July 18th to 22nd - Missoula to Edmonton Alberta

July 18th – Sun – to Conrad MT
We drove through some beautiful country today as we headed north to Canada in beautiful weather. The Missouri River winds around and the highway crosses it many times. There were lots of people fishing and rafting in the river.
We wanted to get close to the border crossing so we found an RV park in Conrad. It was a little old park with narrow interior roads but it was right across the street from a grocery store so we could pick up a few items without unhooking the truck.

July 19th – Mon – to Red Deer Alberta
We had an uneventful border crossing at Sweetgrass. They did not ask any questions about fruit & vegetables which is really strange considering the items that we had to throw away when we went into B.C. at the beginning of May. We decided to stay at Drumheller and visit some sites. It started to pour rain before we got there and we couldn’t find the RV park right away so we had some lunch and carried on.
The Wanderer RV park in Red Deer is right beside the fairgrounds where they were setting up for a fair. We were able to get a spot only for one night – which is what we wanted – as it was booked for the fair. It had rained on the drive but cleared so we could take a short walk around the park.

July 20th – Tues – to Beaumont (Edmonton) AB
We are here to visit friends Les & Wendy who we met in San Carlos Mexico in March of 2008. It was a short drive so even with a lazy start we arrived at the Lions’ Club RV park just a block from Les & Wendy’s about 11:30. Les came by as we were setting up and then went to get Wendy. Unfortunately, they were on their way to a funeral so it was not the happiest day for them. We ran a few errands (booze, food, diesel & propane), took a short walk on a path beside the RV park and then decided to find a casino. The Edmonton Casino is quite large with few 1 & 2 cent slot machines. Terry spent a bit on the slots and then played 21 where he ended up even. I won enough to keep me going for a while and then lost.
Back at the rig, we put out lawn chairs in the shady city park right behind us and were enjoying a drink when Les & Wendy returned. Of course they joined us for a short while and then we went to their place for dinner. Wendy had already planned a crock pot dinner so they added some veggies and more side dishes and we had a lovely dinner. We sat out for a while before dinner but grabbed the chair pads and dashed inside when thunder was followed by a rain shower. Alberta has been getting a lot of rain this year after suffering several years of drought. Of course it is too much and crops are very late.
L&W have spent some time in Costa Rica so we saw some of their pictures and then showed them some of our pictures.

July 21st – Wed – Beaumont
We had finished breakfast and making seasoned pretzels when Les came by to see if Terry wanted to go with him to check out his daughter’s house which had been flooded in the basement. I took the opportunity to go for a brisk walk (about 2 miles) on the wonderful trail system right beside our RV spot. The trail led around a little lake and past a water park for kids – a great walk.
Wendy stopped by on her way to the grocery store (walking) and chatted for a bit while I finished up a potato salad. Then we went back to the casino for a while. Same story as yesterday – I lost my allowance on the slots and Terry broke even on the 21 table. Terry would have made money but he persuaded me to join him at the 21 table and we found out I could lose there too!
We went to Les & Wendy’s for dinner again. A tree provided perfect shade so we could sit out for drinks & snacks. After dinner we lit a buddy burner and impressed 2 more people. We got back to the rig after 11.

July 22nd – Thurs – to Sherwood Park
Les & Wendy came by to say goodbye before our LONG trip of 15 miles today. We just had to go further east in the Edmonton area to see Cliff & Pauline who we met in Desert Hot Springs last winter. We are parked and plugged in by their big motor home garage behind their house.
Pauline made us a lovely lunch – with homemade buns! – and then we all went golfing near Wetaskiwin. We walked the 9 hole course and no one was bragging about their scores! But we all decided that the weather and the company made for a good afternoon.
We got back in time for happy hour and Pauline (& Cliff on the BBQ!) made us a wonderful dinner. Then the women wrecked the men’s day by beating them soundly at Sequence. With the luck I had I should have been at the casino!