Day 25 - Moose Jaw to Calgary
It was quite a nice morning in Moose Jaw.
Since breakfast was included, I took advantage.
I packed up and as I got down to the parking lot met a couple of gents on cruisers from Ontario. They'd been to BC and also battled the weather. We chatted for a bit about the issues they had in the west, and the ones I had in the east, and then they rode off. I didn't get a photo as we were all busy packing bikes and getting ready to roll.
The SuperT was all gassed up and ready to go, so I set off for Swift Current, then it would be a northern turn in Medicine Hat and Calgary as the destination for the day.
In Swift Current I was ready to get some gas and it was time for a second cup of coffee and a snack. Sitting down I asked the old gent sitting alone in the booth behind me "You're not going to steel my stuff are you?" He had a good chuckle at that.
Pulling into Swift Current the temperature had dropped and some darker clouds had appeared. I was a bit concerned about how early the rain would hit today. When I stepped back outside the Timmies, the clouds were gone. And I'd only been inside about 20 minutes. So, given that I could see the sky for what seemed like forever, where did they go?
I didn't care. It was quite a bit warmer, I got gas, put on some music and headed back out on the road.
At one point the music switched and I thought that I only added a couple of songs of this album, but when I looked at the trip meter, I'd gone 75 km. So, I guess the album finished. You have so much time to think, and at this point I'd been riding for so many days, that thoughts come and go and time loses a bit of meaning at times.
Measurements change, from 'that's 30 minutes' to, "well that's only 50 km", or "I'm still 1 tank away from finding a hotel". Especially in the Prairies, where riding requires attention only when something 'special' is going on. Like strong winds, or other weather. I'd not experienced this as strongly in previous trips. But, I guess this one was different.
One more tank of gas after Medicine Hat (if there wasn't too much headwind) and I'd be at Mike's.
75 km after, I was passing the first large storm cell on my left. Then, the wind switched suddenly and the next storm cell was on my right. The temperature also dropped by almost 10 degrees C.
I had to stop and add a layer. Looks nice out, right?
Except, I had to try hard to find a place where I could pull the bike over. Because the wind was so strong that I was afraid it'd push the bike over. Also, I just got past this:
It doesn't look nearly as intimidating in the photo as it did in real life (does it ever?).
Onwards, and then as I got close to Strathmore it got so dark ahead that I thought it would be best if I got a quick bite to eat, made a pitstop and maybe gassed up again.
Still not looking bad in the photos (shot from inside the McDonald's)
I sat next to a group of older guys an they watched my stuff. We joked around a lot (there must have been about 7 or 8 of them) and they asked some questions about the trip.
Eventually all but one left and I chatted with Jim a bit more. As we talked about where he came from (Manitoba) and how long he'd been in Strathmore (since the 1970's) eventually we talked about Ontario and the Terry Fox memorial. He'd also been there, and mentioned that he'd taken his mother as it "was special". It turns out he's related to Terry Fox. IIRC, he's the cousin to Terry Fox's grandfather? Anyway, amazing to meet him. Thanks for the chat Jim, it was a real pleasure!
He finally managed to get up (it took some effort) and head out and I watched the skies through the window. Waiting for things to move through.
Now it was starting to rain
Eventually the shower moved through I got gas and then found my written instructions on how to get to Mike's house were all wrong.
I missed my turnoff well before Strathmore and ended up much too far north. But, eventually and after multiple somewhat 'sketchy' riding maneuvers to get me back on the right path, I arrived.
Did I take photo of hanging out with Mike, his wife and son? Or the tasty pizza or beer we drank? Or the place I slept?
No. I forgot, as we caught up on old times, and started to make some riding plans for next year.
Some Stats:
Total km: 13,119
Storms dodged: 3 or 4
Wind battled: 2 - 3 hours
Soakings: 2 good ones, but short
Friends caught up with: 1
Hotels stayed in: 0
Forecast for tomorrow: Wet in the morning and ... wait for it ... Windy! Who'd have guessed the weather would suck yet again?