Polly was a little more about getting going, she was ready so out I went, and the rain had stopped. 😁 I love it when all seems to be working with us. All packed up outside, while Polly was making sandwiches, then before she was all ready I came in and brought the slides in the living room, Polly was still working in the bedroom, then she put that slide in as I sat waiting in the truck.
After the last slide was in we huddled in the pickup, was freaking cold out, wind was blowing, but no rain. So off we go to the dump station, was a cold day to do this, but I had walked over and saw where it was and how I'd drive to it, was good. All went well and off we go on the road by 9:30 or so, all went well.
Then as we start out I remember we have to get a return document filled out before we can get through the boarder. I stopped, and did a little research, then as I was starting to fill out the form, a pickup is behind us on the small road leading out of the campground, so in gear and away we go.
As we are driving down the highway, about 10 minutes away, a call from the campground, we left our rear plastic blocks from under the Jack's. At first I say we will come get them, then call back later and tell the woman we will not be coming back for them. Polly and I talk this over for awhile, going through how it happened, I did this, she did that, but really was that we did it all a little different because so cold out, we just didn't do our usual ✔️ check. Another lesson as we go.
The drive started out with wind, we noticed how the sign on the side of the highway was half gone, and the fence was all smashed down. Wind was wicked here, but off we go. Rains started, as we travel that turns to snow, sure glad we have a full tank, and are inside a warm pickup.
As we progress towards the boarder, the wind gets worse, and it's snowing harder, wondering if we might be driving into worse weather I asked a local guy at a gas station were he had come from, and told him where we were headed, he said, be ok, may get snow, but won't be much, road will be clear. Made me feel a bit better, but still was windy, cold and snowing.
Note; Asking for information as we drive from people that have just been there is something I have learned along the way, so much to be learned from people that have just been where you are headed.
We took a left at this junction, then I see the wind turbines on the hill, oh yeah we're going for some real wind now 😳, and as we go over the hill the trailer and truck were being pushed around, and the others on the highway were getting the same, we all slow to 55mph, and take the wind head on. After about an hour, the weather changes, we are about 2 hours from the boarder, and the rain stops, wind stops, and sun comes out! We pull over at a rest stop and have lunch at 2:00, warm out, this is nice. Eat our sandwiches, and finish the document for entering Canada, now we're ready.
Off we go towards the boarder, through Grand Falls, Polly called it "light city" so many signal 🚦🚦🚦 lights on the way through. Traffic was not too bad, then onto highway 15, and north we go, very good highway, and light to no traffic. Polly likes this 😁 so do I.
Planning where to get our last fuel, I go to Gas buddy, says last station with Diesel is at Sunburst, so we turn off there, very small town, by the railroad, we find the station, and a cardlock, but I can use Visa, so all good. Fill up at $5.40 a gallon, last time in the states for awhile.
Off to the boarder now, when we get there there are 2 lanes open for us, as we get a little closer I see we can choose which one to be in😆 always trying to get the fastest moving lane, I move to what seems like a better lane. Of course, as soon as I'm in this faster lane, the boarder guard comes out, shuts the gate, and tells us to merge into one lane, he does a good job of making sure each takes their turn, then off he goes. I guess I can't be lucky all the time lol.
On a positive note the boarder Crossing went faster with him gone, and when it was our turn, after a few questions, off we went through. Was another easy crossing 👍 the boarder guard said our "Arrivecan" checked out ok, glad I did this earlier.
We found our campsite 8 Flags, not far from the boarder, in a small town called Milk River.
We setup, made dinner, was good, we were both hungry.
After dinner I went for a stroll through the town. I didn't start out to do that, but as I walked to the river through the campground, then under the bridge, and up onto a train track, i walked along shooting photos of the sun setting, was such a beautiful sky.
Soon I was into the town, looking around at the buildings, and thinking to myself how the town was an up and moving place at one time. As I walked around, not a car, or a person around, it felt deserted.
I was still thinking I was in USA, I found myself kind of in and out of still being in the states. Maybe because I was in Alberta, not like going home? I'm not sure, but was an odd feeling.
Canada and USA so close in our relationship, it's that line in the sand that makes it different.
Too bad, so much to like about both countries, happy we can still travel between them easily, if we fill out the right forms lol.
We're home, in our country, but still not home. Will be nice to see our family in Grande Prairie, and visit places here just the same. I saw I sign on the bridge yesterday by the swallows nests, made me think.
I guess it's true, as we have been making our home where ever we are now for the last 6 years 🤗♥️
Loving this life of travel, taking our home with us👍
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