July 10th: I started from west EDMONTON, Alberta, having previously done the Edmonton (North Saskatchewan) River Trail first which is paved, hilly, wooded and has several bridges. I left my brother's house early morning and cycled city streets to the east end of Edmonton on the north side of the river - my 1st big mistake as the TCT part starts across the bridge on the south side.
There is nortoriosly poor signage for the TransCanadaTrail.
At FORT SASK., I stayed in a motel. Even the R.C.M.P. detachment had no idea where the TransCanadaTrail was or that it went through their city. (It is on the north side of the N. Sask. River when is leaves to go east).
July 11th: The 2nd night, I set my tent up in the rain in desperation on a farmer's lane, east of REDWATER (north of Edmonton). People in coffee shop said trail must be along the river but I had wandered inland. No TCT signs.
July 12th: Waskatenau is the beginning of the Iron Horse Trail, shared by TCT. Really rough. People said too rough for a bicycle. I tried and got to Warspite on the trail. They were right. Soft, stony trail that the bike bogged down on. Had to get off & push it in many places. Back to roads/highway. Stayed in SMOKY LAKE, Pumpkin Capital of Alberta, for 3 days, Jy. 12, 13, 14. Wonderful town and where I learned that almost every small town has a campground. Met Milt and Darlene McCrae and went through their 'stone castle'.
Jy. 15th: Back into big hills. Highway. Trail same. Vilna. Rode on to BONNIE LAKE and stayed 2 nights because of hail/torrenial rain storm just as I was ready to pack up on the 16th. TCT trail map from Ron melted because of that beastly storm.
Jy. 17th: Was able to ride 1 mile on the trail back to Vilna for groceries. Bellis where man helped me fix the gears on the bike. Speddon. Ashmount. Trail too soft. ST. PAUL.
Jy. 18th: Stayed over in ST. PAUL because of rain.
Jy. 19th: Left late, and in rain. Rode in cold rain and hills 1/2 mile high to ELK POINT. Pitched tent in long grass behind a motel for $15.
Jy. 20th: Road to Lindberg where I stopped to dry tent and clothes. Joel cycled in and chatted for 3 hours. Lovely. On to WHITNEY LAKE, where I meet Lainie, and her injured husband (waterski accident), and their 3 beautiful little daughters. Am only one in park who stays over.
Jy. 21st: Meet Betty Tracy (originally from Finch, ON near Brockville) & Bill, her equal half, who fixed my kickstand at their restaurant on way to HEINSBURG.
Jy. 22nd: Meet Jackie who cycles up beside me for a few miles. Tulliby Lake. Onion Lake where Sam sits beside me at the gas stn. for an hour, and where I also meet Pocahontas. On to Claus Young's farm, CROOKED CREEK RANCH, where he gives me permission to stay over by pitching my tent out behind.
Jy. 23rd: Frenchman's Butte where I meet a wonderful group of people at the log chalet tearoom run by local volunteers at the museum - unforgettable, not to forget the couple who I met 5 miles back who told me about it and were yesterday's volunteers. Stayed 2 hours. The hill before Paradise Hill, SK, so steep I even had to walk down it, and then up again...maybe 2 miles in all walking. Huge!!! Found good trail with TCT sign which is the first TCT sign I've seen. Got into muddy clay at bottom of valley and had to walk bike after scraping the clay off the wheels somewhat using a rock that I found. Found road back to highway 3 miles along. ST. WALBURG.
Jy. 24th: Walter, tree removal fellow came over to chat for a couple of hours. Left late. TURTLEFORD. Only one in park overnight except 15 year old native girl who chatted for a few minutes and left on a kid's bike. Coyotes screaming nearby that night.
Jy. 25th: Mervin - Bumbleberry's Tearoom where I met Jeff and Tam Courtice. They hooked up hose for me to wash clay off bike. Used library computer thanks to Laura, municipal office, who also invited me to have tea at Bumbleberry's at 3 pm - bumbleberry/strawberry pie homemade by Tam. When I went to pay, Laura already had. Wonderful group - Marianne Little, Lois with the grizzly bear t-shirt, Ed, Linda, Brandon, and those whose names I have shamefully forgotten but not the experience and never the village which I adore. Vaun. MEOTA.
Jy. 26th: Stayed over at MEOTA BEACH on Jackfish Lake. Swam. Rested. Fought another evening storm.
Jy. 27th: NORTH BATTLEFORD where I met Mandy and her 3 month old son, Lucamus. Invited to camp in her back yard and given breakfast, and treats to take with me. Mandy gives me a painting she did of the Goddess.
Jy. 28th: Denholm, Ruddell, Maymont, Fielding, Radisson, Borden, and LANGHAM where Dan and Reine from Windsor, ON, invited me into their camper for tea at River Valley RV campground, and tuck me in later with the loan of a quilt.
Jy. 29th: Martensville. Saskatoon. GRASSWOOD.
Jy. 30th: Dundurn. Stop at Friend's Cafe & meet Marg and Lyn. BLACKSTRAP PROV. PARK.
Jy. 31st: BLACKSTRAP PARK where I meet Sue, Michele, and Vern and am invited to supper and given marvelous hugs goodbye later.
Aug. 1st: Indi Lake and a 4 mile hike uphill. Hanley where I am told Outlook is 50 km. back west where the TCT then goes south to Moose Jaw. I decide that's enough of the TCT trail. The highway I'm on is the Louis Riel Trail so I stick to that. KENASTON where I am invited out for a whisky by a young man.
Aug. 2nd: Bladworth. Davidson. Craik where man offers his lawn for camping. BETHUNE where 2 teens suggest I set tent up at the ball diamond.
Aug. 3rd. Lumsden where I finally come across a TCT sign. Follow trail along the beautiful river valley until it ends with a barrier and no sign 1 mile hence. REGINA. 10 miles east of Regina I rent a motel room and learn about the murder on the Greyhound bus.
Aug. 4th: Wolesley. GRENFELL where I was invited into the exquisite motorhome of Eiler and Manon for herbal tea. Eiler gives me 2 blank photograph cards he made.
Aug. 5th: MOOSIMIN near the MB border. Park is 3 km. back. Get got in rain.
Aug. 6th: Cross border. Elkhorn where antique car museum is. VIRDEN. CPR trains run and blow horns all night long. Virden Lion's campground.
Aug. 7th: Oak Lake. No longer are the sides of the TransCanada highway paved. Just loose stones and gravel. BRANDON where, again, I stay in a motel - Redwood Inn.
Aug. 8th: No more cycling. I'm given a ride to GLENBORO GLEN in the truck of Piet and Lorelie where I stay for 3 days.
Souris where I walk a suspension bridge.
Wawanesa where 2 farmers started an insurance company and where we have lunch at a tearoom.
Stockton where one puts their vehicle on a free cable ferry.
Glenboro farmer's market.
Wendy's Bday BBQ party in Glenboro for her friend, Shirley, who is also 65, only 6 months later than me.
The Crikkle/Vine picnic where I meet Shirley and Stephanie Christianson.
Glenboro Glen Bocce game where I meet Caitlyn and Graham, originally from South Africa.
A ride into Winnipeg with the 3 of us lunching in the revolving restaurant.
A night at the Fort Garry.
A VIA ride through the Ontario northland to Toronto.
A 2 AM taxi/bus to Belleville.
A 3 AM car ride home to Wellington .
I get home Aug. 13th - 2 months to the day from June 13th which is the day I retired.
2 comments:
I still can't believe you did this!
Traveling on someone else’s dime is what Karen does best she’s a liar and a cheat will use anyone for personal gain!!!!!!!
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