Just got off the phone with Sheila. Mike and Sheila have met some very wonderful folks. Last night, they camped next to a Holliday Inn Express. This morning they went over and got a shower. While they were gone, somebody broke into the wagon. They stole all the whiskey, and cigarettes. They also took the hobbles off of the horses. Why on earth would they do that to the horses? I can understand the Whiskey and Cigarettes, but the horses? I just don’t understand. Luckily, Jane and Suzie are good critters and didn’t take off.

I just got off the phone with Sheila and they are doing fine. Brent, watch out what you eat when you visit!

They are still having a blast and have met many many wonderful folks. They have had to suffer through eating moose, antelope, deer, rabbit, and while going through those pains, had to drink Crown Royal. I only hope they survive.

They are in Mayerthorpe Alberta and just finished their laundry and wouldn’t you know it, it’s raining.

I’m sending them up a cell phone in the next week and I’m trying to program it so they’ll be able to contact folks. I have to put in a string of numbers for them to make international calls so I want to program in everything so Sheila just has a contact list. So send me your phone number if you want it in their phone.

We haven’t heard from them in a week, but thanks to the many wonderful folks that have seen, met, visited, and welcomed them onto their place, we now know where they are. Evansburg Alberta.

On my map program, I show them to be 1024 miles from home and still chugging along.

I do want you to know that they are suffering through hard times having to eat home cooked moose, tators, and such. But they’ll survive. lol Don’t worry!

Soon, they won’t have an excuse to call. I’ve made sure of that.

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Sheila called and gave me an update. They are North of Rocky Mountain House in the middle of nowhere. But she wanted to tell me that a semi driver stopped and said he’ll buy breakfast. Then he gave them a box of cereal and a carton of milk.

Another guy by the name of Jerry chased them down. Seems he’s a driver our of Sundre and he’s passed them several times. This time he stopped and gave them 2 bags of apple treats, a big bag of oats and as Sheila said, “The biggest bottle of Crown Royal she’s ever seen.”

All’s well, they’re clopping along North.

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I have to make a correction. The other day when I spoke to Sheila, they planned on making it to Sundre Alberta. They stopped short on a ranch owned by LLoyd (didn’t catch the last name) and spent the night there. When they got up in the morning, they noticed some damage to where the tongue connects to the front axle assembly and it needed welding. Lloyd was able to get them patched so they could make it into Sundre by towing it with a Bob Cat. They had to stay in Sudre a couple days while they could get it fixed properly. The entire tongue and front axle had to be cut off the wagon, fixed, and then reattached. Now it’s better then new.

While in Sundre, Jane and Suzie got new tenny runners. A guy by the name of Jason Carmichael (sp) did the job. Jane had a minor problem with her one hoof and kept wearing the shoe out. Jason built a corrective shoe for her. The shoes were treated with borium and Mike said the shoes are outstanding and so is Jane’s walk. Many thanks to Jason who did the job out of the kindness of his heart.

They are continueing up Highway 22 to Highway 43.   (Believe it is 22 to 54 to 22) Eventually getting up to Rocky Mountain House.

Mike said that he’s getting around a lot better now. Spirits are high and their headed North.

They are in Grizz country, so they are keeping a closer eye on the team at night.

I got an update from Bill who met them on the road. Mike and Sheila were in the Dog Pound. No, not jail, the way I understand it is the Dog Pound is a bar. lol Later, I got an update from Karen who met them on the road. Many thanks to Bill and Karen for updates. It’s always great to hear from folks who meet up with Mike and Sheila. Sheila posted a comment so I’m guessing she’s got phone service again. But not sure.

They are headed for Sundre Alberta today. Weather has finally broke and they’re actually getting a little sun.   But, more rain in the forecast tomorrow and for days to come.

Edit – Just received a email from Bill, Dog Pound is actually a town.   I stand corrected.

Just got word from Greg, Mike and Sheila are in Airdrie Alberta. It’s 42 F or 9 C and raining hard. Currently pulling into the fairgrounds. I’m talking to Sheila as I type this.

When they leave there, they are headed to Madden where they’ll get new tenny runners for Jane and Suzie.  They did stay an extra day in Strathmore due to rain.    Then, it’s the Cowboy Trail headed North.

I swear, it’s like the three stooges.    Sheila said, “we’re going to take 22 to 43″ and in the back ground Mike says, “no, we’re on 22 headed for 772 which we’ll take to 456″.    So Sheila says to me, “Yeah, we’re on 772 and when we leave we’ll be on 43 going to 22.”    I said, “HUH?   Just tell me the town you’re headed for.”   That’s when she said, “Madden Alberta.     Hey, it’s always fun on the phone.

I just got a call from Sheila (finally after 10 days of no coms, she borrowed a phone).

They are currently in Strathmore at the fair grounds. They don’t know if they’re going to leave as the weather has been real nasty. So they are watching the weather to see if it’s going to break.

I was informed by the RCMP that they are not allowed to take the team and wagon into Calgary. I informed them just now so they told me they are going to head straight North of Strathmore up to 564 and then go West to 20 and then go North again.

No idea where they will camp tonight, depends on if the weather lets them out of Strathmore. But they should be in Strathmore at least a couple more houirs.

Also got an update on how Mike is doing. The wagon run over his legs and they are pretty bruised up. But he’s up and about, just a little slow getting started.

Wagon busted a couple bows, the door and the horses broke the evener. The guy that took Sheila into town was kind enough to give them a ride to a guy he new that used teams. That guy gave Mike and Sheila a new evener and wouldn’t take payment. Thanks!

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They are on the move again. They made it to Strathmore yesterday.

Mike was in a wreck. Banged up some. Bruised ego. You know Mike, he won’t admit if he’s hurt.

They stopped outside of Carseland Alberta. A passerby stopped and chatted and took Sheila into town to get some grocery’s. Mike went to unharness the team and Jane spooked. He got run over by the horses and two tires of the wagon. Wagon got busted up some and needs some repairs. Mike says he’s fine with just some road rash.

They are going to spend a couple days camped there for now.

As soon as I get any word, I’ll post it here. Because of cost, the phone is prohibitive. Sheila’s son Daniel come over and let me know this morning. I’m sure that when everything settles down they’ll give me a call.

Jim

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