23 JUL 2010

Today was primarily a driving day as we left Calgary heading for Saskatoon. We had a really great visit with Kelsey and Serge and look forward to visiting with them again in the future. Happy belated birthday Kelsey.

So we packed, climb in the car and set the GPS for Drumheller but we learned quickly that the GPS does not have the ability to put in the actual address of the Royal Tyrrell Musem so we just picked an address in Drumheller. Then when we got to Drumheller we forgot and followed the verbal cues to someone’s house. Of course we did not knock on the door but it was funny how we are so easily cued by technology. We had to revert to following the road side postings to locate the musem...can you imagine that?

The museum is really impressive if you have never been there. We spent 2 hours walking around looking at bones and reading projections about history.

Wes had never been there so this was all new to him. I have been there years ago. We did not have time to do any of the other attractions offered since I believe you could spend a couple of days doing everything offered. Two hours was enough for me.

We did look around at Drumheller and marvel at how the town is in a ‘ravine’. Basically flat plains on both sides and then drop down into this trench. I am sure there is a proper name but it escapes me now. We spent some time just wondering how this whole area was carved out leaving mounds of hills , trenches, and shapes such as it is. The power of nature is incredible and the results of the creativity of nature erosion is hard to understand but can easily be enjoyed.

As we left the museum, Wes was driving and turned right. My response was no, we should turn left (do we sound married or what?). We decided to let the GPS settle the discussion. It said turn right so we went that way. I learned that I am smarter than both the GPS and Wes in this one small situation. Yes turning right did work, but it required that we wander around through a series of gravel back roads to get back on Hwy 9. If we had turned left we would have stayed on pavement and gone back to town and turned there on Hwy 9. So both right, but I was really the right one (shhhh don’t tell Wes I said so)

We hit a section of Hwy 9 that is being redone and all MUD MUD MUD, did I mention the mud? Our car is really muddy now and so I guess a trip to a car wash is needed. If you have ever driven on prairie mud you will realize how slippery it can be so Wes’ driving skills were tested and he passed with flying colors.

As we drove we noticed that there was a small deer running in the ditch beside the road, except we realized it really was an pronghorn antelope. This was so cool, but unfortunately it did not stand and wait for me to dig out my camera. If it had been more cooperative I would have shared a picture with you.  But thanks to the internet I can share at least a picture of one for the blog.

As we drove we realized that there are no trees here on the prairies? So where to stop for a quick bathroom break one has to wonder. We figured out that Timmie’s was a good option and of course once emptied time to refill sooooo....yep coffee for me and Coke Zero for Wes. Guaranteed to help us search out the next Timmie’s.

Lewis, being helpful, sent us a text to let us know the best route in town to avoid current road maintenance. This meant that as I was driving Wes and Lewis were texting on the BlackBerry steady with “We just passed 3rd Ave” and getting “one more block then left” etc ... until Wes could say “we are here”. Texting is free between us which is good. I was quietly just driving since I have been here before and knew the route Lewis suggested.

It is great to be here for a couple of days to relax and visit before we head further east.