Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Saskatchewan Tour

After spending the night near Vilna, AB, we crossed into Saskatchewan, and immediately encountered rough roads – which is the norm.  I hear that Sask. is enjoying an economic boom right now – so fix the roads, already! (I can say this as I am from Sask. originally. GO Riders!)

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Actually, some of the roads at the border were undergoing construction, so I guess there is progress, and I did encounter some pretty rough roads in some sections of Alberta, namely the south end of Jasper Park on a recent trip.   I drove through some areas in Meadow Lake Provincial Park where I used to work as a Conservation Officer many years ago.CIMG1949CIMG1950 CIMG1951 CIMG1955 CIMG1956 CIMG1960 CIMG1961

Here is a cabin I lived in for two or three years at Howe Bay on Pierce Lake. CIMG1963

I carried on eastward through the park, then through Meadow Lake and Green Lake before surprising a college classmate when I pulled into his yard to camp the next night.CIMG1984 

Then it was on to Prince Albert National Park.

CIMG1986 CIMG1987 CIMG1988 CIMG1989 I had hoped to camp at the Narrows, but the road was closed while highways crews replaced a culvert :-(.CIMG1991

So I drove around and checked out the young bull elk in the area.

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And toured around some of the deserted, but scenic park roads displaying their fall colours.

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I hiked a couple of short trails.CIMG2008 CIMG2011

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Here’s a shot taken over my shoulder while driving!  Hailey was entertaining herself on the backseat headrest!

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Later the next day, the road did open to the Narrows, but they were still working on the culvert.CIMG2026 CIMG2029 CIMG2020

After attending a retirement party in Prince Albert, and visiting with more friends and relatives along the way, it was back to Alberta.  I was listening the the football game between the Riders and Hamilton.  I was disgusted and almost turned off the radio when the home team was down 15-0 at the end of the first quarter.  But, to their credit, the green machine turned it around and surged back to win the game.  It was close right to the last play, but I was almost out of range of the radio station, and considered pulling over so as not to miss the final plays.  Through the static, I could hear that we had pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat.  Lookout Calgary, here we come! 

Back at home, the last couple of loads are being hauled from my house as I plan to vacate by month end. After a couple days stacking boxes in the ‘new’ house, I think it will be time to hit the road for a month!

4 comments:

  1. Well Ivan, I would say you are living a life most of us can only dream of. A true nature person who has not only lived in the environment he works in but who has made it his purpose to help & improve the environment as well through his forestry career. Soon it will be true retirenment & holiday time for you so keep us posted on your adventures & give that cute little Haileypants a smooch for the old Cursmudgion:)) Looks just like my little Tooneybear buddy I had with me years ago............

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  2. Nice Elk shots. Looks like they were getting ready for a dual. Stay safe.

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  3. I think Waskesiu is every bit a nice as banff, but twice as accessible! Glad you had fun. Was it your Retirement party you attended? I was up at Lake Louise Last Sunday. first time for me. 13 years in Calgary and I finally went up there. Pretty nice. Lake was smaller than I thought.

    Take care Ivan!

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  4. I think Waskesiu is every bit a nice as banff, but twice as accessible! Glad you had fun. Was it your Retirement party you attended? I was up at Lake Louise Last Sunday. first time for me. 13 years in Calgary and I finally went up there. Pretty nice. Lake was smaller than I thought.

    Take care Ivan!

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