Sunday, June 28, 2015

Bike Paths, Prairies, and Pizza

We left Waterton around 8 a.m. ! Patty and I heading to the coffee shop for some baked goods and coffee, Steve heading to Subway and the gas station to top off his tires.  There is a bike path that runs nearly the entire way from Hwy 6 into Waterton.  I didn't see it when we came in but a man pulled over to the side of the road to tell me I ought to ride it.  Said they spent 2 million to build it.  Sigh...okay.  It was a nice path, but this morning there was very little traffic and I really prefer to ride on the road.  When we passed a wayside, a guy hollered, "Why don't you use the path?" And the tone was...curt.  I hollered back, "There are several reasons, but I don't have time to discuss it."  The path had steeper grades than the road, not great for touring cyclists who have 30+ pounds of gear, there was a perfectly adequate shoulder, and finally, isn't it my choice?  I think bike paths are great for those who want to build up their confidence, but drivers need to learn to travel alongside cyclists and they can't do that if we are not on the road with them.  Weren't y'all just dyin' to hear that rant?

We rode through a lot of prairie grassland.  This is usually high wind country, but today was pretty calm.  I did see this guy...

Which then made me hum this...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=doqTSev-_lQ
for the next hour or so.

Lundbreck Falls is a Provincial Recreation Area, and when I caught up to Patty at the campground, we saw two sites left...both in full, blistering sun.  Ryan to the rescue...Ryan is the camp host and showed us an entire section, hidden from view down by the Crowsnest River.  Ahhhh...shade in site 36.

We didn't know if Lundbreck Falls had any services, so we took extra food and water, but it turns out there is a pizza place there.  The owner only makes so much dough each day, and when it's gone, she closes.  The sign said open at 4...we were there at 3:50.  The locals told us she would be there eventually, and sure enough, at 4:15 her doors opened.  I think it was cooler outside than it was inside, but each of us ordered an entire pizza because there are no services between Lundbreck Falls and Chain Lakes Provincial Park.  And the pizza crust?  Superb...

I have taught Steve and Patty a card game I learned on the Gorge Explorer.  I think it is called Up and Down the River, or maybe Screw Your Buddy, but at any rate, Card Shark Patty, Steve, who hasn't played cards for 30 years, and I took a stab at it.  I'm not going to tell you who won...it doesn't matter, it's just a silly card game anyway.  But...there will be a rematch tomorrow night.


3 comments:

  1. Sounds like the Canadians REALLY want you to use their bike paths! Have fun riding the road :)

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  2. You go girl! Share the road!!!

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  3. Up and Down the River is a favorite of ours. Sounds like you are having a great time. :-)
    Carol

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