I had reviewed the weather forecast and therefore expected another frosty morning so I slept in a little bit until about 0700. I then packed my bags for an easy border search if it happened, grabbed a coffee and hit the road. It was back on the interstate which I had managed to mostly avoid for the past two days. But there is not much traffic on that section of I-15 and no deer or antelope to be seen.
Arrived at the border and there was only 2 cars ahead of me. Had a very nice border officer who chuckled with my answer to the “where do you live” question. It seems I was the third person in two days from Truro, NS – go figure!! Since I was well under the limit for dollar amount as well as alcohol and tobacco ( and she obviously could tell I was being truthful) she wished me a safe drive and I was on Canadian soil again – speed in KPH and expensive gas (not too bad since it is Alberta).
Southern Alberta is truly flat so it is like driving on the spot while looking at a picture ! (not really but almost!!). The sun was out, it was getting warmer by the hour and I was getting lulled into a comfort zone that is not a good thing when you are controlling a 1000 lb motorcycle! But have no fear, Mother Nature has ways of making sure this doesn’t last long. SMACK!!! Right over the windshield, and just barely below my sunglasses, a wasp collides just to announce that Spring indeed has arrived! Luckily I can just reach up and smush it , unluckily it was still alive AND a little faster than I. My first sting of 2014 – on my face just below my eye and right beside my nose. But I have developed a bit of a tolerance to the the little buggers’ stings so it was a discomfort that only lasted about 10 minutes.
I continued on to Lethbridge to visit with a colleague, pick up some tips and then on to Calgary where I was meeting with four more colleagues. One of these was providing me with a complimentary room, beer and morning coffee. I picked up many more tips and shared some of my own so it was a great afternoon and evening. There were a couple of riding incidents that are a little tricky to describe. But suffice to say experience, skill, friendly help and luck (or good timing) allows me to be typing this with no damage to any part of my body.