But, we had to carry on towards Edmonton. We crossed into Alberta just before 10:00am. Sherman hasn't been to Alberta since the fall of 2007!
We sure are enjoying seeing a new part of the country by RV. We've never been along any of this route to the Yukon, with the exception of myself around the Edmonton area when I lived there for a year or so back in 1980.
Still in Saskatchewan.
As we head towards Alberta, there are a lot more of these big ponds.
The road to ourselves.
So glad that everybody else is on the Trans Canada highway.
The Scenery starts to become more rolling, with more trees.
We just puttered along at 80 km/h (50 mph).
Welcome to Alberta!
We stopped at the roadside Ribstone Campground for a break.
$5 a night. Not as good as free, but pretty close!
GPS 52.851199, -110.220667
Sherman, taking a break at the Ribstone Campground.
Scenery along the way.
As we approached the town of Wainwright, we saw some signs stating "Mandatory Watercraft Inspection ahead".
Ruth had read about this. The province of Alberta has an active program to reduce the harmful spread of aquatic invasive species.
It is mandatory that all watercraft stop for an inspection.
And, this includes an inflatable kayak!
The last time we used the kayak was in Texas. And, that was more than 30 days ago. So the two girls running the inspection station asked us a few questions and told us a few facts. If your boat is not properly cleaned and dried after each use, an invasive species can live up to 30 days without being in the water, provided there is enough moisture.
We do clean and dry the kayak after each use, so we're okay.
Kevin, with inspectors Haley and Justine.
Next stop, the town of Wainwright, Alberta (pop 6,300).
Entrance to Wainwright.
We stopped at the visitor's center and spoke to Leslie who enthusiastically pointed out some things to see and do in town. We needed some exercise, and just walked up and down the main drag. But, she did mention the second largest railway trestle in Canada that is located nearby and that piqued our interest.
Ruth and Leslie at the visitor's center located in the old train station.
Wainwright had a big fire in 1929, and the only thing left standing was the old clock tower that remains today.
Wainwright is known for the plains buffalo.
Interesting skirt made of flowers!
The clock tower dates back to 1925.
The old railway station, now the visitor's center.
The railway trestle, built between 1907 and 1908.
Second longest in Canada... the longest is the one near Lethbridge Alberta, completed in 1909.
We carried on to just past the village of Fabyan to where there is another $5 a night campground called Fabyan Campground.
We do not plan on paying any money for camping on this trip unless it's at a Yukon Provincial Park... but for $5 a night we won't complain...
Not bad, but it's too close to a fairly busy highway.
Yesterday's drive, 140 kms (87 miles).
This morning, we're headed for Edmonton. I think one of our readers had at some point offered us a place to stay in Edmonton, but the city has some exceptionally strict rules for RV parking, so I think we're going to go to the West Edmonton Mall for a few hours, then head directly out of town to a more RV friendly place!
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All Pelican Elite brand coolers are on sale today only at record low prices...
And in Canada...
Hitting those visitors centers in a new town is always a good idea. If nothing else, there's usually someone there who's more than happy just to chat for a while.
ReplyDeleteYep, it isn't a bad idea at all, especially if there is enough to see in the town and surrounding area. They may also tell you about some little known spots that you may have missed otherwise.
DeleteI prefer the "Yellow Head" highway over Trans Canada highway as well, more scenic and not so busy. Nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe Yellowhead Highway is the northern route of the Trans Canada Highway and we found that it had too much traffic on it. We enjoyed our drive on highway 40 which runs a little below the Yellowhead Highway, it was much quieter and probably just as pretty.
DeleteI would be thrilled with a $5/night campground! We haven't been desperate enough to stay at a Walmart (which just seems like it could be too noisy), so our one-night stays are typically at $25-30 per night places. Crazy, right? But at least they're usually quiet and safe -- and still far cheaper than when we used to travel all over the US staying in hotels!
ReplyDeleteWe luckily haven't been desperate enough to pay $25-30 per night for just an over night stay. I am afraid at that point we might just stay at a Walmart. However experience has shown us that we can almost always find somewhere better for free. Had we known that the campground was now $5 instead of free for the night we probably would have stayed at the parking lot for the lookoff to the trestle. It would have been much quieter but it wasn't the most level, that might have been a bit of a challenge.
DeleteLove your posts. Enjoy your travels!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brigitte! It was lovely meeting you and Rick yesterday. And, thank you for such a lovely afternoon. :-)
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