Stick figure Cholla
I had a slightly longer drive to my next destination, as I wanted to avoid the Las Vegas area for boondocking entirely. I had scouted out a road and trailhead east of Searchlight, Nevada with the googles aerial. It had some promising looking spots on BLM land. But I did not expect the forest I encountered upon arriving there. I certainly didn’t mind this surprise! Continue reading
My week in Mesquite ended up being more interesting than I expected, like finding the old Route 91. OK, that was interesting to *me*, being a bit of a map and transportation nerd, but hopefully those of you who read my previous entry didn’t fall asleep because I found out more stuff in my continued research! Plus there are some motorcycle adventures if you read past my old road obsession!
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At the old Riverside Gas stop
As I was now far enough south to be out of the cold and snow, I was not motivated to travel long distances to get to warmer climes. So today I had the luxury of only an hour and a bit drive to my next destination, west of Mesquite, Nevada. Good thing too, as I had to dump my tanks and get groceries. I hoped to be done by lunch so I had lots of time to explore around for my next spot. Continue reading
I left my abandoned campground, expecting that as I headed further south there would be less snow and warmer weather. That was not true, the weather stayed about the same temperature, and the snow cover got heavier as I approached Salt Lake City. How far south would I have to go to get out of the snow? But first, a stop to get a USA cell phone in Brigham City. Continue reading
I awake at 5am in the dark. Might as well check the weather forecast and see how much snow is coming. The forecast has become much more bleak, in fact there is a snowfall warning out now. I lay in bed for a few minutes contemplating my options. Plan A was to move a short distance to a spot I could get out of driving downhill all the way back to pavement. Plan B was to hightail it to the USA. I think about having to be back in Canada in late March if I leave today, but then I make up my mind. I’m going to take a page from Lazarus Long – do what I need to do to survive today, and figure out the rest when it comes. Plan B, implement! Continue reading
I left Calgary for the last time this year, heading south to visit friends, then onto an area in south east British Columbia I had been to before, Edwards Lake. I hoped to stay there for a couple of weeks delaying my entry into the United States long enough so I would not have to come back into Canada next year until closer to mid-April. I knew the weather was deteriorating rapidly – cold and snow were in the forecast everywhere. But would my spot be enough of a haven to stay in Canada a couple more weeks?
Red Deer River sunset
Having hopefully fixed my furnace, I headed out into the Rocky Mountain Foothills again, this time to Ya Ha Tinda. I had been here many years ago camping, but had never really explored the area. Back then, camping was more drinking and way less exploring. This time I was on my own – I would explore as much as I could, on foot, and by motorcycle. I was curious to see what changes had happened – turns out a lot has changed in a quarter century.
Fall colors were hanging on late this year
I was finally free to do as I pleased for the rest of my time in Alberta. Now, only the weather would dictate when I left the area. My plan was to spend some time in the Rocky Mountain foothills of Alberta. The weather was holding in a nice dry and warm pattern for the beginning of October. I might as well take advantage of it and camp near the mountains while I still could. My first week was planned for the North Ghost area I had scouted out previously. Following that, I would make a visit to Didsbury for resupply and a friend visit, then hopefully head out to Ya Ha Tinda and explore around there a bit.
I was back in Calgary after my trip north. My dental round two and Grom order, round two awaited. My car had to be sold. But there were delays as per the norm it seems these days. I had some time to play Calgary tourist in my hometown, at least the time I had was too short to make an trip out. Adventures in my old stomp’n grounds awaited.
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Now that I have both of my new toys in hand, it was time for my first trip where I could use both of them. I was going to Lac la Biche where I could use the folding kayak on the lake, and the Grom motorcycle on the quiet country backroads. This was a perfect end of summer trip over the last long summer weekend in Canada!
