I'm not really sure what to say about today. I felt a bit aloof and my mind wandered mostly while my legs were on autopilot as I kept the trusty white line steady at my left. After 45 km I stumbled into Medicine Hat. This place had some decently steep hills I haven't seen since BC.A sign on the highway made promises of a park with swimming and other activities with an ominous arrow pointing south off the TCH. Well who should greet me but the oll' Crowsnest highway. I'll never forget our first day together. Hills. Two giant endless hills. Still the hardest day I've encountered.
With the idea of being submerged in cool water stuck in my head I figured what the hell and rolled down that crazy road for 5 km or so until it dawned on me that the damn place could be way too far and my map showed no obvious bodies of water down that way at all. Swim aborted. I'd have to stay filthy for another day.
Before leaving Medicine Hat I found a bike shop and picked up a sweet handlebar bag for $75. Its great for easy access to my camera and can hold fruit and snacks at a cooler temperature then the panniers. Its even got a holder for your beer! I filled it up with goodies at the grocery store and set off out of town.
From here you get to go through gentle rolling lands of nothing. A scarce farm here and there, some animals grazing on occasion, but mostly lumpy hills of dried out grass and a mild headwind that cut my speed under 20 km. The train was the only thing of interest I'd really see. I counted the cars it was pulling to keep my mind occupied. The most was 135.
Anyhow, the headwinds were tiring me out and at the 100 km mark a tiny town called Walsh popped up so I stuck my tent up behind their community center with a nice view of the hills and the train only 200m away.
I'm going to do something I've wanted to do for ages. Venture down to the tracks with some coins then relax and see what surprises I get in the morning. Saskatchewan awaits me tomorrow!
