Copyright 2019, CABS for Reflections From the Fence
June 24, 2019
Slow start. Left campground about 10:30. First up. Fuel!
First one last view of Jasper National Park, from Grande Prairie.
Using the scenic route 40 via Willmore Wilderness Park ( a back country park for experienced horseback riders and hikers. This is truly a wilderness.). Roadway a bit rough. Just noisy.
Some logging was going on - -
Scenic route, well to Grande Cache it was.
Before the town proper were many miles marked “caribou crossings”. Nary a one was spied. Seems their migration season is over. Did see one deer and one young elk, with fury short antlers.
Stopped at the Visitors Center and dealt with a very knowledgeable young woman. I picked up a British Columbia and Yukon map, both of which I wanted. Decided against the Labrinth, and a drive to the Sulfur Gates area was passed by as the reports of deep mud from all the recent rains was not appealing. If one had more time to explore - -
This dude was hanging out at the Visitors Center for some reason??
North to Grande Prairie was another story. We passed a coal burning power plant, no photos. After that, we drove miles and miles of hills, rivers, creeks, repeat. Then started the construction. And the miles and miles of propane or oil drilling stuff/sites. Trucks, huge storage facilities. On and on it went. To me this turned quickly from a scenic ride to a commercial production avenue. There were hundreds of large 18-wheelers. Logging trucks. Mud. Mud. And more mud.
While passing through one of the several construction zones, a caterpillar type piece of equipment with tracks, vs tires/wheels, said caterpillar spit mud at us, landed mid-window. Made a good ole "splat" sound. Loud too. That IS a first for us. Sorry bout the quality of the photo, lots of reflections in there, ohhh, that might be a good thing, see what I did there? LOL
Found a campground, with no reservations. Headed for the RV/car/truck wash.
Before - -
And, after, just a wee bit better. And, nope, it did not last long. Rain and lots of dirt/mud here in Alberta, The Estate was dirty the next travel day.
We decided we wanted pizza and beer. Let’s just say, it was not funny at the time, but pretty sure ya all would be laughing. Sigh. Big ole first world issues. GPS would tell me to turn 50 feet after the actual turn.
The short Cliff Notes version. Beer obtained. Pizza delivered to the campsite and we were back in time to take delivery. The beer and the pizza were both good!
218 miles today.
Grande Prairie for 2 nights. It’s time to lick our wounds, as my daddy used to say.
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