Post #4

Calgary, Alberta

We've spent the last few days traveling through British Columbia, and just as the billboards, license plates, pamphlets, and dinner menus inform us, it is beautiful. First leg was from Vancouver to Armstrong through the Okanagan. Yes, for us southerners, it is a weird name but believe me, very familiar feeling to it. Just like Tahoe, down to the casinos, wintertime skiing, summertime biking, and touristy areas with locals tending to live in areas not as frequently traveled. Biggest difference, it has wine grapes too. Basically combine Tahoe and Napa.

Then went to Kamloops and found a little campground and met up with our aunt lily-jean and her brood of kids. Pretty nice digs actually, and I have to say, the little plywood platform rog and I rigged up for the back of the truck works like a charm. Clean, dry, and comfy, though you don't want to wake up quickly...

Next leg was to Fort Saint John, about 12 hours of driving and 1000 km later, back to the land of our birth. We stayed with the Thompsons (Wayne and Joan) and met a bunch of folks who knew our family when we lived on a grain farm there in the early 80's. Overall, pretty neat to see and I guess I can understand why our folks might have chosen to live there. Great weather and Fort Saint John was actually a bit bigger than I thought it would be. Course, in winter that's another story.

Then spent a night near Grand Cache (thanks to the camper shell again), and the last two days in Jasper and Banff. Amazing scenery but kind of pricey, especially for road trippers trying to save some dough. Our meals have been an eclectic mix of homemade from friends (oh, so good) and PB sandwiches, with honey and hot sauce. Really good and cheap, believe me.

Anyhow, in calgary now, and will see some more relatives soon. Only 12,000 miles to go...