Will do Bob, I'm enjoying recalling the trip(s) & laying it out here.
Fri Aug. 26 2011
Winnipeg, Man. to Good Spirit Campground, Sask. 1W to 16W-Yellowhead, 47N to Good Spirit 564km
Good Spirit, kinda fitting after this day....
Spent the morning in downtown Winnipeg, downing coffee, watching the city come alive, and hitting a greasy spoon for breakfast. Freshened up back at the hostel, chatting w/ the two guys in town for the wedding, they were really interested in the trip, both recently moving to Canada from Nigeria and realizing for themselves just how big this country is.
I gassed up before leaving Winnipeg and decided to take the Yellowhead #16 since I wanted to go through Edmonton/Jasper/Banff/Vancouver.
Beautiful day, clear sky, got on the Yellowhead at Portage la Prarie. Heading North, I approached the only corner in the Praires

and there was a semi from the opposite direction, in my lane, heading right at me. I was doing about 120km, he was alot faster and just did'nt seem to realize he was going really fast, around his bend, in the wrong lane.
I honked, I waved at him to move over, I geared down, I went as far right in my lane as I could without hitting the gravel shoulder giving way to the ditch. Which at the time seemed like a pretty good option, you know the ditch, rather than the truck. I held my ground skimming the edge of the road, hoping for a good reaction from him, instead of bailing. He jerked it over at the last second, no joke, his front grill whizzing by inches from my shoulder. If he had a trailer on his rig, I would not be writing this.
This kinda shook things up for the day. I rode for another half hour. I watched him after we passed, he did'nt even slow down, let alone stop. It's funny, I slowed way down, seeing if he would. If he stopped I would have rode over, just to see if he was as scared @#%*less as I was.
That bend was at Macdonald, I pulled over at Neepawa to gas up and get myself together. I've had alot of close calls, we all have. This one was the closest yet. It did happen that fast, and it was "like a movie".
The roads in Saskatchewan were a welcome releif, no one around, and not much to look at. Everyone always says riding or driving through the Praires is boring, it does have it's charms.
Set up camp, had a couple cold ones staring into the fire wondering what if....
Sat. Aug. 27 2011
Good Spirit Campground, Sask. to Maidstone, Sask. #16W 596km
Hoped to make it to Vermillion, Alta. but came up short .
Left the camp at 9:30am, the sun and heat were getting the best of me later in the day. I pulled in to what I thought was a rest area, it turned out to be a campground, based on the honour system. $10 a night w/ envelopes provided for the $ and a slot to slip it into. I could'nt pass it up, so I rode into Lashburn for some dinner and supplies. Came back and set up where the sun would rise on the site.
Threw on the shorts & sandals right away and got settled.
Waved at a couple just pulling up, they were checking out the firewood situation. The campground offered some, but it was slim pickens. They had some of their own and just gave it to me, kindling, newspapers and firewood. They said they were going into town anyway and would pick up some more & made sure I had dinner. They returned and again made sure I was'nt hungry and invited me to their spot. Had a great night w/ Kevin & Kira from Lloydminister 'round the fire, as we were the only folks camping that night. Turned out I was'nt too far off from nailing Kevins accent/dialect. All this Saskatchewan hospitality hails from Springdale, NFLND. I narrowed it down to NFLND. He was going home for a visit in the Spring, had'nt been there for a while.
Halfway Park Campground on #16 Yellowhead at Maidstone, Sask.
Sun. Aug 28 2011
Maidstone, Sask. to Jasper, Alta. 16W, 692km
Packed up and left at 9:30am. Went back into Lashburn for some breakfast at the same place I had dinner the night before, but I was there 1/2 hour before they opened, he recognized me & knew I was camping & let me in and made me some eggs n bacon. Really nice of him, did'nt have to do that. Another example of good fortune on the road.
Caught my first glimpse of the Rockies just past Edson, Alta.
And it just got better. I chose a hostel at Edith Cavell Mt. The road up there was awesome, off of 93A. When I arrived at the hostel I joked w/ the staff sitting out front that I'd be right back, I wanna do that again!
After two days of camping without a shower, I was ready for one. Turned out there's no electricity or running water here, ah well.
Did'nt matter, the spot is just as good as the ride in, great night around the fire.
www.photobucket.com/west-2