Well made it in one piece to Lethbridge....and not too tired. I got a white Ford Fiesta with Siruis radio. I had a blast singing along to the oldies the whole way here. It is a good little car to drive - seems Enterprise is going through their ford phase lately. I don't care. I am not a car person so as long as it's got four wheels and works I am fine with it.
I stopped at Maple Creek for lunch. A family of twelve was being served so the rest of us had to wait forever for our meal - I had a denver sandwich. It was really good though. Then off I went in the rain...it was beautiful leaving Regina. The canola fields under the blue sky were breathtaking. I stopped at Chaplin to visit the interpretive centre and learn more about the "salt" lake. I always thought it was snow when I was a kid!! Anyway it was one of those rains where it couldn't make up it's mind what it wanted to do.....on and off, on and off - but beats heavy rain. I gassed up at Medicine Hat but didn't stop to do a walk in the rain needless to say - I will be there for two nights next week so that's fine. I stopped at Bow Island to use the loo in their little tourist centre had a cute friendly old guy in it. I also met this guy...
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Pinto McBean!!! I guess the area must be famous for pinto beans |
On to Lethbridge where I checked into the Days Inn. It is within walking distance of downtown, is the start point for the walk I wanted to do and I can walk down into the coulees. Also fairly close to the church and reception hall. Should I say win, win, win, win and win.
I headed off for a walk down into the coulees - on the phone to my cousin at the same time. I didn't go far as I didn't have water with me nor mosquito spray - it was just something to stretch my legs. However I did run into these characters...
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They were taking part in a reinactment at Fort Whoop Up the next day. |
I then walked over to the mall as I had forgotten my comb. I bought one at Shoppers Drug Mart and I accidentally hit the scanner which was on (she was away price checking something) and I screwed up the system. What can I say, I have a talent. I couldn't see any place in the mall that appealed to me to eat at - same old, same old. So I went to the Penny Cafe where I had half sandwich and a delicious bowl of veggie soup. I then headed back to the room and relaxed.
This morning I had a bagel, egg and banana at the complimentary breakfast at my hotel, put on my walking boots and backpack and off I went down into the coulees. The park trails were a mess in places and the 10km walk had been cancelled. I learned more about coal mining in the area in a little kiosk and enjoyed the walk, I then went to Fort Whoop Up which is in the park and it was fantastic. Well worth the 7 dollar admission fee. A great 30 minute film followed by displays and then to the fort. So interesting. I met the official greeter - a goat named Mary Frances. She was sitting demurely on a bench.
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The one and only Mary Frances |
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Horse shoes in the blacksmith store. |
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In the tipi |
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I wish I would have had time to go on a stagecoach ride! |
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Reinactment - are any of my horsey friends in this picture. All horses look the same to me! |
I wandered through the rooms. These were a bunch of scalliwags - selling booze to the Indians and totally out of control. I guess you could call it the original party town. It is very tragic how the native Indians were treated by the European settlers. There was a party of "soldiers" on horseback - one which I had seen the day before. So neat to see. I went into a teepee and the Indian sang a lullaby to the children with the kids playing their "maracas". It was a great visit - an hour and a half flew by and I could have spent longer. It was small in comparison to Fort Edmonton or Fort William but very well done. I will add photos when I get home...unless I can get a faster wifi connection. Don't know if it's that or my netbook but it won't let me upload photos.
I went to a shop/bakery called the Wooden Shoe and got a sandwich with English crisps. I resisted temptation as there was LOTS I could have bought from all over...Holland, Germany, UK, etc.
Off to the wedding next!
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