Greyhound Trip : Toronto, ON to Calgary, AB - August 2005
General Information
When I was growing up, I used to travel from Calgary to Ontario return with my family go visit the extended family. We would drive 3 days (Calgary to Winnipeg, through the states, and up through southern Ontario) or 4 days (through Canada) with pit stops in the evening to check into a motel (with pets) for the night. I haven't seen the country side in ages in my books (planes just don't cut it), so I thought I might see about taking the bus across Canada.
Trip Logistics
Greyhound Ticket: acquired a week in advance, as it's cheaper that way. $170.13.
Just before leaving Toronto, I picked up a journal with which to keep track of the goings ons for my travels (through the greyhound trip, and then later in Costa Rica). The descriptions below are the transcribed entries of that journal.
Trip Details
12:11 August 9, 2005
I'm sitting on a greyhound bus at the Bay & Dundas bus terminal in Toronto. Collection of tickets stating Toronto to Sudbury, Sudbury to Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay to Winnipeg, Winnipeg to Regina, Regina to Calgary. A Greyhound personnel has just taken the Toronto to Sudbury ticket. Aunt Helen dropped me off an hour early (the bus is due to leave at 12:30), primarily because I lied and said teh bus leaves at noon, figuring there would be a line up. Already at 11:30am, when we arrived, there was one. Small, but there. One family in the line included an elderly east Indian woman so shurnk with osteoporosis, or back disfiguration. She looked kindly and reminded me of Straga? Stella? (mom correction: Strega) Nona - a Polish (mom correction: Italian) character in a children's book.
I've taken over one seat and so far don't have to share. I originally throught the back seat-of-three would be great, especially for sleeping, but decided the smell of the washroom may become really awful over the three days. The seat in front of me has only just been taken, but some others still seem empty, so hopefully I won't have to share.
Said goodbye to Grannie & Granddad at Wychwood. I feel I'm selfish, but I'm still lookingforward to finally getting out of the house. I was never sure how to talk to Granddad as he became bed ridden (although still able to travel to the adjacent washroom and TV room). Dad, Aunt Helen, Grannie and likely the rest of the family members figures he won't last the month. For the last 2 months, since he first went to the hospital on July 1, I've been worried/anxious/?wondering? if he would die - I'd be particularly concerned just before getting "home" after work, and would each time make a conscious survey and evaluation of the cars in the driveway: was Grannie (Honda + Subaru) in? was Aunt Helen visiting (extra Honda)? was Uncle David or Uncle Michael visiting (mini van)?
Bus is pulling out - bus driver just told someone he "has 20 seats" which I presume to mean 20 people on the bus. In other words, I can stretch out on my 2 connected seats. Two women behind me travelling to Calgary: I think they're friends. An east Indian family (mother, daughter?, elderly father) are in the seats across from me, with the father having the extra seats - pillows carried by all. I've brought my sleeping bag on board for the nights. Twenty-something fellow (built, but not too good looking in my books, although others would likely disagree) in the seat in front of me. Sunny with some clouds. We're going north through downtown Toronto which seems odd as I'm used to the westward heading towards Kitchener.
14:13Just entered Barrie. We took some slow-ish moving single lane road - that passed through Cookstown - rather than the 400. No idea why, although the tows on the route may have been stops which no one left or got on at. There was a pick up point in Toronto after Bay & Dundas which had the bus fill further. I'm now sharing a seat with stereotypical "sweet old lady". She's only going as far as Sudbury, but according to the bus driver, that's still a ways away - the expected arrival time in Sudbury is 5:30pm. Apparently we're to have a stop there for 1.5h, so I'll get dinner and wander about. Oh goodness, we've turned onto "County Rd 27" and it's a single lane packed with cars - I think its the standard construction driving season. This too shall pass.
Saw two lovely horses at the bottom of a grassy dried up marsh/mini valley. One was chestnut coloured, and the other a darker brown. Somewhat wheat fields, and corn fields. One farmer on a tractor with a flat bed had a bunch of bales of hay he was bringing in from the field: two bales high, 2 - 3 wide, 5 - 7 in length, plus one held by the tractor's front loader. Farming would become very different in North America without gasoline.
The two women behind me slip in and out of periods of chatter. They made some bisbaraging comments as we passed through a small town about their store names being unoriginal - at one intersection was "The Corner Store" and across the street was "The General Store". Mental response was really in a town that small - or even in a large town - what does it matter? Why must life or the names therein be original? Why the push to be different or stick out or be radical? It's not as through they themselves are very original: still wearing shoes, a shirt and pants they both are.
Bus driver has a substitute, and did a quick swap for a washroom break. We've left Barrie and are moving well once again on some random single lane highway. Finished reading the "People" magazine which Aunt Helen got me for the trip. It's exactly the sort of paparazii-paying magzine, wherein famous persons are photographed in their private lives by "news media"/paparazzi/stalkers. That would be so annoying/bothersome. None of the articles were really interesting, but it was colourful. Aunt Helen, who is on - just started - her two week holiday from work, picked up some holiday reading books for herself, Grannia dn Granddad. Additionally, which was really nice of her, and completely unexpected, she picked up 3 magazines (People, Wired (ie. techie, wired.com), and Shameless ("for girls who do it" which I don't really qualify for, but it may be a fun read)) - more traffic stopped, another trip to the washroom for the bus driver (I think he's trying to fix the handle?) - a book of Canadian short stories ("Prairie Dog(s?)") and a CD of Orson Wells' radio adaptation of "War of the Worlds" which caused panic to a number of radio listeners one Halloween in the 1930's. All of these were/are for the long bus ride ahead. Single lane highway with construction. Joy. Although I suppose construction is inevitable when driving during the non-winter months. It makes writing easier when the bus doesn't move, but that's not really a good thing for the bus to be stationary. Anyways, really nice of Aunt Helen. I'd had an unsuccessful attempt last night at the Loblaws' grocery store to find good reading/entertaining material - I did find a good puzzle book. This journal was only picked up this morning before leaving when I remembered the stationary store at St. Clair and Bathurst. Picked up some Toronto postcards - one for Mary, one for Gran & georgie - as well. So it was really great that Aunt Helen got me the reading material.
On 26 going east thrat states "Barrie 13km". Either we're going back to Barrie, or the road splits north/south with Barrie south, and us north. I still say Ontario's "north" is more of a north-west. At least in central/south Ontario. Still have to use the washroom. Should've gone before I left. :P
14:58The washroom lock is broekn, and has been taken off by the bus driver. The guy in the backseat is in charge of handling "security" including tracking if someone is inside, and stop people from peeking in. Ah fun.
15:46They appear to be adding a double lane (the south-bound half) to the stretch of the 400 south of Parry Sound. It's strange because I thought the double lane divided didn't get lost until Sudbury or Thunder Bay. Perhaps there are stretches that aren't.
Apparently the back roads were part of a detour and normally the bus takes the 400 according to "sweet old lady" who's beside me. She didn't bring anything to occupy her mind so I wonder if she thought we'd chat all trip. Chatted a bit. Oh, and just as we were about to access the 400 from our detour a whole slew of pylons blocked the on ramp. Eventually got to the 400 after passing an accident with ambulance, police, fire trucks and gawking neighbours in the middle of nowhere. The double lane divided seems to have returned. Apparently Parry Sound is a halfway point between Toronto and Sudbury, at which point people can step out for a washroom/snack/stretch break. Road, trees, rocks, and the occassional glimpse of a body of water. Paving all this initially must've been a nightmare. It's a wonder that humanity has spanned as much of the globe as it has. I guess for survival the adventurous and inquisitive instinct has/had just become necessary. It's kinda fun that way - life that is. Granddad has likely been moved to the hospital by now. Unlikely I'll call Grannie tonight through I will call mom. Granddad was asking how to spell his grandchildren's names last night, and I over heard Grannie go so far as to call Uncle Michael and ask there too (particularly their middle names). I wonder if he's updating his will - Marjorie next door was being called to act as a witness for something. I recall sometime end of July Grannie had spent an afternoon at a cemetary arranging things for the two of them. Erika Leu was cremated and had her ashes spread in a tree grove in I think Mt. Pleasant in Toronto. There should be a plaque with her name on it somewhere there. Gran, I think, has had the arrangements and will for her and Georgie's eventual deaths essentially finailized for several years now - possibly since she was 70? She turned 80 this past December, so 10 years sounds right. Break chat with S.O.L. Parry Sound arrival.
17:38Rain
18:09Thunder and lightening and rain and fast moving bus, oh my!
Just entered Sudbury. If we were supposed to arrive in Sudbury at 17:30 and leave at 19:00, I hope we still leave at 19:00 when we finally stop at the Greyhound drop off.
Been reading the "shameless" magazine, which appears to be a feminist magazine, which also discusses sexuality discrimination (eg. gay, lesbian, bi). Actually it discusses a number of things, but the recurring theme relates to pro-women (not really equal weomen, although there isn't male bashing) or pro-gay/lesbian/bi. Which is fine. Seems sort of geared towards teenage women. Neat article on 5 women in the comic industry. Half way through the magazine. I think the fellow in front of me is in his early 30s, not late 20s.
When the rain started, the bus driver joked how "it's the most wonderful day
Leaving our stop in Sudbury. 15 minute walk and 45 minute wait due to miscommunication. Couple of photos in Parry Sound, couple in Sudbury. Called home & got the answering machine. The bus has a movie "High Crimes" with Ashley Judd which I haven't seen. Getting back to it... (Sault Ste Marie at midnight with a break at 21:45).
21:48Sault Ste. Marie. The bus has arrived and is taking a 10 minute break. Most people are getting out to cross the street to Time Hortons, but I think I'll break out the sleeping bag. Might find out if we have to get off the bus at Thunder Bay (presumably the driver switch point) or whether I can swap to PJs.
Movie's just about over. Bad husband. Who actually even bothers trusting someone from the military any more. Train whistle. Cargo-filled train going by. Rumble of the wheels on the tracks. I recall way back when one time Georgie was visiting, and he commented on the trains going by, and how wasn't it nice to hear it, but I never really noticed. Perhaps it was someone else visiting given Georgie's hearing loss. Then again, it was some time ago. Should one trust anyone? What if they claim to be in the secret service? Is that almost even more reason not to trust them? Would the military be a fun/good life? It doesn't really have a good reputation, and it's job is "to kill people" theoretically (according to the defense minister). Somehow I think "to protect people" sounds much better, and easier to agree with in this, or really any age. If you want to attack someone, you're dissatisfied with your current siutation, and is it really all that bad that you have to kill people to remedy it? There are alternatives in life.
The women behind me changed into PJs in the Tim Hortons. Inspires me to bother myself perhaps. Finish the movie first though. The 10 minutes is almost up. And we're on our way again.
22:19I'm too lazy to turn the light on. I've taken down my sleeping bag, converted into comfy PJs, and hopefully will get some rest (bra still on, stretching myself out over the two seats - gosh help me if we pick up a lot of people in Thunder Bay. I will be able to use my map at that point which spans central and western Canadian provinces). The last 3 minutes of the movie has not been played, but we get the idea on how it ends.
There were some outlines of shooting stars - Christmas light style - on the lamp posts on the way out of Sault Ste. Marie
23:40Apparently I lie. Are now in St. Marie (just saw a taxi go bye that stated such). No idea where we previously stopped. Also sounds like we might hit Edmonton before Calgary - I hope the driver mentioned it only as a connection in Calgary. Have tried some dozen sleeping positions, and they all suck. Elder Indian father is taking his medication. Reminds me I have to start malaria stuff sometime - soonish maybe. By the 12th (one week before) for sure. I'm so used to stretching out to full length at night - none of this crunched up stuff.
02:26 August 9 (correction: 10), 2005Wawa pit stop. Someone decided to sit beside me at Sult Ste. Marie, so I'm unlikely to sleep. Bus driver figures Thunder Bay by 8:30am so I hope he leaves then, and I can try to stretch out and sleep. (5 minutes later & with no light- we're off again). Damn smoker fellow reeks from his smoking break, and is apparently staying on until Winnipeg. As stated, grr arg dam. Hopefully a seat will free up.
There's another greyhound bus that's almost been moving in tandem with us. #1020 - it left Sudbury before us, arrived at the Sault before us, but we got into Wawa before it. This bus is #1165. I've always liked the fact that the greyhound buses tend to have Albertan license plates, as they're - according to the signs painted on them - owned and operated out of Calgary. Interestingly, WestJet also started out of Calgary and is doing OK. For all the transportation purshes, and "initiatives" from Ontario, it's Alberta that actually tries to connect the country together (yes, there's Air Canada, and VIA, but both are expensive & not really feasible).
Back to no sleep/watching the road/sitting with eyes shut (dry, tired, sore...)
03?4?:47Driver swap in the middle of who knows where. Continental Motel. I think I slept!!! Too bad we stopped and I woke up :P
05:42Just driving through Terrace Bay. Wounldn't mind getting out the map to see if it's on there/how far from Thunder Bay it is.
Have been conscious since at least 5 - no light, but the dawn is tryign to break: I can tell because the sky is a light gray, almost blue instead of black with stars (and cloud cover). Some pink in the east.
Fascinating it was around 5 when driving by the grayscale colouring from the head lights seeing gray small lakes reflecting black trees in the water. Also seeing grascale trees and raocks out my window while looking ahead gets more colour, especially with passing signs. Tis neat to be up and able to watch the sun rise, though I'll be tired all day. Shear rock face on the side of the single lanes. Passing lanes every so often. Damn person in fron tbale to stretch his legs along/up the window. Shell refinery. I think Terrace Bay is really close tu Thunder Bay, but I'm not sure.
Lots of foggy patches in the night. Random pit stop - likely for the driver. Terrace Bay is the frutherst city east on the map on the TransCanada. The time from Thunder Bay to Winnipeg (distance really) is about 4x that from Terrace Bay to Thunder Bay. Damn smokers taking smokers break. I'll change around 8. Chrimstas lights on the motel across the stree. Once we get past Thunder Bay, the TransCanada stops following the lakeshore (ie. decreased water sightings) and goes into the interior of Ontario more. I'll known we've entered Manitoba when the double-lane divided returns. :)
Why is it that when the sun comes up, it brings colour to the world?
Not many cars on the road the past few hours, so the going has been good. Map says 200km to Thunder Bay. A number (4 or 5) pick up trucks randomly driving by as the pit stop comes to an end.
Two women behind me have discovered the 6am everything's funny time, and other conversations on the bus are startin gup. The rock faces have a brown tinge, and I can see th elines in this book again. :)
07:21A francophone from Quebec has been telling her life story to someon random sitting partner fairly loudly for the last hour and a half, to the disappointment of the rest of the bus which would rather have quiet - myself included, but at least I'm able to ignore/phase it out - figure I slept an hour since 6 when I wrote last.
The sun is up, and we are leaving Nipigon after picking up 2-3 more passengers. Cars have stopped and we're back in construction. Brilliant blue clear sky, with the clouds from yesterday's rain far behind.
09:43Absolutely no (well, little) eye-hand coordination this morning. Both straw and muffin ended up landing on my neighbour. Still not quite sure how. The bus has taken a one-hour break at the Thunder Bay terminal, and I've picked up some milk and a muffin for breakfast, plus apple juice and water for later. Next pit stop - before Winnipeg in 8 to 9 hours - is Kenora.
A very tired, but I changed out of PJs, put my sleeping bag away, and went for a walk in the area. As we were driving in, we passed some nice waterfront greenspace and parks, but as we travelled more - closer to the greyhound - it became more industrial. Looks like they're trying to add big-box stores (eg. Zellers, Chapters, a Galaxy) to the area - even saw a ferris wheel in the parking lot of the Galaxy cinemas. Driver have changed again. That's 3 or 4 now.
My walk took me in the direction of the waterfront as I wanted to see if I could reach it anyways. Turned out to be inaccessible a secured/blocked with buildings, trucks, barb wire fencing, and a security gate. Took some photos, mailed the 2 postcards. There was a construction site littered with pick up trucks belonging to the workers. One entertaining image (photo not taken) was a line of 5 parked vehicles: all were pick up trucks except the small bright yellow compact car in the middle. Seemed... amusing. Crossed a bridge spanning a good number of train tracks. Tonnes of Canadian geese and some ducks lolly-gagging on some more over-grown, and presumably infrequently used tracks.
Bus is leaving the terminal
The 30 something in front - who smokes, by the way- has been foreced to move elsewhere in the bus as he doesn't leave his bag behind to mark his seat. The new guy is late 30s with a similar bag to the previous occupant ironically.
Was thinking about how lighting can affect a modelled scene. eg. the greyscale trees at night vs. colour at day time. Wonder if a movie has ever been made wherein the colours reflect the main character's colour blindness. Set watches back an hour. Lunch stop at 1. Kenora at 3:15. Winnipeg at 6(:30?) Break in an hour. According to the announcing driver. Some Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen movie has been put on. *cringe* but likely I'll plug in my headphones.
10:30 (central time)Have put my clock back an hour. 10 minute break in Upsala. According to the map "my gosh were're never going to get there." Th emovie helped. Having my own seat would also help, but that's not an option. Really slow going as the campers and RVs and trucks and construction are out in full force. The movie helps time pass, but it still wasn't very/any good. "New York Minute". Stupid them having to rely on cute guys to rescue them. Tired of sitting. Saw someone a couple of kms back on roller skis. Neat.
13:36If I did this over, I would have packed less in my backpack, and thus make it more accessible. No large texts that I wouldn't read anyways. Shampoo, etc. with luggage. Possibly less snack food. ie. Picked up a burger and shake at the Dryden stop in recgonition of being able to use the washroom facilities. Still waiting for the bus to leave Dryden: got in at 13:00 for a 1/2h break.
Upsala break resulted in a new movie being loaded: "Raising Helen," which I'm sure I've seen, but either this had cut scenes included, or the first time I saw it I wasn't paying attention. Have the soundtrack to "Armageodon" playing - I like it. One of the buds for my headphones has completely deattached. New bus driver. 1020 is still following us.
On the Armageodon (sp?) soundtrack, Aerosmith plays "I don't want too miss a thing." How far of an analytical interpretation would it be to exchange the role of the lover for the role of life iteself? STay happy with life, breath it in, don't miss anything.
New movie. It's gotten fairly overcast. More space between trees, less rocks. Still some water. We're on the move, and behind due to the notorious loud-speaking francophone taking her time/being last at the lineup. Hunched old woman from the station in Toronto is on the bus - further back - I noticed when going back to change. Survey says "Shark Tales" - awesome! I haven't seen it.
17:15I can tell we've entered Manitoba: the highway is double-laned and divided. Surprisingly its also fairly straight, and without hills. Perhaps because the rock faces doen't exist that would otherwise require blasting. Also, the directly tree population isn't as dense, nor as tall. Oh, and it was nice being up high on a bus which gives the ability to see better over the trees.
Pit stop in Kenora around 15:30. Spiderman 2's been playhing since then (Kenora has some nice lakes and use of land).
A splattering of clouds, but the majority is blue sky. Flat prairie! Looks so nice to see forever. Have been listening to the soundtrack from "The 5th Element" and read through most of the Wired magazine. It included the piece I read online about military bloggers. Want to find an internet cafe and some postcards in Winnipeg. Sun shining brightly. I still figure it would be further enjoyable to do this in a car more leisurely: check out backroads, hikes, picnic at picnic benches. Mary Jane (in Spiderman 2) is about to be hit by a car.
Grain mill! Trees outlining fields to stop the wind from taking the top soil
I wonder how many will get off at Winnipeg. I worry about how many will get on.
Officially on the TransCanada highway, which actually means something to those west of Ontario. Not sure about those south/east of Quebec, but QC and ON seem provincially self absorbed, and have really no way of defining where it is. One would have to find a map to sort out the details. Still have the CP railroad nearby. Just south. Was just north of most of the drive in Northern Ontario.
17:45Winnipeg. What an improvement a divided higway makes.
19:47New bus (1238). Own seat. Dodgeball is being played, but I'm listening to Evanescence. The two women behind me on the last bus ar enow beside me. A couple others are also on this bus. Some people from 1020 too. There is a second greyound that is en route with us to Calgary, so we're almost travelling in tandem I suspect.
CP Rail. Fields of green, low lying grasses. A car is kicking up dust on a dirt road perpendicular to the TransCanada aways up. Indian family also on the bus. Practically no clouds and what little there is almost blends into the light of the sky. Mini marsh in the space between the divided highway.
Was able to call mom before fully leaving the cell reception of Winnipeg. It's either a 5h wait in Regina and 6PM Calgary arrival, or it's direct and 1PM arrival. I'll call mom at 9am to let her know where we're at, and likely again just before driving into Calgary
Couple of photos. Also grabbed a couple more postcards: one for Toronto grandparents, one for ... Gran & Georgie?
Apparently Winnipeg is a smoke free city with a bus terminal that doesn't recycle.
Next real stops in my books is Brandon, MB, andn Regina, SK at 1:30am.
21:5745 minute break in Brandon. Don't ask me why so long. I do not know. Went out and walked the main drag with my camera. Also dropped off brief postcards to both sets of grandparents. Listening to "Phantom of the Opera." Hopefully *crosses fingers* I won' thave to share the seat this evening. I could go for a 40lbs drop, and a massage, but I'll settle for reading "Prairie fire" and listening to music for a bit. Sun has definitely set. Was duskish whilst I walked "the main drag" and wanted to get a back before it was too dark and to try to keep my seats.
Apparently one of the fellows behind me: this is his 8th day on the bus. I think there was water (ie. a river) just off the main drag, but it was dark and unkown and didn't look nice. Another woman is coming from Fredericton. Bus is supposed to leave in 13 minutes. Kind of want to change, but I'll wait till the bus gets going. Regina - especially at 1:30am - should be not too busy, I hope.
People coming on the bus. Interesting stories from the people behind me about their travel tales. I do hope there's no long wait in Regina
01:46 August 11, 2005Was supposed to be in Regina at 1:30. Methinks there's been some rain to slow us down. No idea where on the TransCanada we are. The upper luggage compartments sound as though they're trying to fall off when we go over even the slightest bump. No trees. I think the darkness is mostly empty sky, since flat land doesn't take much. PJs changed into, sleeping bag out. Not even a dusty-orange coloured haze from city lights in the distance. From my memory of it (the majority of lights would be north of the TransCanada). Some small streets lights and tiny shops suggest random town. Must've gotten some sleep in th elast 4 hours since I started trying to, but not at all comfy - yes, I realize this isn't a 5 star hotel on wheels. :P
1:16Clocks pushed back another hour. We'll get a 15 minute break and a new driver once we get into the station. Should possibly take out garbage and standard use the washroom. Gas 99.9
5:31 Gawd dammit. I've misplaced my blue pen somewhere. I've searched best I can to no avail. I'll try again when the lighting is better.The sun has been trying to come up for a while now (15+ minutes), and the fields are visible with a tinge of colour - greenish, but still working out of greyscale. Much clouds overhead, particularly in the north. Fewer trees than in Manitoba, but the infrequent line still acts as a wind barrier.
Kind of strange driving. I'm sure about 1/2h or so outside of Regina the bus driver just let someone out on the side of the road. Then an hour ago, the bus pulled over to the shoulder and I think transerred a piece of luggage to some car waiting - with its own driver on a side road.
Definitely more sleep than yesterday. Made a pit stop in Swiftcurrent whereby I was able to lie myself on my back, legs resting on the window sill, and head just barely resting on the edge of the bench. Not bad as far as sleeping positions go. Slept 3/2h like that.
The grass is evolving into a more tan wheat colouring, with the dirt on the side of the road looking dusty, implying little rain.
We're supposed to change drivers in Maple River, SK, so I don't think we've left Saskatchewan yet. Some gradual hills, but marginally flatter than No. Ontario and it's hack work around due to rocks. :) All sorts of nice neat bales of hay sitting scattered throughout a wheat field. Looks so nice.
There was another pit stop in some small town just south of the TransCanada. Just passed a sign for Tompkins - the next major intersection is Maple Creek - maybe that's what the driver said/meant. I would love to find a horse and go for a ride exploringthe vast fields. No offense, but I don't think this pen is all too great. I'll get changed at 8am again, into long sleeves. At MedicineHat I'll see about swapping errings and necklaces to show off mom's earrings to her.
6:45Have just passed the "Welcome to Alberta" sign. Looks like rain in the west.
6:53The landscape is cypress hills style: low lying hills that look like they've all got a buzz cut. Some half dozen deer grazing on one. 2 cows sharing 4 bales of hay. 1 horse standing alone in a front yard. Rain. The hills looke like dough that's been kneaded and had one flattening roll by a rolling pin. The rain is very light. CP rails still with us. Dairy ranch with piebald cattle. Interesting: the farmers have not bothered (seemingly) flattening their land, and just plow around it all. I wonder if it would be wise/worth it to introduce Zack and Jackson when Jackson goes out to Hamilton. And the cloud cover leaves, exposing bright blue sky. I"m sure Jackson has friends all over the place, including Ontario, if that's his destination. Iw ould presume. I don't know if he would pick up and move so far if he doesn't already have a unit of supportive friends out there. I think we've just entered Medicine Hat. Big box stores, and large suburb-like communities. Medicine Hat Museum & Art Gallery. Random bike paths. I would think we'll take a pit stop somewhere. No idea where or for how long. Someone's taken a small (lights on in bus) truck and painted the windows almost all black with the Flinstone characters made to appear like they're sitting in the truck. 35 minute break. Alberta license plate. The driver is pointing out the location of the Tim Hortons.
8:36No more Cypress Hills. Plains far and wide establish a horizon of wheat rather than lake. Found my blue pen.
The driver has a very slow, seemingly unfocussed voice. "Big Fish" is playing, but I"m listening to Orson Wells' radio play of H. G. Wells' "War of the Worlds." Not really paying attention though. Should be in Calgary for 11:50. If we didn't make so many pit stops we could likely get there earlier. Grasshopper oil extractors occur infrequently. Got out and ran around downtown Medicine Hat taking photos. Nice murals. Would be nice if there were murals instead of ill-formed graffiti. I don't mind formed graffitti, but signatures and scratches seem degrading, rather than artistic. Gushing period stained my PJs. Shall have to was them when I get into Calgary. Take Rowan for a run maybe? We'll see who's in.
9:58Pit stop at an Esso station in Bassano, about 130 km outside of Calgary. Left a message twice, the mom called and my cell $ died, so I won't be calling when I see the city limits. Got out. Couple of prairie photos. Overcast, and marginally cool, but far as I know Calgary hasn't had a really warm summer in a while. By the time I finish, I'll have been on the bus less than 48h. Which doesn't seem too bad compared to others on the bus. Couple of kids with their grandparents travelling to Kelowna, BC. Somehow I feel we ought to be early if there's only 130km left, and we've 2h to arrive there. Started watching "Big Fish" but not with 100% attention. We've left the stop and are moving again. The ride seems too short, but I look forward to taking a shower if I go swimming tomorrow.
10:22:) I can see the mountains. Dark shawdows really, with peaks that make them highlighted different from the grey clouds.
That, and Big Fish can be a sad movie, so I'm changing focus. Saddest thing about aging is that the mind may be quick and eager and vibrant for and with life, but the body can't keep up. The loss of youth.
Two horses and a colt out to pasture. Another pit stop, or rather we've turned off the road to a side dirt road. CP train passes us in the other direction. I listen to Armageodon while trying to ignore the last of "Big Fish" and not tear up too bad. Kleenex time.
11:09 Oh wow! the mountains are just fabulous. Not sure when/how, but I need to go for a hike there. Drove through Strathmore. The sun is out, and the sky is dotted with white fluffy clouds. The fields are green and what, with rolled bales. And far off, just before an horizon would hit ar the mountains.Hawk sitting regal on a wooden fence.
I think some yellow canola plants are just beginning to flower, although perhaps they're just finishing.
Chestermere lake. Calgary's on the other side. It will have changed. It does every time I visit, but I'm getting used to the changing that occurs. Nothing states the same, myself included.
Yeah, by the time we get to the bus depot, it'll be at least 11:45am. Calgary tower and downtown Calgary! Seemingly emerging from the field adjacent to the bus, but that's the illusion of hills.
Welcome to Calgary (11:21)
Pro-life sign on a billboard. Doubles up CPR train cars. Bike paths visible :). Farmer's market, which moved ages ago, is now a furniture outlet. Paragliders on the Drrofoot hills used for tobogganing! The Calgary Herald/Global/National Post. Down Deerfoot to Memorial Dr. Funny how an approach from the east makes the Calgary Tower seem separate from the other skyscrapers. They're finally developing over the ruins of the General Hospital - construction still in progress. 4th Ave downtown. Stampede flags still up - I lie: "Masters" as in the Master's show jumping at - mind draws a blank (correction: Spruce Meadows) - S.W. horse jumping location. Driver listing off instructions/schedules: slower than a telephone listing. New condos on west side of downtown. Terminal arrival. 11:41.