Cranbrook BC to Medicine Hat AB

 

Today was a travel day. We left in good time, stopped for a couple of breaks and a bagel in Fernie, and arrived at Medicine Hat AB about 3pm.

Lots more mountain views and curves early in the day:

 

These eroded tiers of rock seams looked like a giant's staircase

 

We got stopped by some construction, and could feel we were being watched:

 We stopped in Fernie BC for a break and a bagel (actually we got 6, a mixed bag). We've had bagels from this place before, and they are fantastic:

  

 

Two others were like these two. The cinnamon raisin ones didn't last til the picture.  :))

Some garbage bin art nearby:

  

Later we passed the site of the Frank Slide, one of the most serious rock slides in Canadian history. Over 60 people were killed, and many remain buried under the rubble that is still here. These beautiful mountains can be treacherous:

We noticed a new-looking sign advertising a showing of Frank Slide history and background, but didn't stop.  If you Google Frank Slide Interpretive Centre you can read all about it.

 

Still later we noticed some orange shelters in grassy fields:

  

Hard to see, but we have seen shelters similar to these on an earlier trip, and found they were field homes for leafcutter bees that farmers use to help pollinate some crops like alfalfa or some canola varieties. Here's a link with more info and much better pictures:  <Leafcutter LINK>.

 

Lots of windmills in the hills in Alberta:

We had another early stop in the Gas City campground in Medicine Hat AB. No reservations, so we got an unserviced site in their overflow area. This gives us access to their washrooms, showers etc for just $22. No non-resident surcharge in Alberta. Of course there is no non-resident surcharge in BC parks except for the Provincial ones either, as far as I know.

 

The view from the side door of our van. There's a deep valley between us.