Between Alberta and Montana, the World’s First International Peace Park
The first stop on our bus tour was Waterton Lake where we crossed the international border on a tour boat
Saturday, August 5, 2023 ~ We boarded the Caravan Tour bus with 45 others leaving Calgary early in the morning headed for the rolling prairie of Alberta.
We snagged the front seat of the bus, perfect for picture taking. Tomorrow we’ll move back 3 seats until we reach the back of the bus, then we’ll work our way forward.
On our first pit stop, I noticed an interesting electric charging station and was intrigued by the saying, Live by the Leaf. According to Petro-Canada, it means “To strive beyond just being kind. To be Canadian is to not just ask your neighbor how they are, it’s to ask them how you can help. To be Canadian is to Live By The Leaf.” I like that!
Our first stop was Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta’s cowboy country.
The world’s first International Peace Park was formed by combining Waterton Lakes National Park with Glacier National Park in Montana. It was founded in 1931 with the help of Rotary Clubs in Alberta and Montana.
According to the Parks-Canada website, “It was intended not just to promote peace and goodwill between nations, but also to underscore the international nature of wilderness and the co-operation required in its protection.”
Waterton Lake is 7 miles long, 3 miles wide and the average depth is 220’. The water averages 50 degrees
After lunch, we took an hour and a half cruise on Waterton Lake.
The views were spectacular. Photos don’t do them justice.
They clear the international border cut line every 15 years.
Ride along with us as we cross the international border from Alberta, Canada into the wild Northernmost part of Glacier National Park in Montana.
Waterton, where the mountains meet the prairie.
It was a beautiful start to the day. We’d love to come back, camp, hike, and stay longer. Next up, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village where we spent the afternoon.
Seeing the cutline along the border in the video was a treat. I've never been out there and the beauty took my breath away.