On the road north

After two days of hiking in Glacier, Mary and I hit the trail for the border. Maple leaf on the flag, kilometers and funny writing on signs...it's like 'nother country, eh?


Following the rampart of the Rockies ever northward over rolling hills; prosperous looking ranches and farms on our way up to Longview, home of Ian Tyson. Our mid afternoon snack break was here at Ian's "Navajo Mug " coffee shop ("Ay-yi-yi, Katy...whatever became of the Navajo Rug and you...".)


Here begins a great story...

You should know that Ian has long been my favorite singer/songwriter since his folkie days (Ian & Sylvia) through his later cowboy song career.

Mary and I sat down with coffee and brownies. In the door comes an older cowboy gent, a bit gimpy looking, straw hat and sunglasses.

"Could this be my favorite cowboy singer?", I asked the waitress as he headed upstairs. From her glazed "I don't think I'm authorized to answer that" look, I figured it was. I hustled out to the van for a copy of my latest CD ("Trails West"). Here he comes...I headed over and had a quick conversation, handed him the CD with cash for royalty for my cover of his song "Horsethief Moon".

"Business is business", sez Ian, stuffing the cash in his hip pocket. "I'll fire this CD up in the truck. Check out my new CD (Raven Singer; a reference to his new cowboy croak?), I won't be around forever, you know."

"Neither will we" I reply, "but the music will!"

Ian grabs his Cappucino to go and he's off to the city, Grand Marshall for the 100th running of the Calgary Stampede.

So, whadd'ya think, will he pick up my original tune, "The Drift"? One can always dream.

So endeth the tale...

The Kananaskis is another breathtaking sixty miles of mountains.


Rocky Mountain Bighorns are all along the road, coats still shaggy from the long winter. Pretty curious.


Here we are in Canmore, just down the road from Banff for a motel night with clean sheets, clean bodies and a great dinner. Our appetizer was a pizza with basil pesto, fresh figs, blue cheese, honey and some other cheese. Sounds funny but it was great! Main course was Halibut with eggplant, green beans and great spicing including yellow raisins. The Woodford Reserve washed it down well. Any wonder the restaurant is called Crazy Weed?

Tomorrow, up to Lake Louise for an afternoon hike. Perhaps a hotdog and beans nite!

Location:Canmore, Alberta