Homestead
Somewhere on the road
Fresh paint
Somewhere on the road
Something rotten
Today’s ride took me south to Del Bonita and the Whiskey Gap region. To the north, it’s gently rolling plains, but the plateau finally arrives and it flattens out substantially. Here wheat is the main crop, but there are plenty of oil wells in the area too and the rotten egg smell permeates.
The Whiskey Gap was an old trade route with America, primarily used to provide alcohol to the natives in exchange for goods. During Prohibition, the Gap provided a route for Canadians to ship illegal alcohol into the United States.
The Festival Express
Waterton International Peace Park
Bronco busting
I almost didn’t see this sculpture, given its distance from the highway and its color that matched the background where it was placed. Having caught it out of the corner of my eye, but traveling too fast to stop, I instead pulled in on my way north.
The sculptor is Bob Scriver, and the sculpture is a version of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s official belt buckle. Helena’s Montana Historical Society has a bronze version.
Signs
Road signs, revisited
Filed under: Long trips, On the road, Short trips, Stupidity plain and simple
I know I’ve said this before, but entering Ontario via Buffalo and the Peace Bridge is a pain in the ass when you’re trying to cover new ground and there are no signs directing you. The Buffalo side has plenty of signs to point you to the border. The Canadian side continues to be a mystery, and finding your way — especially if you’re new to the area (or visiting after decades of absence – is a royal pain.
The monolithic tourist information center visible across the way was a nice touch, but I never saw a sign pointing towards it from the convoluted road system, either. Thus, I was unable to discover Ontario in the fashion and manner to which, I’m certain, Ontario would desire.
The absence of meaningful directional signs until 20 miles past the border, on some road, is ridiculous. But of course, it’s Ontario the good, isn’t it? Idiots.
Here’s a Wikipedia explanation of concession roads in southern Ontario. After reading it, there is no doubt that southern Ontario has got to have one of the most convoluted and stupid highway naming conventions in North America. And I haven’t even begun to talk about those miniscule white on dark blue county road signs that are hidden on electrical posts and lighting standards. Try following those through a city some day.
Put up a series of meaningful directional signs, you morons. I’d prefer a variety that is plainly visible, of standard dimension and color, and that actually point me in a direction that I choose to proceed. Of course, that’s only me. I’m sure local yokels who never travel out of the valley and other miscreants are quite happy the way it is.
Otherwise, don’t bother — which appears to be the direction that Ontario chooses to follow.
Once more
Going to the sun highway
Well, all right, but you go first. And, no, I didn’t try any. It just didn’t look right.
The ride up to and across Logan Pass is just one mountain and one mountain valley after another. Have a look at some flowers instead, with streams running down the valleys and snow on the peaks.
But if you must have a picture of a hill, here’s one.
Yes, the Going to the Sun highway is a gorgeous ride. I’ve done it many times and appreciated it each and every time.
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Photos
