The Gettin' There

We love to travel, driving is our preferred choice of travel because there are so many things to see along the way that you couldn't possibly plan but can end up being a true gem! We are pretty simple and easy to please. A herd of elk will completely make our day, the way cloud and sun formations move and create as we drive down the road can be pretty awe inspiring! We try to take it all in! This blog kinda hi lights some of those special easy to miss moments that made the Waterton Park trip so fun and interesting!

 The Kootenai River Casino and Spa - View from the Restaraunt!

 Franks Slide

The Frank Slide is a natural landslide feature in the southern Rocky Mountains of Canada, and a significant historical event in western Canada.

Frank, Alberta is a coal mining town in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. On April 29, 1903, at 4:10 a.m., 90 million tonnes (30 million cubic metres) of limestone crashed from the east face of Turtle Mountain and covered approximately three square kilometres of the valley floor. The slab of rock that broke free was approximately 650 m high, 900 m wide and 150 m thick.^[1] The slide dammed the Crowsnest River and formed a small lake, covered 2 km of the Canadian Pacific Railway, destroyed most of the coal mine's surface infrastructure, and buried seven houses on the outskirts of the sleeping town of Frank, as well as several rural buildings. Frank was home to approximately 600 people in 1903; it is estimated that 90 of the roughly 100 individuals in the path of the slide were killed.

The town was evacuated, but people were soon allowed to return and both the mine and the railway were back in operation within a month. The town of Frank continued to grow, until a report on the mountain’s stability resulted in the provincial government ordering the closure of the south part of the town in 1911. Studies and monitoring continue today. - June 2011 Wikipedia

 Turtle Mountain before slide

 Turtle mountain After slide

This was amazing to see the amount of rock that slide down and the amount of space it covered is mind blowing. The interpretive center cost about $10/person but has some great information and helpful people!

 These herds of elk were EVERYWHERE on the trip! was wonderful to see so much wildlife

 The worlds largest truck

 The Terex 33-19 "Titan" was a prototype off-highway, ultra class, rigid frame, three-axle, diesel/AC electric powertrain haul truck designed by the Terex Division of General Motors and assembled at General Motors Diesel Division's London, ON, Canada assembly plant in 1973. Only one 33-19 was ever produced and it was the largest, highest capacity haul truck in the world for 25 years. After 13 years in service, the 33-19 was restored and is now preserved on static display as a tourist attraction in Sparwood, BC, Canada.

General Motors developed the 33-19 "Titan" in response to open pit mine operators need for more efficient haul trucks. GM believed that a general decrease in mineral ore quality combined with an projected need to mine oil shale and tar sands would increase the quantity of ore hauled by mine operators world wide.^[1] The 33-19 "Titan" was the largest in the Terex 33 series of off-road haul trucks,- June 2011 Wikipedia

Manufacturer	Terex Division of the General Motors Corporation
Production	Prototype, 1973
Assembly	London, ON, Canada
Class	Ultra class
Body style	Dump truck
Layout	Front engine, rear wheel drive
Engine	EMD 16-645E4 Arrangement: V-16 Power: 3,300 horsepower (2,500 kW) Capacity: 10,343 cubic inches (169.49 L)
Transmission	AC Electric
Wheelbase	29 ft 11 in (9.12 m)
Length	66 ft 9 in (20.35 m)
Width	25 ft 7 in (7.80 m)
Height	22 ft 7 in (6.88 m)
Curb weight	GVWR 1,209,500 pounds (548.6 t)

Well there are so many more places and fun things to post for ya all so stay tuned! :)