SUMMER TRIP TO EDMONTON AB V

 “…it’s about the journey, not the destination….”

        When I left on the trip I had only taken 3 cigars and 1/2 a fifth of Irish Whiskey. I know I couldn’t take them into Canada and would have to stop at the duty free store. I rode from Minot to Portal ND where I would cross the border. When I arrived at the border I entered the store. You don’t have a great selection, but generally they cover all the bases. I prefer Bushmill’s Irish Whiskey, but had to settle for Jameson’s. The cigar selection was small but managed to get a 10 pack. I would only be in Canada a few days so this would do me.

        Okay….so….I made a slight miscalculation….it was almost 100 miles to the border and I was sooooo focused on whiskey and cigars I did not top off the gas tank on the bike at the border before I crossed into Canada….AND towns were few between and I discovered that I could go 184 miles on a tank…riding with the fuel light on for the last 30 miles or so. Stupid! 

Taking a break, with a full tank of gas, at Weyburn SK.

        I did finally find gas around 10am in a small town along the way and, since this was a 400 mile day, I decided to take a break in a park in this small town. After about 45 minutes of reading, having a cigar, and allowing my nerves to settle I got back on the road. The population of Canada is 10% of ours, and it is the second largest nation geographically on earth. This means LOTS of wide open spaces, and good distances between towns. You’ve got to pay attention. 

An afternoon break.

        From there on the day went smoothly. Take bike was performing flawlessly and by this point I had settled in to the trip. When you go on these trips it takes a few days to settle in. Usually by day 3 or 4 the seat begins to feel very comfortable and the routine of riding 3 or 4 hundred miles a day seems easy. You are no longer in a hurry to get 600 miles in. There is time to stop mid-morning for a break and lunch doesn’t feel rushed. 

         By about 5:30 I got into Saskatoon and found my motel. There was a restaurant right at the motel so after an easy dinner I returned to my room to watch a movie and rest up for tomorrow’s ride.

The wide open spaces of Sasketchewan. Notice all the traffic.