Originally posted from Beach, North Dakota, this update was split into multiple parts (see related articles) for the sake of reducing the loading time due to the images involved…

Went to Edmonton after that, to see the largest shopping mall in the world (they have dolphins in there, as well as a massive triple loop roller coaster). There is also a Santa Maria (where Christopher Columbus left his ship after his return to India - see the missive from Couer d’Alene if you do not understand this reference).

We also saw national patriotism in the city for Canada Day, where we sampled a free pancake and maple syrup breakfast in pouring rain, watched a street parade and then ooh’ed and aah’ed at the fireworks at the end of the day. They get a little bit more excited about their country than we Aussies do, and they are supposed to be relatively modest compared to the USA…

Down to the town of Vulcan, where we met Michelle, the person who works in the Science and Trek station. Basically, the town was named after the God of Fire, but when Star Trek introduced Spock, they had a new thing on their hands entirely. Michelle is “not really into Trek”, but she does own a Starfleet uniform and has altered a golf cart into a shuttlecraft which she drove to work, until the police stopped her because it violated road laws.

Afterward, went to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, a world heritage site where native Americans used to chase buffalo off a cliff to kill them. Apparently, one day, a brave decided to stand under the cliff to watch them go over the top, but the hunt was good and so many went over, they crushed his skull. Hence the name of the place.

Came back into the USA last night and experienced the joys of a border crossing where all does not go well. Were one step away from the guard snapping on the latex gloves. Basically, he felt that since we had bought the car and had a US address to buy the car, we were trying to pass ourselvees off as US citizens - perish the thought! - and threatened to cut up our US visas and impound the car before dumping us on the Canadian side of the border. Not sure why he was so aggressive about it all, but it was certainly way down on the list of “pleasant things to be threatened with”…

He especially did not like me. I hate it when that happens - I’m such a likeable guy…*grin* (this is the point where you all agree, or at least, don’t disagree).

Now in North Dakota, having spent all day driving over Montana. Incidentally, there *IS* a speed limit in Montana. On 28th April, 1999, they adopted a speed limit like all the other states, so we were not able to do 100mph. Bother.

Going to Bismarck, North Dakota to see the 4th of July celebrations, and sing “Yankee Doodle Dandy” with the best of them.

Just another travel tip - if you feel like taking a credit card overseas and you’re thinking American Express, don’t. Take a fork. Put the fork in your wallet. When you feel you need to have pain and anguish, get the fork and poke it into your eye. It’s less painful than dealing with American Express. Trust me.

Categories: Travel, Odyssey 2001