Spring 1997 - Cincinnati to Yukon
Journals - 15 June 1997
Day 76 - Whitecourt, Alberta
15 June 1997 (sunny; nice; hot; light head wind; mileage 48.9) -- X - We
got up late with possible plans to see the gardens where Carrie works. She
found out, though, that they weren't open until 13:00. We cooked oatmeal in
her yard and while we were relaxing and wondering what to do, her neighbor
started talking to us and brought us over to his house to see his
collection of wares he had made as a blacksmith. He gives lessons on
smithing and was very talkative. He was interrupted by a customer (who
needed blacksmith work!), and we left. He came over to Carrie's and got us
again to show us something else at his house. His poetry. He was a, sort
of, folk poet. Very interesting guy and quite friendly. I could see how
Carrie could tire of his company, though. We finally left at about noon
into strong winds and blazing sun. We rode pretty well to Mayerthorpe where
we had lunch. Two Canada notes: Their bacon is different and they use
Robertson screws everywhere! Good job, Canada! There was a woman in the
place singing and playing guitar for her friends. We then went to the
grocery store. While A shopped, I talked to an interested young father. He
said he was interested in bikes since he hikes to remote places a lot.
About 5 km down the road, he was waiting for us to ask us if we needed a
place to stay or a shower. That was super nice, and I'm sorry I couldn't
take him up and that we didn't get his address. Well, good karma to him! We
started hitting some HILLS and there were some small MOUNTAINS in the
distance. We were resting on a hill when a truck pulled up and offered us
1) H2O, 2) a place to stay in Grand Prairie, 3) a ride, and 4) anything
else. That's super cool. We took their address and bottled H2O which was
very welcome! This is how I will be from now on! We dropped into a huge
valley into White Court and bailed out into the Lion's ($10) campground.
I'm off to go take my shower! A - It's amazing how easy 50 miles are now.
It seemed like we had a really lame day and my knees are causing me much
pain, but we made it here easily anyway. Pretty cool. Hope the mountains
don't change that too much!
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