with frozen socks, going to bed too late, and waking up too late because of the longer days??? We did an epic eight mile paddle on Lake McDonald straight from Fish Creek campground and a waterfall-filled hike to Avalanche Lake. We enjoyed good eats just about everywhere (why else roadtrip) but brews in Columbia Falls and Fernie definitely stood out. And, oh my, the hot, hot, hot springs at Radium!

Kenedy’s hair has shrunk (and turned into dreadlocks) and Tucker needs a haircut. Connectivity is a constant and interesting challenge. So many interesting places!!

Waterfowl Lakes Campground:

Great for floating and paddling but we did not find hot water and the closest bathroom did not have sinks for washing hands.  Tucker could not find sticks which is pretty critical. Also, an old shelter in the campground has turned into a roost for bats. 

Campsite at Waterfowl Lakes

Our thoughts on working while camping and traveling:

• T-Mobile doesn't work much in U.S. National Parks but is far better than Verizon in the Canadian Rockies.
• The Goal Zero lithium ion battery keeps Kris’s laptop crunching away all day long. The 25 amp circuit on the trailer AGM battery does not support laptop charging or coffee grinding. We tried (and blew multiple fuses)!

Goal Zero (charging the computer) and Zamp (charging the trailer battery)

Campsites, towns and tips so far:

• Pinedale, WY: beautiful library inside and out with blazing wifi and plugs.
• Teton Colter Bay: laundromat has wifi but it was sometimes slow due to heavy use. Head to Moran Junction for some coverage and Jackson Library for blazing wifi and plugs!

Escaping the downpour at Jackson Hole Roasters

• Yellowstone: good luck! The park newspaper provides locations with potential coverage but we found cell service still hit and miss. Head to the border towns for connectivity. Mountain Mama’s in West Yellowstone has yummy baked goods…huckleberry pie!
• Philipsburg, MT: we thoroughly enjoyed our cabin, late night pizza and breakfast at the Boulder Creek Lodge in Hall, Montana. The kids had a blast panning for gems at Montana Gems.
• Glacier Fish Creek campground: Head to Columbia Falls for all things and Whitefish for anything else. Paddle Lake McDonald straight from the campground (after having your boat inspected and permitted).
• Glacier St. Mary’s: It is SO windy, cold here in June but there are plentiful bathrooms with many beautiful, private and flat campsites that are walkable to the lake and the Visitor's Center.

Kris's office at St Mary's 

• Waterton Townsite: not quite open in June but Waterton Lakes National Park is stunning. Check out the historic Prince of Wales Hotel, rent a canoe and paddle Cameron Lake, hike the Carthew-Alderson trail.
• Fernie, We stopped for the BEST yummy margaritas and food (especially the street corn) at Nevados. Good vibes, great coffee and snacks at Freshies Cafe. AND, the one thing that sets some towns apart from others…Polar Peek Books. Fernie is the whole package in our opinion--we'd move here if Canada would let us. Stop here if you can.
• Kootenay Redstreak: Invermere is right down the street with Kicking Horse Cafe/Coffee (which we buy at home). We’ve now visited Miette Hot Springs (to escape mosquitoes), Banff Upper Hot Springs (very crowded, expensive and small) and Radium Hot Springs (practically perfect in every way). Radium has a huge hot pool AND a cool pool with a diving board. Stay at Redstreak campground and stop at Radium Hot Springs for a dip.
• Banff Waterfowl Lakes: this is true remote, primitive camping. Go here if you want to get away. Actually, go here no matter what. It's glorious. If the weather is nice, paddle, paddle, paddle!!

Vermilion Crossing, Kootenay, BC