Yellowhead Trail

Edmonton, Ab
July 21

Whew!  Now that was a LONG day...especially when you factor in the time zone change.  But it wasn't without adventure. The day began with a smoky view of what I'm certain could have been one of those trips when I would have been hearing lots of ooohs and ahhhs from the front seats.  Momma grabbed some shots anyway. 

 Our route, the Yellowhead Trail, Trans Hwy 16 took us through a short section of Jasper National Park where we were greeted with some gorgeous elk.  Of course they don't pose for the camera

 The views began to get clearer.

 

But when we came upon the point of  veering off on Hwy 93 toward Lake Louise or staying on the Yellowhead Trail heading for Edmonton, we choose to remain with last night's decision.

The highway had a bit of construction along the way, but it was pretty smooth traveling.  No 'whoop de doos' that we were beginning to miss from our Alcan Hwy travels.  It just isn't fun opening the cupboard doors anymore as nothing comes flying out at you.

Our arrival was a tad disappointing. Still some smoke...but not near what we had had.  Internet was down at Diamond Grove RV Park.  She blamed it on the smoke but said the tech was working on it. (When it finally did come up, it wasn't worth anything! Pitiful!!)   Our nice long site that was advertised as paved did have some sort of gravel with black goo that they obviously referred to as 'paved'.  Now you would think if they were going to go to all the trouble of giving you a 'paved' site, they would at least level it!  After 3 tries, Momma and Dad decided to call it close enough and opened up the slides.  When Momma stood by the front bay on the driver side, the bottom of the bay came to her waist.  It was a different story on the opposite side because of the unevenness of the site.  I didn't complain as I just loved all the grass between the sites! 

What I didn't like was all the thunder and lightning in the evening and night.  Momma said seeing as we got off the road so late (for us) and Aunt Janice was feeling a tad under the weather with a cold??? or cough??? or whatever, it would be a sleep in morning and a day of leisure coming up.  As it turned out, that was a good choice.  Who wants to pack up in the rain? 

By afternoon, the rain had quit and I didn't have to rush my 'business' walks anymore.  Momma had made some bread pudding with bourbon sauce.  Just as Dad and Momma stepped out the door to deliver a couple of bowls to Uncle Robin and Aunt Janice, a dark cloud let loose with some huge drops.  By the time they got inside for the delivery, it had stopped.  Go figure.  What timing!!

Now I am happy to report that with all the rain, lightning and thunder, there was wind.  Wind that carried the smoke off and out of our area.  Ahhh!  Smoke free, fresh air to breathe after chowing down when they broke open my big bag of dog food. 

Life is good...

Hickory

.....on the road again