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Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Home

At Midway, went for a walk up the Kettle River this morning. Beautiful trail along the river. Some inspired Inukshuk builder showed their talent.


Tried our hand at replacing the rocks..
Pretty good, eh?

Down the road to Osoyoos for breakfast. Rob and Sheri are camping here, so got a quick visit before heading to our OK Falls condo to check it out and pick up our computer monitor stand that we left there at the beginning of our trip. Then down the road again towards home. Stopped at Michael and Amanda's new home in Rosedale, but as expected, no one was home. Arrived home about 4:45pm. Great to see our house and yard. Looked better than we expected. Lawn was mowed, even up and down the driveway. Expected all sorts of cobwebs to be filling the front entry but virtually none. 

Miranda texted while we were traveling and wanted us to come over. As we unpacked, Michael called and asked if they could come over. By the time they arrived, the trailer was unpacked, parked, and unpacking the camper. Had a great reunion with the "parents to be". Wonderful to see them. After our visit, shuffled them out of the house, quickly closed up the cupboards in the camper and headed over to see Miranda, Andrew and grandson George. Great to see our daughter and son-in-law. George was already in bed asleep. Caught up with them. So wonderful to be home and see our family. More catching up will happen soon enough.

Drove home for a sleep in our bed! Ahhhhh......




Tuesday, September 6, 2016

To Osoyoos

Our bed at home is calling us! The call is getting louder and clearer by the day.  Last night after updating our blog, we changed our minds, again, and decided to head the fastest route home. A night's sleep did not curb this enthusiasm. Said our goodbyes to Peter and Clara and headed out the Crowsnest Highway, west, towards home. Figured Osoyoos as a destination, but did not make it. Once into the foothills and then mountains, the curves and hills impeded our progress. Made it to Midway, about an hour west of Osoyoos before stopping for the night about 7pm.

Not sure what this is but pretty cool....

Lots of wind turbines in Pincher Creek area 

Finally, MOUNTAINS

Travelling at warp speed into BC, everything is a blur! HaHa

Monday, September 5, 2016

Tunnels of Moose Jaw and to Medicine Hat

Packed up and went into downtown Moose Jaw. Walked around waiting for our Tunnels tour to start. Took the tour linking Al Capone to Moose Jaw. We enjoyed the tour as actors wore period costumes and did a great job. The tunnels took us under the street from one side to the other. Very plausible that Al Capone came to Moose Jaw to buy liquor and ship it to the south on the Soo Rail line as the prohibition in this area lasted only 7 years, but the USA prohibition lasted almost 20 years.

Took the second tour about the Chinese immigrants, the racial prejudice against them, how they exploited and how they had to cope. They dug the tunnels, lived and worked in them. These tunnels were originally dug for the steamfitters to access all the heating systems for the city's large buildings. Very informative, but very sad. Very well done.

Moose Jaw has a very pretty downtown and it appears to be quite a happening hub.

Mural depicting their ranching heritage

Post Office built in 1912, now the City Hall

The oldest Movie theatre, now the Arts Centre


Then on the road to Medicine Hat, 4hr drive. Rain started the day, but by the time we reached Medicine Hat, sun was peaking through. 

Full size helicopter weather vein

Into Alberta

Met up again with Peter and Clara, had some wine and they made us a delicious dinner. Thank you!




Sunday, September 4, 2016

To Moose Jaw

Headed out this morning to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Making our way west quite quickly at the moment. Played leap frog with Peter and Clara, along the highway. Like the old storey of the "Tortoise and the Hare", they arrived at the planned meeting campsite earlier than us. Passed into Saskatchewan and saw that the time had gone back an hour on our phone. Was not supposed too. Not until the Alberta border... but then realized that Saskatchewan stays year round on standard time so half the year they are on central time and the other half same as Alberta.  Heard numerous reports about the Tunnels of Moose Jaw used by Al Capone in the prohibition era and they have a great presentation, so booked it for tomorrow. At Peter and Clara's for a game of Tri-ominos. Lots of fun!


Saturday, September 3, 2016

To Brandon Manitoba

Our friends Peter and Clara emailed late last night and said the were in Brandon, about 9hrs ahead from us, so we got up early and headed west. Roads very good for most of the way. After Winnipeg was a lot of construction, but arrived about 4:30pm. Nice to see them and drink some wine... Sunny most of the way. cool in the morning, warming to 30Âșc in the afternoon before cooling off and raining as we neared Brandon.


Friday, September 2, 2016

Terry Fox Memorial

Got up and headed west to Thunder Bay. On the road not more than five minutes we encounter a semi-truck weaving all over the road. Looked like he was dosing off at the wheel. Called 911 to report but the cops never did anything about this guy. He followed us at a great distance for almost 80 kms. The rest of the day was uneventful. Nice scenery, nice roads with the exception of some broken pavement near WaWa and bridge construction. Arrived at the Terry Fox Memorial after checking out a possible road diversion where my Dad and Lynda made an Inuksuk 10 years ago. it wasn't there any longer. Terry Fox Memorial was quite cool. Then we parked in the Walmart for the night and got Groceries. Talked to a few travellers from Switzerland and from Germany. Very nice people, have done north and south Americas. Had lots to talk about with both.

Where Dad and Lynda's Inuksuk should have been



View of Thunder Bay from the Terry Fox Memorial

Thursday, September 1, 2016

To Sudbury

Packed up and followed Randy & Vivian and Danny & Karen to Antrim truck stop in Arnprior (little town 80kms west of Ottawa). This is their favourite spot for breakfast. After a good breakfast, we said our goodbyes and headed west towards Sudbury.  Thank you for everything and looking forward to seeing you in the spring in BC!  DJ17



Not long after starting our westward journey, in a small town of Deep River, a yearling bear cub bolted out in front of us. We swerved into the other lane and if the cub had not stopped, he would have run into the side of our trailer.

Arrived at the "Big Nickel" in Sudbury about 5pm. There has been a huge nickel mine in Sudbury since the late 1800s. Took pics and carried on. Then a lot of road construction. Arrived at Iron Bridge about 7:30pm and found a campsite.  On the outskirts of Iron Bridge, another small bear started crossing the road. When we swerved and the tires drove over the centre rumble strips, he got scared by the noise and ran back into the trees...