13 – Day Off in Okotoks AB

June 17, 2013 by Jimmy

Our recumbent tandem bicycle became the hit of the 100th Okotoks Fun Days parade. The main road through town was closed off so we joined the parade to get to the bike shop on the other end of town!

: Joining the parade in Okotoks AB

: One of the floats in the Okotoks parade

: Linda, Sue, Chris, Jimmy at the Wheel Life Bike Shop in Okotoks AB

: Okotoks Country Inn

Day 20 Pictures 6/14/13 – Fort MacLeod AB to Okotoks AB (82 miles)

June 17, 2013 by Jimmy

Thunderstorms stopped our forward momentum toward Okotoks AB where we had an appointment at the Wheel Life Cyclery shop. We ordered parts to replace the entire drive train for the bike: chain, chain rings, and rear gear cassette. No way to get there by closing at 6pm, so we thumbed a ride with "Al" who took us all the way in to Okotoks. Chris Brown at Wheel Life stayed hours late to get the bike ready for travel. Thanks to Al, Chris, and Sue — indispensable members of our support team!

: The Fort Motel in Fort MacLeod

: The actual fort (reconstructed) in Fort MacLeod AB

: We give up – what are these for?

: The gathering storm near Granum AB

: Snacking at a little store while waiting out the storm at Granum AB

Day 19 Pictures 6/13/13 – Warner AB to Fort MacLeod AB (79 miles)

June 17, 2013 by Jimmy

Today’s ride started with rain and ended with rain, with sunshine in-between.

: Seeking shelter from the rain in the Warner Hotel in Warner, AB.

: The Warner Hotel, over the Warner Bar, rebuilt after fire in 1950s. Our room at top left.

: Stacks of giant 200-foot wind turbine blades. Note size of truck beside blades!

: Instead of giant roadside billboards, hay bale ads are the big thing in parts of Canada.

: This railroad trestle, built in 1909, crosses over the Oldman River in Lethbridge AB and is over one mile long and 314 feet high!

: Yellow-headed blackbird on a cattail wand.

: Our route west through Alberta.

: Crossing the Oldman River for the second time near Fort MacLeod AB.

: This storm caught us as we entered Fort MacLeod.

Day 18 Pictures 6/12/13 – Shelby MT to Warner AB (63 miles)

June 14, 2013 by Jimmy

: Kit Checkin’ Us Out

: Montana Kits

: Pastel Landscape Near Sunburst, MT

: Notice Anything Unusual? Taryn & Taylor

: Waiting at Canadian Customs

: We Made It to Canada!

: We Made It to Canada!

: Gopher Everett

: Pappy Jim & T-Rex at Milk River, AB

: New Friends Al & Lane at the Warner Hotel Warner, AB

Day 17 Pictures – Conrad, MT to Shelby, MT (29 miles)

June 12, 2013 by Jimmy

: Northgate Motel in Conrad, MT

: Jimmy & Linda in Conrad, MT

: Red Barn Near Shelby, MT

: A Couple of Double-Crested Cormorants Near Shelby, MT

: Yellow-Headed Blackbird

: Jimmy Lowering the Colors Due to High Winds

: A Non-Tumbling Tumbleweed

: Little Buck at Marias River Crossing MT

: I-15 and Frontage Rd into Marias River Valley MT

: Little House on the Prairie

: Pronghorn Antelope near Shelby, MT

: Veterans Memorial Park at Shelby, MT

A new storm is moving across Montana and the strong headwinds slowed us down on Day 17. We did not make it to the US/Canadian border as hoped and pulled up for the night in Shelby, MT.