The day started early but boy was it worth it! Picked up Henry around 9:30 and off we went. I was so excited, I missed a corner and ended up in NW Calgary. Oops! After awhile we finally found the old Highway 1A into Cochrane. A quick stop at the liquor store, a driver change and down the 22 we go down to our next destination, Longview. This was Henry’s first interaction with Sophia from the drivers seat. With the looks of his grin, I don’t think he was disappointed. The more he grinned the louder she screamed!!
A quick 2 beer lunch stop in the amazing Longview Saloon and off we go west. Highway 40 just opened 2 weeks earlier, so our timing was perfect. Much to my surprise, not that much traffic for the July 1st weekend.
A few more beer stops, exchanging conversations with all kinds of wonderful peoples. Ha ha some understood and others not so much!! Moving up the road we experienced what I had hoped for so many times travelling this highway. GRIZZLIES!!! WOW SO COOL!! First, a sow and three cubs…
After spending some very incredible moments with the bears it was time to move along. It seemed every time we seen a “Watch for Goats!” sign we seen bears except this time….
Damn, time flies when you’re having fun!! We are so far behind…. Picking up the pace we headed north to the TransCanada 1 and west towards Banff. Before going into Banff, I thought we should check out Lake Minnewanka for a quick beer stop and a little site seeing. Upon doing this, we found the crowds!!! Next stop Banff!
Holy, the people!! Canada Day in Banff was NUTS!!
Time to find a parking spot and find some much needed beer, I mean food!! St. James Gate never disappoints. A very quick bite to eat along with a couple beers and Banff was in the rearview mirror!! I thought Highway 1A back to Cochrane would be the most scenic. Again not much traffic! To top off the night, as we entered into Airdrie… a CHECKSTOP!! Damn, good thing I haven’t been drinking and driving all day!! Of course, they pick us! Then out comes the breathalyzer… quickly doing the math… let’s just say I’m not good at math under press!! Okay, BLOW….ZERO!! WHAT?? YES, best day every! Then the officer decided it was time to chat about cars…OMG are you kidding me? Officer, Henry, has his thumbs over the coffee cup holes that contain a Bud Light!!! Please officer I get it, you are a FORD guy!! You have said it multiple times and you don’t like my car, thats fine ….but please can we go? “Have you tracked the car?” the officer asked. Replying with a sad look on my face, ”My wife won’t let me!” Next question!! I thinking, what the hell is going on? Then he says that I’m probably going to try the car out on the highway to Crossfield cause all the officers are busy at the check stop!! Haha, I laughed cause at this point what else is there to talk about!! I continue to think, please officer….can we go? Good boy, Henry, don’t say a word!! Don’t breath and do not take your thumbs off the death trap!! Ha Ha!! On to the next officers point…. he then asks me if i would ever buy the new mid-engine corvette? I firmly relied ” If I made your wage, Yes I would buy one!!” He simply laughed and thought about the next torturing topic!! After, oh I don’t know, maybe 5 minutes or so, which seemed like an hour…. the officer calmly says “You can go….have a good night!” WOW!! Finally!!!! Slowly and very carefully I entered back into traffic. Cautiously preceding through the intersection full of peace officers. Once completely through the Check Stop. I gave “Sophia” the opportunity to “Bark” and state that she eats “MUSTANGS” for breakfast!!!! Mindfully keeping it below the speed limit of course!!