14th May 2025

We had a lovely lie-in, and a good breakfast at the Elk + Avenue in Banff. Breakfast was the usual North American affair of eggs benedict (or ‘benny’) etc etc. No toast and marmalade! Most of the staff appeared to be from the (British) Commonwealth. We heard how people starting in life would get work visas for a couple of years, working in these resorts

Our Trailfinders chosen driver picked us up from the hotel at 11.00, very promptly.   Drove us to the RV pickup. About a 90 minutes drive. He would point out stuff on route, especially the cattle.  As we neared Calgary, the land became flatter.

RV pickup was rather slow and inefficient. Keys didn’t work in some locks on the outside cupboards, and much was glossed/hurried over.

We set off, stopped at a Walmart, where we spent far too long buying far too little.  Spent a long time looking for the beers etc. Ha! We needed a Liquor Store. Adventure at the Shell filling station where the payment machine misbehaved. It cost more 153 CAD. (Oh they preauthorised 250 CAD. You can set different limits.)

Arrived at Rocky Mountain House Campsite at 7.ish. Reception was closed, they had closed at 5, not 8, as we’d read.  We did walk into the unlocked reception, so the owner came down.  She had actually emailed us information, and there was a pass key outside the reception for us. The owner offered us coins for the washing machine and tumble drier, 1 dollar coins, called loonies and 2 dollar coins called toonies. R thought a wash & dry for 7 CAD a bargain.

Loaded the washing machine, then drove to our pitch. Actually made up the bed in the table, banquette area of the van. But never again, far too much hassle and not that good.

Pitched. R went off to the laundry, came back 30 minutes later (having walked around & around) not being able to find.it. I went off to the laundry. Loaded the tumble dryer and waited for its completion. Hour later back at van in the dark, not happy.