Surprises...

[DDT (12)]

You just never know what waits around the next bend or over the next rise... Well, we all know adventure and delightful surprises await those willing to venture forth, but we simply can't predict the details or guess in what form those treasures might come to us.

Sometimes unpleasantness lurks, but far more often really amazing sights and/or experiences lie out there just out of view... to astound us, occasionally confound us, but always to enrich our lives and make us glad we made the effort. And so we go... again and again...

I was really happy when Trout Dude informed me of his upcoming plans to return to Calgary, AB. Happier still, when he invited me to become part of those plans! He's been trying for some time to persuade his dearly beloved, Water Bug, to make a trip up there.

He was eager to expose her to the incredible world many of us have already sampled and to which we've become hopelessly addicted... The scenery is well worth going to see, but to do so from the seat of a motorcycle and to experience all that goes with it... well, that does make all the difference, doesn't it!

Shelia still works outside the home, plus she has several other responsibilities and assorted 'tethers' to hold her close to home, making the time for long distance travel very difficult to arrange. Dennis worked out a suitable compromise for her, however, and a plan was developed...

While she could not take the time to ride her own Valk up there and back, she was able to fly, spend eight days or so, then fly back home... so that became the plan. Dennis would ride his scoot up there and back, and she would ride with him while there... I got to travel with Dennis on another road trip... something great in this for each of us!

For Shelia, the trip really began when she showed up at the airport in New Orleans... and she met up with a celebrity! Yep, Troy Landry, a star Cajun gator hunter in the TV series 'Swamp People' ("Choot 'em, 'lizebeth!") was attempting to 'fly under the radar' and out of the spotlight, but Shelia recognized him and got a pic with him without blowing his cover...

ally bank locations

She arrived in Calgary, and her entourage was waiting... Terry showed us some of the sites around town, then we made our way to his house.

Along the way...



mobil station finder

'Art work' in front of an oil company office building...



Following our site-seeing tour of Calgary, Terry took us to a famous local eatery... Best burgers anywhere around, we were told... I can't dispute that claim!



A much larger city than I'd known, in spite of the fact I'd traveled around it several times and even spent time there with Terry once before... It's still growing, too, thanks to the hit & miss oil boom that occasionally has a hiccup... Any local economy is heavily impacted by such a dominant industry, and Calgary's fortunes are no exception...

We arrived at our generous hosts' home and our 'jet-set traveler' was allowed to unpack and prepare for much needed rest... The rest of us did the same.

DDT

[trout dude]

Great write up Bruce Well we enjoyed our trip to the max it was awesome traveling with you as always keep on rolling and keep the storyline going stay safe my friend and stay in touch

[Bigwolf]

Bruce,
Nice write up and great photos.

I think this entire year has been jammed full of surprises.

Keep rambling and keep writing my friend.


Bigwolf

[Rams]

Another Excellent Adventure.   Thanks for taking us along.

Can't wait to see the movie of Bruce's Life Journey.    I can only imagine the film crew's travel budget.  

Rams

[cookiedough]

that is a cool pic with Troy Landry, keeper for sure.

Shoot em Clint!    Shoot em.....

[Farside]

Very nice trip report Bruce. How nice is it to have friends living in such a beautiful area and to ride with good friends. I'm sure Sheila had a great trip up and back. Great pic of her with Troy at the airport. I recognized him but couldn't put a finger on it, of course.  Keep the reports coming and as always stay safe.