Next stop, West Glacier KOA! When we arrived, after a long enough drive, I made the mistake of requesting a site with full hook-ups (sewer + electric + water) on the first night when all we really needed was the latter two. I am still getting used to this trailer thing but the price (I thought it was for two nights at first) was quite a lot. Needless to say, the wallet wasn’t pleased so we switched to a cheaper site the following day. It was a bit farther from the dog park (fit for a puppy ¼ Harley’s size – no great loss) and was a little more private and, in my humble opinion, a much better spot.

A quick call out to Erika who really made our swap and stay pleasant experience. She was more than accommodating when I let her know which site we wanted to switch to, gave us some tips on visiting Glacier National Park/Going To The Sun Road and personally helped us out with printing some border forms we needed for Harley. Thumbs up! You win at customer service!

Given our new knowledge regarding no dogs on all US National Park trails we decided to take a day trip to Waterton Lakes National Park, Canada – The Land of the Free… wait a minute? Where dogs are welcome!

Just a little background info on the two parks… They are actually one! Waterton-Glacier was created in 1932 as the world’s first International Peace Park.

The drive north of the border and back again was a bit much for one day but totally worth it. We got some exceptional hikes in with exceptional views. A couple quick trails we were able to do in our short time were Red Rock Canyon, Blakiston Falls and Bears Hump. (I know it changes everything… but there is officially no apostrophe in that last one according to the Parks Canada website… so… yeah.) The three of us were able to wine and dine on a restaurant patio for the first time this trip. How romantic! It went surprisingly well. Good job Harley. He was so pleased he thought he might sneak a kiss on our post dinner hike up the Hump.

There was no shortage of wildlife on the drive. Still no sign of the elusive grizzly though! (Even though one was sighted in the park earlier that day.) I think I might be okay with this. Great weather, great hiking, great food, great views, just an all around great day. Yay!

Earthquake Lake – Hedgen Drive – Just outside of West Yellowstone

Red Rock Canyon – Waterton Lakes NP

Blakiston Falls – Waterton Lakes NP

Blakiston Falls – Waterton Lakes NP

Bighorn Sheep – Waterton Lakes NP

View from Bears Hump – Waterton Lakes NP

Another view from Bears Hump (with rocks) – Waterton Lakes NP

Lake McDonald – Glacier NP

Drive back to West Glacier

Ab baby black horse!!! Best day ever!

The following day we thought we might set off into Glacier National Park for a bike ride. Word on the street was that Going To The Sun Road is closed part way through but to vehicle traffic only. Great news for us! We found a loophole! Harley is allowed on the roads! We packed up the bikes and headed into the park. Harley was all hooked up to his Springer and ready to go!

Pedalling, pedalling, happily pedalling! Just past the road closure sign, we were stopped. NO DOGS ALLOWED! Whaaat!? Alas, there is no loophole. The road is currently considered a “trail”. GAME OVER. We stopped so Harley could get a drink, and I politely requested and received our $30 seven-day entrance fee back. We packed up the trailer, headed to Canada, again, and never looked back!

BONUS! Harley doesn’t quite understand the difference between a chair and table.

AS