Rambling vacation story with heaps of photos

Our trip began as road-trips should, with bags of cut-up veggies, ample cold water and high spirits. Of course, we fairly quickly switched over to coffee, potato chips and a high aroma coming off the dog-blanket, but it was all still pretty awesome.

As we rolled into Alberta, we had a bit of weather. Snowflakes the size of dinner plates, hooking up into skydiving formations, collected a bit on the back of the truck. It didn't build up enough to hide my trailer hitch, but nearly enough to hide the bumper :)

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We arrived at the Beaver County house to a warm welcome, left in place since our human hosts were at work. We settled in and dumped our Molly into the dog party. Four dogs and three cats who ALL know how to party.

This may be the most beautiful home I have visited in Alberta. Situated on 20 fiercely protected acres surrounded by wildlife preserves, provincial parks and close to a national park, it is a paradise partly because of being built so solidly and well. The good design of the house and grounds make differences in many ways.

Amiske Wusche trail was our first excursion. Located in Elk Island National Park, this 3km trail was my first trailrun with our Molly. Molly is a 'Shithound' (shih-tzu mini-daschound cross) and is new to trailrunning, being mainly a house dog.

Judi and Molly bounding along the Amisk Wusche trail

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Judi flew on to Calgary and visiting. I stayed to enjoy some of my favourite people and animals. I did a 10k run, exploring east of the property, and just into nearby Miquelon Lake Provincial Park. It was a slow country road, with rolling hills, and drivers always giving the widest berth.

My daughter joined us out at the acreage, and we got some work done together, which included some groundskeeping. She took a great shot of a truck I loaded.

with my weights far behind at home, I had to make do with logs and kids for lifting

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While getting ready to run my planned 5k, the Calgary Police one I wanted to pitch in on the goings-on maintaining the beautiful home I was visiting, so I cleared a few decades of composted tree-leavings, revealing about a 20 x 40 foot concrete pad. The planned building won't be going up for some time, but this will add some useful workspace.

the only 'before' photo I have

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80% done!

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Just before leaving to my Calgary race, I was shown an overgrown game trail which traced a small loop around a hill on the property, and I ran it for awhile. It took an hour to put 5k in, and it was a VERY hard hour, with lots of logs to jump, step or scramble over, again and again, with the track being under 200m.

Here is just a sample of it, but it's hard to show just how tough it was, with photos.

first part looks EASY!

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this angle shows the difficulties a bit more

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lose it here, and you will be face-first into a pile of moose droppings

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After I burned my legs up hurdling and scrambling over that stuff, Mark showed up with a chainsaw and his labour hobby, clearing all the larger deadfall and making the trail MUCH more usable, though a different challenge altogether.

My other daughter Haley, and her Ashton decided to come along to Calgary, for the ride. They were great company, with Ashton offering to drive, and their company making the time fly by.

the kids navigating us through Alberta backroads to Calgary

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We got to Calgary a bit late, then stayed out at dinner even later, but still woke early enough to get to the 5k early. Susan was there with her friend, Maryam, and we discussed that one of the four of us was recovering an injury. I won't say who, because every single one of us was simply unwilling to break the pack. We were there to run it together, and everyone did. Glad I know such excellent people. I'm pretty sure we'll run again.

My main goal was to bring along my camera, and record their good times together. I'll share a few favourites here.

I can't bring myself to repeat what Judi was saying here, but I hope I captured her emphasis.

inspirational talk

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Thanks to Maryam to shooting this one for us.

I'm pretty sure Susan is texting about being jealous of my skookum new hat

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I LOVE how happy Judi looks in this one!

Judi runs

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Another favourite shot

Tall guys view

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Three finishers!

Happy to have gone. This was a high point in my spring :)

After a beautiful lunch with Judi's family, we piled everything into the truck and headed back to Beaver County. The kids had stayed up late with alcohol and catching up taking up most of their night, so they nodded off once or twice on the drive back.

Judi caught them!

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After we got back, we had a hike around the property with Mark, Jess, Rick and Cocoa. It was pretty beautiful around there, so I'll end with a couple shots.

the gang

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Judi, safely past the moose-poop

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found in the overgrown yard

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Beautiful sunset and group

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freshly cut along a natural fault

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And finally, some of the pets.

Duke, who seems proud of his nose

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Juno the sleepy

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My dearly loved friend and host, inspiring a 'welcome-home-doggy-dance'.

cat cameo by Fred

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There is nothing disturbing about cats. Especially not around their eyes.

nope

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Before we left Beaver County, I ran the newly cleared track there once more, this time with Judi, this time wearing nothing but my new cowboy hat, shoes and a few electronics. To be honest, I was a bit hesitant to post the photo, but said to hell with it, it's my 'ass' on the line lol

Driving home was endless flirting, shooting the shit, and going places for snacks and meals. A pretty good couple of days, and maybe the best part of the trip. Not as many photos of that part, but one is enough to remind me that it is good to be driving through boreal forest in the morning.