Chinook, Wild horse, Elk Water, Medicine Hat……

Napping has become a daily occurrence.

A customary overnight stop at the home of our friends, Tim and Judy, in Chinook, MT always provides a welcomed break, warm conversation and much needed showers. Our dog, Pika, joined in our pleasure, running off leash through the surrounding fields of tall grass. Our only regret was missing the extended family including six lovely grandchildren. So often in the past we’ve landed in Chinook on a birthday and have shared in cake and ice cream. This time was no different as it was Judy’s birthday. Unfortunately, she’d gone camping with friends and took her party and cake with her!

Rather than taking our usual route to Sweetgrass, Montana and crossing here into Alberta. We crossed in Wild Horse, MT.

Fields of canola brighten a day made hazy by wildfire smoke.

This church sits in a farmyard, begging the question, which came first?

Signpost at Wild Horse border crossing.

Cowboy silhouettes, not Big Foot, crest the hill as we head to the border

Miles of grassland dotted with cattle abruptly morphed into green hills. Towns with the names Manyberries, Elkwater and Medicine Hat conjured images of a time when native people inhabited this land. 

The suburbs of Calgary seem to grow larger each year. Planned communities in which houses are placed within yards of one another would make it essential to “love thy neighbor “.

The oil rich land from Edmonton to Grand Prairie competes with farmland. Oversized farm equipment being towed down the highway, is passed by heavy oil tankers. We hold steady in our lane, moving along with less urgency.

Tomorrow we’ll start our journey on the Alaska Highway beginning at mile 0 in Dawson Creek, BC and getting off in Tok, AK, 1257 miles.