Including a TV-viewing dispute; some burly tumbleweed; slow-motion moths; a memorable cleaning job; and an ideal addition to any bathroom.
Including a TV-viewing dispute; some burly tumbleweed; slow-motion moths; a memorable cleaning job; and an ideal addition to any bathroom.
The bit on idiotic drivers reminded me of the cretins I had to deal with this past Sunday. I had left Edmonton on yet another trip to my house in Fort St. John and you wouldn’t believe the nutters I encountered along the Yellowhead Highway before I turned off to head towards Grande Prairie and the B. C. border. Of course, it didn’t help that it was a summer long weekend.
I swear it’s worse now than when I made my road trips soon after my father died over 4 years ago.
If the province of Alberta actually enforced its highway traffic laws, it would fill its coffers with the speeding tickets alone.
It’s no different for Hwy 2. I stopped doing #2 at Innisfail usually and headed west to Hwy 22, if I didn’t just take 22 via Bragg Creek and head north to avoid Calgary traffic on #2. in the morning Nice low traffic route and avoided the stretch from Edmonton on #16. Bailout north was #22 to Entwhistle, #16 and then #22 north to Mayorthorpe. Never take the route up to Whitecourt #32, from #16, too many deer on that road. Now that #43 is 4 lane, the whackos can just pass on the left and I just set cruise 110 and unless you need to go into GP, I usually bypassed north up #2 to just past Sexsmith gas up and head to #674 left at through La Glace and Valhalla Center rejoin #43 at Brainard. Off to FSJ and points north. Nice relaxing low traffic route.
I might have to try some of those routes, provided I can get diesel along the way.
Mind you, it depends on what time of year. After Labour Day, I’m sure the weekend traffic along #16 west out of Edmonton will drop off significantly.
Speaking of deer on the highway, I nearly ran into one coming into Whitecourt Wednesday evening.
I first saw it about a km ahead. It started running across my side and just made it to the other one when it turned back. It must have been scared off by some road repair equipment. I thought it decided against crossing until I, and the traffic behind me, had passed.
Uh, no. It decided to make another run for it just as I was closing in, something I did not expect. I braked rather hard and slowed down enough by the time I was about 50 m away.
During my road trips this summer, I’ve seen a number of carcasses along the road. I saw one a few weeks close to the visitor information centre just south of Valleyview.
Pretty sure there’s diesel at Sexsmith Huskey, but if you stick to #43 right to #2 in GP, turn right there’s a Huskey right by the Ramada Inn, on your way north to Sexsmith.
Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.
Deer are no fun to hit…I have a Solid STEEL front Bumper
…..but a MOOSE is a WHOLE different Story. THAT what would scare the pants off of me…If that ever happens I’ll Likely be another dead Road Statistic.
They’re so damned tall the body will obliterate the Cab of my Dmax without resistance.
Yea…no fun and as such, prefer to drive during daytime.
I used the horn, long like a train for both critters. Deer hesitate, if not bolt the other direction, Moose, well they’re unpredictable so I just ease off the throttle until I can see what they do. Rut season is another different world for Moose. Tested my brakes on one at night on the Trunk road, standing in the middle of the road who probably thought I was a challenger. Pretty close encounter, a stand off for a couple of minutes. Dances with F-150.
A few weeks ago, I encountered a bear just inside B. C. a few km from the border.
The critter at least had the good sense to take a good long look before making its dash across all 6 lanes of the highway.
Then there was the coyote that I saw well inside Whitecourt town limits. Traffic was stopped at a set of lights when the critter decided to make its run. It made it across to the other side when the lights changed. That’s when it wasn’t sure what to do, but the drivers on the other side graciously stayed where they were to let it continue. It was then that the beastie decided to finish its dash and got safely to the other side.
I actually liked that part of the country. Lots of wildlife, two legged, too.