Today is May 15. When we left Rocky Mountain House 5 days ago, there was snow on the ground and the temp was -4 in the morning. We got through the first couple of days and were able to park the canoes high up on the 5' river- bank ice. The water was cold and the head winds colder. It has been some time since we paddled wearing long underwear and wore ski hats to bed.
We have gone through the communities of Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley, a great stop at the St. Joseph's School of Alberta, Devon and then on through to Fort Saskatchewan. While at Devon, an informal sprint was held. We had to paddle up river about 200 meters then down 500 meters and back up to the start/finish line. We, the old guys from 1967, battled it out with the team of young paddlers from Cumberland House. (At the Flin Flon Gold Rush Canoe Derby, Gib and I raced against the father of John LaLaliberte, Cumberland House, who had a couple of his sons in his canoe!). We were behind at the first turn but made a great second turn and nipped them at the finish. After the sprint, Bob from our team, never having seen us in action, met us on the road to our camp. He took our picture and said the six of us looked like the "Right Stuff" photo.
We are now east of Fort Saskatchewan, camped at Victoria Settlement and heading east again tomorrow. The weather now is 10 degrees in the morning and 25 in the PM with strong winds. Luckily the winds have been tail winds. Always the best!
The 2008 David Thompson Brigade
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