km today: 111.3
total km: 1878.9
This morning we got off to a slow start (we were making you people happy with our last update). When in the Medicine Hat tourism office (where we updated) we ran into another couple riding across. They are doing it on a tandem bike though. After checking out their top of the line gear including comfortable looking pedals and seats, along with a trailer whose wheels do not fly off into bushes, we decided they were much better prepared.
We finally took off at 1:00pm and hit the Saskatchewan border shortly after. A quick refreshment stop and we were back on the road to complete our last 65km to Maple Creek. This was our first day on Highway 1 (The Trans Canada Highway) and it was really quite accommodating with its huge shoulders that allowed plenty of room between us and the busy two lanes adjacent. There was a slight but noticeable decrease in its quality directly after the border crossing, but it still made for a pleasurable ride.
Maple Creek turned out to be well worth the 8km detour off the highway. Its small
town prairie atmosphere made for a uniquely warm welcome. The Co-Op was closed when we arrived because of Canada Day so we were forced to buy our groceries from the gas station where we were privileged to meet the two hysterical owners who were in awe of our journey. They gave us a discount on our groceries and ended up chatting with us over the course of a couple smoke breaks.
When we checked into our campground (which included free mini golf) we were told by the owner that last year she'd had an 85 and an 83 year old husband and wife duo doing the same trip as us for the 2nd time! Our favourite part of the story was that for dinner they wanted nothing but pizza and beer.
B&K
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