Day 5

We saw Montana. We saw an Antelope play. We saw fallow fields, untended fences, and house upon house in squalid disrepair surrounded by generations of dead and rusting vehicles – right up to their front door. The clouds were dark and low when we departed at 7:50. It began to rain and the temperature dropped to 46. Our gloves failed and we road for 200 miles in the cold and wet. The rest of the gear held, mostly.

We stopped in a small byway for gas and there was a sign suggesting you count to 20 if the gas pumps slowly. I tried it but the pump speed was the same. I felt calmer though and praised the proprietress on her ingenuity and creativity. A little Zen goes a long way!!

In Shelby, we bought fleece lined polyurethane covered blue gloves. Where my expensive Joe Rocket “water proof” gloves failed to keep me dry or warm, these blue $12 darlings did the trick.

We crossed into Canada and instantly the look of health had returned, despite the weather. The fields were tended, the fences were repaired, farms were neat and painted. Admittedly, I saw two shanties surrounded with “Maine” lawn art. But, by and large, the Provence of Alberta looks tidy and prosperous. 80 miles from the border, the mountains to the west were snow covered. It should not be there. But, it's cold. Unusually cold. And, it's wet. Unusually wet.

60 miles later we saw in the distance huge fields of 350 acres covered on plastic. This seemed a major expense to prevent weeds, or birds from eating the seed or for whatever purpose was intended. But, when there is wealth, it is often worth extra investment to get the advantage. As we drew along side the fields we noticed it was not plastic but SNOW! Right down to the highway and a few inches thick!

Tomorrows weather calls for a low of below freezing and a high of about 39.

The good news? Bruce was right. There are no bugs!