Day 10--Taber to Maple Creek

We listened to at least three thunder storms during the night but the day dawned with a blue sky.  After the usual breakfast, the riders hit the road at 7:30 again.  A long day ahead--over 200 km.  There was a light breeze and it didn't seem as hot this morning.  I caught up with Gordon and Ward at about 10 a.m.  They were averaging 30 km an hour.  Pretty good for two old guys!  Updated their water supply and then we agree to meet where they were detouring around Medicine Hat, at Township Road 120.  This junction proved a perfect spot for lunch--no picnic table but SHADE!!  And some lovely horses joined us.   Onward toward Maple Creek, Saskatchewan after lunch.  Lots of rolling land, now in the Cypress Hills which are green at the moment but you can see evidence of coulees and the land falls away to where water must have rushed through in some millenium, leaving flat hills, with arms or fingers.  Not a good description.  Maybe the pictures will have shown it a little.  Anyway, you can imagine dinosaurs in this type of area, but Drumheller is north of here.  Lots of ranch country with herds of cattle ranging the land. Took the picture of the ranch gate for Olin, who wanted to know what a ranch is!  There is very little in Maple Creek so I finally settled on the Maple Creek Motel Inn, and the very nice girl suggested we stay in "the trailer" at the back because the room was bigger and it was easy access via our own door.   Big room, quite nice actually and easy access and room for the bikes and all of us.  We ate at the motel last night and actually had our first greasy fried breakfast there this morning.  Sitting in McDonald's at the moment having done my shop at the Coop in Swift Current.  Sent the boys off this morning with their little Oh Canada flags flapping behind them!  Heading for Herbert (truly) to-night.  More nothing I suspect.  Then Regina to-morrow and we plan to stay there for a day off the next day.  The Cypress Hills are really lovely, lots of rolling green. 

Madge