Chicago ain't got Nuthin on Alberta

A windblown P-Rock bloggin at ya.


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Day 6 - Saskatoon, SK to Whitecourt, AB

We got an early start out of the wonderful city of Saskatoon so Blackie could make a stop in Edmonton at the BMW dealer to pick up some oil and have them take a look at a small oil leak and also to try to repair a highway peg. I'm sure Blackie will have more to say on that topic, so I will start out talking about Edmonton. OK... first off the ride TO Edmonton was quite nice. Each mile got a little more scenic until we finally had the city in sight. One interesting thing was that in Saskatchewan, every town has a grain elevator like this one. It makes for a landmark you can see for miles outside of town. Very cool.

Our spirits were high as we tooled into Edmonton. As we exited the ramp off of Highway 16 to go to the BMW dealer we were hit with a fierce wind that had been our tailwind all day long. Now as a tailwind it was really nice. As a crosswind... not so much. There were times when we had to lean a good 15 degrees into the wind - which was also gusty. This wind continued out of Edmonton for at least a good 50 miles until it finally turned into a tailwind as we turned onto Rt 43 heading to Whitecourt. That can wear you out. Let me tell ya.

Now on to Edmonton. I had high expectations for Edmonton, especially considering the scenic skyline while cruising into town. Once we got there, things went downhill fast. The roads? Well either in horrible shape or under construction (or closed... more on that later). The parts of Edmonton we were in were also not so good looking. I'd describe it more like run-down than a vibrant city like Saskatoon. The BMW dealer was another story though. What a palace. That place was a jewel.

After we left the dealer all fixed up (well the oil problem anyway - the highway peg needs parts) we tried valiantly to get out of town - but our trusty GPS's - two of them mind you - insisted that we go on a road that is closed for construction. It was trying to force U-turns down our throat and everything. Finally after we just kept heading away from the offending area it decided we were much dumber than she was, and took us out of town on a different route - this time sans any gravel thank you very much.

Rolling into Whitecourt we saw deteriorating weather and much improving scenery. I'm sure this is just a taste of things to come - can't wait!

Tomorrow we are heading to Milepost 173 on the Alaska Highway, to a place called the Blackhorse River Lodge. I'm not so sure we'll have phone or internet service, but if we do we'll be sure to post up. If not we'll make up for lost time when we find civilization.

P-Rock - The answer my friend, is Blogging in the Wind.