We headed to the Canadian border but were unsure as to what changes we might encounter there. We were either lucky or there were not many changes, and we sailed right through with only basic questions and some inquiries about where we were going fishing. The fishing questions seemed to be more on a personal level on the part of the customs agent, rather than professional.
Our first stop in Canada was in Cranbrook. Cranbrook was a fairly large community (Pop 2024 of 20,500). This stop was our first introduction to Canadian gas prices. As most people are aware, Canada uses mostly metric measurements. I can convert miles into kilometers and back again. I even understand the value of a Canadian price in U. S. dollars, but volume measurements are challenging. Cheryl’s nursing background made the conversions easier for her, but it was still a lot of math. So, gas there is sold by the liter, and in Canadian money. To determine the equivalent cost of gas in the U. S. and Canada, we first had to convert the liters in gallons (1 gallon = 3.7 liters). Next, we multiplied the cost of a gallon of gas by multiplying 3.7 (1.489 x 3.7 = 5.5093). Then we took the exchange rate of Canadian dollars into U. S. dollars and multiplied again. As I am getting my weekly currency in Canadian dollars to U. S. dollars, I first had to do a reciprocal calculation (1/1.394=0.7174). That was the Canadian price multiplied by the U. S. exchange rate (5.5093 x .7174 = 3.9524). It all made my retired head hurt! I made a point to purchase something that would rock my Canadian connections.
This was our first introduction to Canadian gas prices. First, Canada is mostly metric measurements. I can turn Miles into kilometers and back again. I can even get the value of a Canadian price in US Dollars, but volume measurement was challenge. Luckily with Cheryl’s nursing background, she had an easier time of it but it was still a lot of math. So, gas is sold by the liter and in Canadian money. To determine the equivalent cost of gas in the US and Canada, we first had to convert the liters in gallons (1 gallon = 3.7 liters). Next, we multiply the cost of a gallon of gas by multiplying 3.7 (1.489 x 3.7 = 5.5093. Then we take the exchange rate of Canadian into US Dollars and multiply. As I get my weekly currency in Canadian to US, I first had to do the reciprocal. (1/1.394=0.7174) So now its Canadian price is multiplied by US exchange rate (5.5093 x .7174 = 3.9524) And that was in Cranbrook. And it all made my retired head hurt!
Our next stop was Walmart for food. We didn’t want to bring any open food across the border, so we consumed it prior to crossing. We now needed snacks, and I needed Canadian candy.
Anyone who has been around me knows that I love my Canadian chocolate — particularly Mr. Big Bars and Smarties candies. I also enjoy some of the cookies that are unique to Canada. I proceeded to toss things in my cart without much thought as it had been a long time since I had been shopping there.
We then proceeded to the community that was built by the resort — Fairmont Hot Springs British Columbia. It was a time share property that felt luxurious after our stay in Seeley Lake! After our shopping expedition, we had plenty of food on hand, so we didn’t need to go out. The timeshare had a gas grill and a full kitchen. We delighted in creating home cooked meals.
This resort was named for the hot springs that were on the property. A public pool was free to timeshare guests. However, it was under maintenance prior to the prime season opening. We were allowed to use the hotel guests’ hot pool instead. This water had less minerals in it than Thermopolis, and was also not as hot.
A friend of Cheryl’s named Jen (who used to teach with Cheryl in Maine) had moved back to her native Calgary, Alberta and drove three hours to stay with us for the three days. We collectively enjoyed the pool on day one of our time there, and Jen and I went back for another round the day before we left.
In addition to the hot springs, Fairmont was not far from Invermere, Radium Hot Springs and Kootenay National Park. Invermere is a small community near Kootenay National Park that hosts a large number of tourists. It is a unique, quaint place for visitors who are there to ski, play golf, hike, or just sit in one of the hot spring pools.
Kootenay National Park is a beautiful site with many gorgeous views. My favorite spot was Sinclair Canyon. The hot springs pool was just on the other side of the canyon, so there was a great deal of traffic in the area. Thankfully, there were enough breaks to get some good pictures.
With our stay over, we had to say to good bye to Jen, repack the pickup truck and be on our way again. But this is definitely an area I would like to visit again.
