I woke to the sound of chirping sparrows and the early morning sun streaming into the trailer. Looking outside, I saw the big blue Alberta sky and morning shadows, slowly shrinking with the passage of the rising sun. It was time to get up and prepare for Susans return.
She flew back from her overnight MRI appointment in Kelowna, with amazing views of the Rockies on her way back to Calgary.
When she arrived, she was greeted by a strong smell of freshly brewed coffee, and a blur of happy Chloe. In case your wondering…I was also happy.
After a hearty breakfast of oatmeal, and a big mug of coffee for Susan, we set about our respective chores to prepare the trailer for the next leg of our adventure.
We pulled out of the campground at 10:00am and headed down the 201 onto Highway 2 towards Fort MacLeod. On the way, I couldn’t resist a quick stop at the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a Lancaster Bomber tucked inside the small building, bringing back memories of the stories my father would share with me, about his time working on Lancaster engines and airframe during the war.
After Nanton, we continued south on Highway 2. One of our followers suggested we visit Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, which is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site that preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture. Looking across the vast landscapes, and the museum exhibits, one can learn about the cultural significance of this cliff to the Plains People.
From Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, we headed west on Highway 3, through Lethbridge, towards Medicine Hat. The road was recently resurfaced, and provided a smooth ride for my two passengers, relaxing in the sunshine. They slipped into a much needed slumber.
Driving along, with field after field of crops passing by, I watched the clouds, driven by strong side winds, slowly gathering into a storm on the horizon. The sway bar we installed in Edmonton improved the trailer handling in side wind conditions. I was relaxed while the radio played quietly for company.
We arrived in Medicine Hat, and pulled into the local Walmart to rest for the night. There were 18 other travellers in mini vans, travel trailers, and motor homes, all stopping for the night.
As a token of our appreciation for the Medicine Hat Walmart’s generosity, we bought a few pre-packaged salads and a roast chicken for supper.
It’s no surprise, after Susan’s gruelling overnight round trip for an MRI, she slipped into bed and succumbed to blissful sleep with the sun still low on the horizon and streaming into the trailer.
I sat at the dinette table, blogging, and glanced out of the window occasionally to reflect on another amazing day. The sun sank lower, the clouds transitioned from pink to red, and the street lights turned on.
Tomorrow we have another driving day, each taking short turns to remain alert, as we continue east on Highway 1 to Regina, Saskatchewan.