Day 19 - Bow Island, AB - REST DAY

Corinne Visscher
Jun 5
2 min read

I forgot to turn my alarm off, so I’m up early, but that’s no bother. The room has no kettle, nor mugs and my camping cup says “Do Not Microwave” (I heed this warning). I go outside and start setting up my camp stove (but play through my mind the consequences of accidentally burning the motel down). I look over across the highway, and spot a Tim Hortons at the Shell gas station. The lights look to be on. I decide, that I’d rather get soaked wet walking the 200 meters over there than be known as the biker who burned the town’s motel/ restaurant/ liquor store/ laundromat down.

Yesterday evening as I sat in the lounge to have my dinner and listened to the farmer chatter. Everyone was talking about the rain and the wind - this weather is a BIG deal. I think I’ve made the right decision to stay put.

Today is an unplanned rest day on account of the weather. Ideally I would have spent my rest day in Medicine Hat where there are more resources. I think this will be fine though - as I will have no option BUT to rest. Everything I need is right here, this place really is a stuck traveller’s dream!

I am in need of replacing two tire tubes, and there seems to be an alignment issue with my back deraileur, likely a result my messy technique with the two tire changes. I’ll do some research today to see if I can fix the issue myself.

I have a few things on my “to do” list today including bike repair research and consultation (as needed), laundry, sort and re-pack panniers, catch up on blog posts. I also want to do some planning for the ride over the next week. If I am correct, I should be crossing over into Saskatchewan in few day’s time.

This rest day is very long and I need to remind myself that the only thing I have to do today is to rest. The only place I need to be is right here. The continuing whistle of the wind through the door frame is a reminder of why I am here. I am grateful for this shelter.

Here are a few photos of the motel facilities - they are a bit dated - which I don’t mind at all.