Madigan enjoyed our walk by the river. He’s glad to get back to the truck though. I think he can smell grizzly. When I was hiking to the tops of mountains in my 20’s I didn’t even have a ‘bear banger’. I always carried a knife, usually a leather man or Swiss Army knife. Today I prefer a Bowie and a 12 guage or 30:06 in the mountains. 
Driving out of Jasper I came the road to Miete Hot Springs. I couldn’t resist. What a great hot springs and spa!!! 17 km easy drive on a paved road through the woods to the spa. There are cabins there and big pools. Great to be in a hot springs in the sun, snow capped mountains around, blue sky, sunshine. Attractive life guards. Young and old. A wonderful soak. I enjoyed the black one piece bathing suit. Madigan waited in the camper and was glad to see me on my return.
We saw deer along the road to the Hot Springs. On the highway we came across mountain sheep with great curved antlers and mountain goats further along. The scenery between Jasper and Edmonton was stunning.
I did my residency exams in Edmonton but didn’t stop there this time. Jazz is great there. I loved a visit there to what I thought was the greatest mall in the world and proof of concept for living on the moons or Mars. I knew a girl from Vegreville. She’d be a grandmother now but we were hippy teens back then. Children. All sorts of nostalgia is coming up on this trip.
I drove on into the night realizing I couldn’t read the signs and not finding a rest area bit rather enjoying the night driving. Eventually tired I drove into Radisson and parked by the ice rink. It was 2 in the morning and I slept till 6 am. These little towns are all quaint and have the gas station, store, beauty parlor, hard ware and fire station.
Once I hit the prairies I was overwhelmed by the earthy scents. Coming home. Prairies . Endless big sky. Agriculture prices on the radio. I teared up with fond thoughts of my parents and growing up in this incredible land.
I drove through Saskatoon thinking of my friend Ron just buying a place there. Great town. Such fond memories of visitting my dad as a teen and going horseback riding with with the cowboys and cowgirls that were his friends there. He spent the summer installing a conveyor system. I enjoyed my week with him immensely. Father son time. Fishing in Saskatchewan is the best.
Regina was a big city. It wasn’t when as I boy. We used to joke that you could blink and miss it. Not anymore. A regular cosmopolitan place.
Dad took Aunt Sally Mom and Rom and Me on a drive to the coast from Winnipeg. The family joke was Aunt Sally asking, what is that billy . Me what. What. There, she kept pointing. Finally I realized she was pointing at an oncoming car. We’d not seen one all day. That was how vast and empty the prairies were back then.
Now my gps map got be turned about and decided that it was going to take me through the states to Ottawa. I’d just plugged in Ottawa’s and next I was at the International peace station and the machine was taking me across the border. I had my passport but didn’t have Madigan’s and didn’t want to go the American route. I doubled back and took Number 2 to Winnipeg.
Great views. Great scents. Canada Geese and mallards in marshes and ponds. Combines. Spring.Yet the heat is more like July and August. Bugs on the windshield.
It was night when I arrived on Pembina Highway. . I drove to the family Home on north drive. Took a picture of the place that’s so big in my mind the older I get. Then I took a picture of the Fort Garry United Church where I taught Sunday School. Mom and Dad eventually went there after Dad convinced mom to go local rather than drive to Trinity Baptist the church of our childhood. I took a picture of Viscount Alexander School. Then I drove past where Kirk and I set the pile of leaves on fire on the street. Then it was on to Vincent Massey Collegiate past my childhood crush Kathy’s house. In the Vincent Massey parking lot I phoned this Winnipeg West KOA RV park. The man said he’d leave the gate open. Here I am. A wonderful place, Windy but good cell reception, wi fi and Star link Access.
St. Franchise Exavier near Headly. I love this lay out. Now I have to get on the Docside site and phone patients for the day of virtual psychiatry and addiction medicine. I’m all set up with star link and cellphone and even have the cappuccino maker on the counter. It was quite the whirlwind getting here. Now time to work and relax before more long haul driving.
Thank you Jesus.
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