roadquill1

Dear family, friends and followers,

Weather has been a very important factor in our travel to Alberta this year. We began packing in early May, and I struggled with indecisions on clothing requirements for the trip. We weren’t quite sure what to expect in weather conditions. Do we need shorts and tee shirts, or jeans, long sleeves and sweaters? Over an extended period of time I went through my drawers and closets and kept finding stuff that I “had forgotten” and so I added it to the trailer stash. (Instead of packing once like I would for a trip overseas.)

Once we got on the road, my overfull storage cupboards became apparent to my partner. Upon efforts to repack and reorganize, Sandy wondered, “Why do you need 5 pairs of jeans? And 8 tee shirts?” Great questions with no reasonable answers! Perhaps increasing age and decreasing tolerance for temperature ranges??

Our predictions for clothing requirements have been somewhat off! Cooler temperatures, and wildfire smoke have altered our needs. We have spent little time lounging outdoors in our anti-gravity chairs in warm summery conditions. We try…but then cold winds and rather smoky air drive us inside. In Alberta we have had many blue sky days (with some smoky haze) and very little rain, but most days include strong gusty winds. Mostly jeans and sweater/jacket combinations needed.

The day before yesterday on a shopping trip to nearby Walmart and Canadian Tire here in Fort Saskatchewan, I dressed “appropriately” (for me): jeans, tee shirt, sweater and jacket. (Socks and shoes instead of sandals, of course.) As I got out of the truck and looked around, a slim young lady was looking comfortable (or pretending to be comfortable) wearing shorts, and a sleeveless shirt. I looked around and noted that most of the folk heading into Walmart were sporting similar summery clothing. I don’t get it! Are these younger folk immune to the cool temperatures and wind chill? Are they pretending that summer has arrived? Is appropriate clothing dictated by the calendar and style pressure? For heavens sake…I am dressed in winter wear, and I still have my winter fat! (Well, actually the winter fat began accumulating about 2020!)

Yesterday we made a pilgrimage to the Bon Accord Cemetery gravesite of Sandy’s Great Great Grandfather – Charles Bremner – a Métis fur trader from Battleford, SK, who had had his furs stolen at the end of the second Northwest Rebellion. After the rebellion Bremner moved to the Bon Accord area (to be near to his daughter and son-in-law – a North West Mounted Policeman), where he died in 1919. In trying to research his residency in this area at the Bon Accord Library we got great help from a young lady with a Newfoundland accent. However, no luck. (It is an interesting historical story – parts of which can be found online by searching “Charles Bremner’s furs”.)

Anyway, our trip north to Fort McMurray has been aborted because of fires and air quality deterioration, and all of our northern camping reservations cancelled – at a cost. Instead, we have opted to stay here at Fort Lions Ft. Saskatchewan Campground right on the North Saskatchewan River until Saturday. We are quite enjoying our site here. There are many beautiful hiking/biking trails and frequent signs to describe the historical events of the area. Our granddaughter has made plans to join us here for a couple of days.

Whether biking, or hiking, we will make full use of the trails over the next few days – utilizing all my available winter clothing, I’m sure. I will be warm – if unstylish!

Love and best wishes to you all!

Sandy and Tony