I spoke with Mike and Sheila about noon. They were in Fort St. John.

Earlier, they had to cross a steel bridge that was open. Many thanks to Everett Patterson for bringing his truck and trailer so that he could haul the wagon across. Mike trailered the horses across. This bridge was across the Peace River.  5378

The Grating on the bridge (not good for horse shoes)

The middle of the bridge.

Peace River.

One of the many people still using horses in that area.

I got word this afternoon that Mike and Sheila were getting ready to cross a open span bridge that is expanded steel type. In other words you can see through it. This bridge is just a few miles from Taylor, so I’m assuming they should get close.

Here’s a picture of a bridge the crossed earlier in the day. This bridge is all wood underneath and was built in 1942-1943 time frame. It is at Mile Post 21 on the Alaskan Highway. 5357

Mike and Sheila are camped on the BC Miller place in Sweetwater BC. Had a good day.

Field after field of Canola Oil Seed being grown.

Thanks Edie for sending these. Much appreciated.

With Mike and Sheila are JudyAnn and Mike Slocum

Had to put the window back in after the parade.

Had to design a new Yoke Stop while there.

Mike and Sheila Haveman, Mike and JudyAnn Slocum, with Dan Harder holding the horses.

Mike and Sheila, ready to leave Slocum’s Ranch.

Mike and Sheila made good time today and are now in Bay Tree Alberta. They were held hostage all weekend by the events of the Rycroft Fair. Chuck Wagon races, Chariot Races, Banquet, and Parade. It was a much needed rest and gave them a chance to get out of the wagon and do something fun.

Last night, Mike and Sheila were honored as Guests at the Rycroft Banquet. That was when they were told they were going to be the Grand Marshalls in today’s parade.

They got first place in the parade. Afterwards, they went and watched the horse pulling contest. The winning team (not the team shown) pulled 12,000 pounds. This evening is the Chuck Wagon races and Mike and Sheila are going to make the first lap. (more pictures later)

Mike and Sheila are being honored as Guests tonight in the Rycroft Supper tonight. Tomorrow, they are in the Rycroft parade and later in the day, they will make the first lap for the Rycroft Chuck Wagon Races! Sheila promised lots of pictures.

Mike and Sheila are camped on the ranch of Mike and Judy Ann Slocum. This is the farrier that is going to reshoe the girls. Because he wants to do it right, it’s going to delay Mike and Sheila until Friday or Saturday. He’s building shoes out of a special material that should last considerably longer.

This ranch is interesting in that years ago, this was the last fuel stop before starting over the 1800 mile Alaskan-Canadian Highway. Hard to imagine these days. They have kept the buildings and fuel tanks intact.    The ranch had a sign:

Lost Arrow Ranch, Last Fill-up before the Alaskan Highway

The other thing that makes this ranch interesting is that they have killed over 2 dozen bears in the area. So Mike has put the team under a light and is keeping a close watch. Also, he is locked and loaded.

Sheila shot a snapshot of the old tanks.

This is a picture of the special shoes that are being built.   The pads you see welded on are of a very hard material so that they will last.

If I got the directions right, here is a Google Earth picture of where they are staying.

Although they are in Spirit River, by now, some nice folks sent me some pictures from Bezanson. 5001

From Ali @ Woking General Store

And from Lindsey Ogden a picture of Kayla Slaney and Sheila

And also from Lindsey a picture of Mike and Sheila.

Beer Can Chicken!