"On the road again"........That is our traveling theme song.
We have arrived in Fort MacLeod, our destination for the second day of our Odyssey. It is 10pm, we have the tent set-up, the beds are made, the citronella candle burning and have almost used a full bottle of "natural Buzz Away". One of the first things on our to-do list tomorrow is buy industrial strength, Deep Woods OFF. Forget about non-toxic. We are being eaten alive.
If the journey yesterday was a trip down memory lane, this was a road less travelled. We were listening to CBC's This is Canada, and hearing lyrics from a song by the Tragically Hip, "we are making new memories and sharing the way together". That describes our trip today.
Points of interest along the way today - scenery, scenery and more scenery. From deep green valleys to rocky mountains, the world's largest truck, rows of wind turbines, 4 elk, 1 prairie dog, the Frank Slide.
We changed the voice on our GPS. "Jack" was beginning to sound like the Dustin Hoffman character in the movie "RainMan" - re-calculate, re-calculate. We are now traveling with a Julie Andrews sound-alike. She does not sound quite as irritated with us when we decide not to follow her directions.
The highlight of the day today - driving past the Pincher Creek area, viewing the wind turbines, not realizing that Ed was increasing his speed until the flashing lights behind us pulled us over. This is Ed's first ticket in 30 years. The last ticket he got was when we were driving back from Banff on our honeymoon. How's that for a coincidence?
Our solstice supper was at the Silver Grill Chinese restaurant. We had fresh shrimp with broccoli and mushrooms, beef chow mein and steamed rice. Surprisingly, it was very tasty, followed by pumpkin soft serve ice cream for me, and blueberry soft serve ice cream for Ed from the Igloo ice cream stand (25 flavours of soft-serve ice cream). Also, as we were walking around Fort MacLeod we found a heritage alley listing prominent people from Fort MacLeod. It turns out Joni Mitchell was born in Fort MacLeod. Now I know why we are here.
....and the seasons, they go round and round, the painted ponies go up and down, we're captive on a carousel of time, we can't return, we can only look behind from where we came, and go round and round in the circle game.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Did you forget to bring the USB cable for the camera; where are the photos?
ReplyDeleteAlso, Chinese food on a road trip? That's what I call risky behaviour!
emily.
Mom and Dad,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are having such a special, wonderful time on your Odyssey. Of course I cried when Mom quoted Joni Mitchell but it really is like all your followers get to come along with you on this special trip as you write. I feel like I get a sense of the landscape there as well and as you know this geography lesson excites me. I will keep reading. Happy traveling, Love Natalie
What a great blog, Debby. I can actually feel the wind blowing through your hair as you speed through prairies landscapes, especially Fort MacLeod, which I recall nearly set sail our wee VW Beetle in 1974.
ReplyDeleteThat traffic ticket has a very synchronistic aura. I wonder what other "coincidences" are coming your way?
We are missing you guys. Drive CAREFULLY. Love Maureen
Great writing on this blog - you could be read on CBC some day if you keep this up!
ReplyDeleteI was shocked (but not surprised) to hear about the speeding ticket. Memo to driver: outside BC they actually do law enforcement!
Beware if you are planning to open a can of beer anywhere in Ontario... and don't even think of jaywalking if you find yourself within 100 km of Toronto!