Of Border Crossings, Fishing, and Magnificent Canadian Park
Departing Kootenai National Park
©Bert Gildart: It’s rough traveling through some of the most beautiful segments of North America and then having to return to the tedium of everyday life in Montana. So unsettling was the transition that I took the day and joined one of my good fishing friends, Bill Schneider, described previously as a *Fishing Fool.
That, however, didn’t help much as he caught all the fish, so now I’m left reviewing the highlights of the trip as a form of solace. Believing some of my readers might be interested in traveling to southern Alberta, I’ve provided a quick highlight of what we consider “must-see areas.”
This past month, our travels took us from Glacier National Park and then north into Canada. Major stops in Alberta included Waterton National Park, the Kananaskis Recreation Area, Banff, and finally Jasper. Departing Jasper, we passed through Kootenai National Park in British Columbia where we spent the night before crossing the border and returning to Montana through Eureka.
PAST BORDER CROSSING HAVE RAISED EYEBROWS
In years past, we have had some difficulty making border crossing. Once in 1991, Canadian customs apparently didn’t like my longish hair and beard. Our old van probably didn’t help either.
This time, however, we were towing an Airstream Travel Trailer pulling it with a Dodge ¾ ton truck.
We also are older now, have Passports and must therefore create a better international profile. Customs officials, however, asked one question I did not understand. Departing the U.S. at the Chief Mountain Customs the officer asked about firearms. We said we didn’t have any.
“No pistols,” he asked.
“No Sir,” realizing, of course, that those who are caught in Canada with pistols face jail time.
Swan Lake pike
He then asked (and this is what I thought strange) whether we normally carried firearms in the United States. I told him “No,” but a more honest answer would have been: “When in the United States we abide by the laws of our country and do likewise when in yours.”
PHOTO GEAR
The purpose of virtually all of our trips is to gather photographs and story information, and because we’re often asked about our photography equipment I provide the following breakdown. I carry one Nikon D-200 and one Nikon D-300. I carry four Nikon lenses to include the 12-24, the 35 to 70, the 80 to 400 with image stabilization. As well, I carry two SB-800 strobes which are part of Nikon’s Wireless Lighting System.
In addition I carry a 600mm Nikon ED lens in a large Lowepro pack. When I carry this pack, much from the other pack is loaded into this one. Essentially, pack number one is my travel and nature photography pack, while pack number two is the one I use for wildlife and nature photography in general.
In addition, Janie carries a Nikon D-70 and, generally, I stow a film camera in the large Lowepro pack in which I carry my 600mm telephoto lens.
So now we’re back and as I say there’s always a period of readjustment, as a result, my day off yesterday for fishing. My companions were Bill Schneider and his wife Marne, and interestingly, Bill and I fished these same waters last year–but I didn’t do much better (as posted), though photographic opportunities were exceptional.
Normally Janie would have joined, but the Airstream had to be unloaded, and someone, of course, has to work. Wish I’d had caught a fish to show for my day’s efforts.
