Day 23: Medicine Hat to Maple Creek (bang bang , outch!)

For anyone who was worried that the trains near the RV park were going to keep us awake, fear not, we couldn't even hear then over the pounding rain and ear splitting thunder directly overhead. We slept and it rained, we woke and it rained. We played cards and it rained until almost 11:30am when it stopped. Though don't worry, although we didn't yet know it we weren't done with our friend the storm quite yet.

Our first time on the trans Canada highway furthered our belief that taking the small routes is more fun. There is a big shoulder but the trucks distract from the beautiful scenery and are loud, especially when it rains...or hails!!!

The storm approached us from the north and broadsided us. After soaking us for 25 minutes it decided to give us a glimmer of hope by letting up for another 20 minutes before the marbles starting to fly. Bang bang, "ouch! Hey ahhh!!!!" was all I heard Leah say before getting smacked hard by a gobstopper in the forarm. After a few minutes the chaos ended and we stumbled off our bikes, bruised and sore. The weather gods of Alberta do not want us to leave... But dispute enduring their wrath over over the last 7 days, Alberta is not our master and we have parted ways. Now into the domain of Saskchewan.







The rest of the trip into the cypress hills and down into Maple Creek was sunny with a bit of odd fog. We struggled a bit against the wind before turning south and cruising into the quaint town of Maple Creek.

Haiku 12:30 pm
Breeze at our backs
Chasing clouds across the prairie
Flying away the rainy day blues

Haiku 2:30 pm
Orange and black skies
Ice marbles bash the bikers
Evil is in the air

Haiku: bye bye Alberta
Rain, snow,wind and hail,
Alberta fought us tooth and nail,
Surprise! Look who won!

Distance: 100.13 km
Time on bikes: 5:27:31
Average Speed: 18.3 km/h
Distance from Vancouver: 1753 km
Start Time: 12:15 pm
End Time: 7:30 pm
Wind: From the Northwest
Traveling: West

Cheers
- The Warpotay Team

Location:Maple Creek, Saskchewan