April 30, 2011
Even though it was always in the plans, leaving Fountain Hills was no easy task. We simply loved the town, the area and especially the people. Who would have thunk we would miss Starbucks? (Rob even suggested we auction off our seats outside. Instead we engraved our names on them.) Four months was just too short. April 1 we said goodbye to all the cactus people and pointed north at 7 am…it was sunshine and 20C (70F). Fast forward to Canmore, Alberta a few days later, we arrived in snow and 2C (34F) in the afternoon. Ow!!!!! But not to worry Fountain Hills, we will be back!
Further up Highway 93, punched through the continuing desert of the southwest, we drove through an area of unique flora. The things looked like a tree/a big bush/a sprawling cactus all in one. But they were Joshua trees. At first a few. Then a large area where they were as thick as a forest. Some 10 meters (30 feet) high. An amazing sight. Shortly after was a large parking area just off the road. Next to it was an old beaten up building, nothing more than a big beaten up old shack. The building was called “AllMart” and a sign on the building said “NOTHING”. These people were obviously not fans of WalMart. Further up…Hoover Dam…Lake Mead…Las Vegas.
April 1 was “moving day” for many of the snowbirds who were now flying north. License plates from Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Illinois…all going back, too early most said. The hordes were in cars, campers, motor homes…even on motorcycles, all making mental notes for the return trip in a few months. Going north was only temporary. The look on their faces showed that.
With little traffic and a high speed limit we made good time. Until… To continue our chosen route we had to turnoff onto another road. A large sign read “Extraterrestrial Highway”. Were there aliens about? Suddenly, from around the next corner came a black object going as fast as a spaceship with lights and sirens suddenly exploding! What the hell was happening? Just as suddenly our worst fear was confirmed…we…okay, I…was being stopped for speeding by a state trooper. Might have been cheaper if it actually had been an alien!! $92 lighter, we were on our way…at a slower speed.
First night we stayed in Ely, Nevada, a dusty town of mining origin now secluded from the rest of the world. But nonetheless, there was a Chinese restaurant. Ely may actually be used to simply fill a blank space on a map. A few years ago I worked in Peru with someone from Ely; now I know why he was there.
Just after 7 am the next day we were on our way. This time to confront gale force winds all day. Hard driving and hard on gas. We were even pulling tumbleweeds out of the front of the car. The winds continued through northern Nevada, southern Idaho and southern Oregon. When blinding dust storms, which forced us to a crawl, or snow squalls hit, it was even more fun. Anyone walking was at a 45 degree angle just to stay upright. Hats? They were in the next county! Into northern Oregon, the reflective green fields of spring blasted the eyes with harsh brightness, an indication they had received ample rainfall.
The next day saw the Canadian border by noon. Forty-five minutes with just a few questions and we were through. We stopped at our storage unit in Penticton to drop off Arizona gear and pickup pre-organized Europe gear. In Vernon, British Columbia we had dinner with friends we hadn’t seen in 20 years…and it felt like old times slipping right back into the smooth and easy conversation with people we had missed. Don and Andrea…let’s not wait so long next time. (As an aside, we were given a well-deserved “shot” by an old friend of ours from Vernon about not stopping in to see him. We apologize to him and other equally good friends in Vernon, Kamloops and Canmore. We had thought that one month between Arizona and Europe was going to be enough to do everything…it wasn’t. We bow to you all in deep respect and appreciation for your continued friendship. And to Dan’s sister…a doubly big sorry.)
The next day we drove through the stunningly beautiful spine of the Rockies to Canmore, Alberta, our home base. Lots of snow and cold. The gravel spread in the winter to make the streets safer to drive is abundant and makes the air dusty whenever a car goes by or the wind kicks up. We had arrived after 3000 km (1800 miles) and 32 hours of driving. Two days later came another storm 15 cm (6 in) of snow. It’s been lightly falling off and on since. The temperatures are not going up and both of us are whining, pure and simple!!
April must have been a very happy month a few decades ago. The result is a few birthdays within a few days of each other. So Rob and Val thought it would be a good idea to have a combined birthday party. Good idea! Taxied (cause we knew what was coming) to their place during a full-on snow storm (AGAIN). Had lots of laughs and drinks with friends…until 2:30 am! We had to beg a ride home the next morning into the waiting paws of the cats we’re staying with. Didn’t seem to bother them though we did get the feeling that they wondered what two old people like us had been doing out so late. It’s not the aging that gets harder…it’s the celebration of that aging that gets tougher!
April 23 and 24, we drove to Hinton, Alberta. Both days were beautiful sunny skies which made the drive on the spine of the Canadian Rockies even better than usual. With a heavier than usual snow-fall this winter, the mountains looked even more majestic than ever. The road goes from Lake Louise in the south to Jasper in the north, a distance of 230 km (140 mi) and is one of the most beautiful sights on the planet. It is stunning! In my climbing days it was part of my stomping grounds. And of course the area is full of wildlife. We were lucky enough to see elk, big horn sheep, deer…and a grizzly…from 30 meters (100 ft) away!! He was probably the biggest grizzly we’ve
ever seen! The close-up was taken just as Dawn was about to pet him (NOT!!!). He was rooting out things to eat wherever he could sniff them out.
Not hard to dig when your claws are 10 cm (4 in) or longer!!
The reason to go to Hinton, not your highest rated tourist destination, was to see our son and his family. We usually get to see them only twice a year so we were really looking forward to this. Our grandson tried his patience by showing Dawn how to play a video game. Not a resounding success and the humiliation for our grandson was enough to hide behind her. Our granddaughter didn’t even want to be on the same couch! Our son…well…he just laughed.
We’ve almost finished the packing for Europe…two day packs, four duffle bags and three bike boxes (the partridge and the pear tree will have to wait)…all chocker-block full. The bags are flying with us while the boxes will be shipped via air cargo.
This next chapter is a dream of Dawn’s…see lots of Europe we’ve not been to, buy a camper, and bike when and where we can. Oh…and help reduce the wine inventory on the entire continent. Maybe that will help her video skills!!
NEWS FLASH: Canmore, Alberta, Canada…April 30, 2011…35 cm (14 in) snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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