July 16, 2006

Selected Trip Journal entries:

10:31 AM = Had a big ol' hot country breakfast at the hotel and put everything in the car, for the journey into Canada today!

"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone..."

1:22 PM = 1201.0 miles = The great big country to the north! CANADA! (10th time I think?) Stopped in between both countries at 1:22 PM. Just a couple of standard questions at the border checkpoint... no problems this time. Stayed @ the border till 1:37/1201.1 miles.

3:13/1229.9 = Blooooooo Moyie Lake with sailboats and jet boats... song on CD = "Ob La Di Ob La Da Life Goes On", then "Travellin' Man"

"If you're ever in Alaska stop and see my cute lil eskimo"

There are only 5 places mentioned in this song - Mexico, Alaska, Berlin, Hong Kong, Waikiki. ("Chinadoll" and "Polynesian Baby" dont count!)

3:28/1244 = First view of Canadian Rockies!

$5 lunch (from now on all prices listed are in CAD until I enter ALASKA this THURSDAY!

4:55/1311.6 = Austria, Switzerland, and Colorado all rolled up into one sweet package... near Fernie, BC

5:03/1319.9 = "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet..."

5:25/1339.5 = Accident up ahead ... all traffic stopped but the view is fantastic! River down below with mountains all around, including under me... (and above me)

5:35/1341.2 = Alberta welcomed me.

6:39/1405.9 = Took "exit" for Hwy 2 NORTH towards Calgary. The speed limit is finally 110 Kmph and Calgary is 100 miles from here and Red Deer is 100 miles more after that. Now I'm in Alberta's farm country with distant views of the Rockies on the left <-----

Calgary is the first city today that I've already been to before, after Coeur d'Alene this morning. The last time that happened in North America (i.e. >90% "new" stuff in the day) was on my previous Alaska attempt in 2002.

9:06 PM = 1557.0 miles = The sun is still 3 full finger widths above the horizon at arm's length -- I'm getting up there!!

9:33 PM / 1588.8 = Took a couple of sunset pics; it's still one finger width above the horizon (at arm's length). Better prepare the car for Red Deer arrival now...

9:45 PM = The sun is setting right now, and I've parked at Best Western Inn in Red Deer. 1599.5 trip miles

July 15 Contents July 17