Wednesday's rock and roll entertainment

EGADS!!  I’ve heard of being rocked to sleep but this is too wild for me to nap in.  The weather has taken a 180 degree turn from sunshine and shorts weather to horrible, gusting winds, rain and temperatures that began in the low 50’s this morning and have reached the 30’s by late afternoon.  We are rockin’ and rollin’ this afternoon with the slide toppers whipping. It feels like we are traveling down a bumpy highway.   I keep asking Dad if we will roll over and he said,  ‘Time will tell!’  Now that’s reassuring. He considered bringing in the slide on the wind side but decided against it.  He wasn't sure what would happen with all the weight on one side with the wind pushing on the opposite side.

It sure is bouncy in here!!  I tried to crawl under Momma’s chair but it didn’t make the noise and wind subside any.  Dad said we don’t have to worry about the toppers holding any water.  They are whipping and flipping too hard. 

After 12 hours of violent whipping and several more hours of mild whipping, the topper on the wind side was showing some stress to the tune of a tear about 6 inches long where it attaches to the rig and some thin spots in the material. 

The good thing is, we stayed upright during the ordeal.

We packed up in the mild wind and chill this morning and drove the first 3 hours in drizzle.  Needless to say, we have road grime all over us once again...and to think we were boasting a shine just 3 nights ago.  I'm sure we will get dirtier as we head further north.

We arrived in Whitecourt, Alberta today, Thursday, and met back up with Aunt Janice and Uncle Robin.  They had decided to go to Drumheller instead of the Calgary area we toured.

Back in Wi-Fi tonight at this campground so it is catch up time.

Momma had a real giggle tonight.   She and Dad decided they should pick up some kitchen garbage bags as the roll was getting light.  Well, the choices were long or original so they looked at the sizes....in cm of course.  The brand name was familiar but......  Not even knowing what size the bags we are using are in inches didn't lend any insight into which ones to grab so.....time for measuring and research.  I'm glad they haven't reached the end of the roll of bags yet.

Then Dad wanted a couple of boxes of salt. He looked all over for those convenient round boxes with the pour spout so he could recharge the water softener.  Nope, table salt comes in rectangular boxes.  Oh well.  It may not pour as easily but it's salt.

When we crossed the border, all the speed zone signs changed to kilometers so Dad swapped his truck display over from miles to kilometers.  Then he had Momma swap the GPS units.  Well, that was a disaster.  The driver doesn't think in metric and the first thing we encountered was a detour.  Now the detour was stressful enough going thru a residential area and looking for signs.   And the GPS kept talking in metric language.....how far away is that turn??  Needless to say, the 'when in Rome....' scenario didn't last with the GPS.  We are back in our comfort zone with units we are used to.

Both Momma and Dad agree that the way they handle credit card payments here is much more secure than in the US.  They bring the hand held machine right to you...no running off with your card out of your sight.   They use the same hand held device in restaurants and other stores, although it may be mounted when at a checkout lane.

Dad and Momma did make it to PASU Farm Wednesday morning before the weather turned sour. 

It is a sheep farm with a shop

that Momma enjoyed and Dad endured along with a restaurant.  The restaurant wasn't open yet but they still let the restaurant provide their lunch.  They purchased some prepared soup to bring back and warm up in the rig.  Hey, did you get enough for me too?

Hickory

..... on the road again