The Mobius Trip

[DR. Rock]

towards the forestry trunk road, which was spot-on advice, the only downside being that we'd have to ride 20 or so miles of pavement to get there.



a quick fuel top-off,



and my favorite sign -- the international symbol for cigarette butt:





This being sunday, we didn't expect much big-truck traffic.



nice riding!

[DR. Rock]

the forestry trunk road:





we really couldn't complain about the weather either. Yet.

Break-time:



we hoped to see some of these guys:



And we got lucky... a short ways down the road, I found this little guy squatting on the centerline.



and I'm pretty sure it's a Woodland Caribou, since neither I nor anyone at the nature center in Hinton could tell me what the heck it was.



so I'm just gonna go with "Woodland Caribou"

[DR. Rock]

some of the campgrounds, even though it was a little early in the day for stopping.



there were some nice ones, but no running water; the trunk road seems to follow a ridge.



the bigger concern was the brewing storm clouds. We were having flashbacks to our experience on the Top of the World highway.



Plenty of oil and gas exploration:



another campsite up on the ridge:



this one, complete with a complimentary coat hanger .

[DR. Rock]

making that transition from benign to threatening, to dramatic







not particularly technical riding, but fun nonetheless.

[DR. Rock]

looks like we're gonna be getting wet.



Guest appearance by Austin Powers on a quad:



OK... time to pull over and get the rain gear on:

[DR. Rock]

to get a picture:



of Rockies and Rain:



Careful 'round the curves:

[DR. Rock]

heading east across some flatlands, then headed south on the forestry trunk road. Meanwhile, the rockies run southeast, so they were starting to get closer to us:



despite the wet (which was more sprinkles than downpour), it was a great ride,



Coming down off the ridge we were treated to a beautiful vista, with dramatic clouds and light:



Since it seemed like the worst of the weather was behind us,



we decided to take our chances camping one more night. As we rolled into Pierre Grays Lakes provincial park,



the sun seemed to be trying to break through:

[DR. Rock]

we had the tent set up and our gear stowed, the sun was full force.





but storm clouds were rolling down out of the Rockies, and things would change minute to minute.

[DR. Rock]

of late-day, low-angled light, and low-passing storm clouds,



along with a gorgeous lake and lush woods



was a potent visual mix,



just begging to be photographed.



We grabbed cameras and went for a walk,



but when we saw the weather headed our way,



and felt sprinkles again,





we hustled back to the campsite



and cooked dinner.

[DR. Rock]

rinsing dishes:



lonely, sad, banned campfire wood,



However, I did score this piece:





perfect for throwing the bear-bag rope over a branch:



It worked so well, I wanted to pack it up and take with us.

[kaia]

while your latest adventure has been more pavement bound, it's still exciting! thanks for the awesome reporting and entertaining commentary. :wink

i was catching up with your report this morning, and it seemed you were posting as i was reading... every post i finished, refreshed... and there was another post to read.

good luck on the planning of the next leg of your trip!

[CBAT]

The last sets of photos were excellent. The storm clouds really did the trick.

[DR. Rock]

to grab the remaining light of the day,



out on this island,



we saw evidence of a gunfight,



(I had a flashback: does anyone else remember these?)

and enjoyed the last of the day,



before being beaten back into the tent by the rain.



and rain it did... ALL NIGHT.

Stats for the day -- respectable, and, we're nearing 2000mi for the trip!

[DR. Rock]

From Pierre Gray's campground to Grande Cache, AB



click on image below for a bigger version:


basically a retreat to lower elevation, and indoor plumbing.

[jeickerman]

Originally Posted by DR. Rock

we saw evidence of a gunfight,



(I had a flashback: does anyone else remember these?)

I think I still have my cap guns. The ones I have now, make a much bigger BOOM!