Aug 24, 2015 Elkford to Sparwood

It was cold this morning but not as cold as it was the morning out of Banff.   I had left my sweatshirt in the van so I had to get make a run out to get it.   The sky was so smoky you could hardly see the hills. 

The ride was only 42 kms down the side of the road.  I was driving down the highway and it was only 36 kms.    I had to make a stop at the grocery store with the chef.  

The grocery store turned out to be directly across the street from the big truck in Sparwood. This truck is the world’s biggest dump truck.   The big truck is a Titan which was built in 1969 by GM.  It was powered by a 3300 hp diesel electric motor and could haul  350 tons of coal. It ran from the pit to the main processing facility.  It took only 12 minutes to make the trip and the truck ran 24 hours a day seven days a week.  While it was a big work horse it was a one of a kind machine and every breakdown meant special custom made parts and a turbo charger failure finally ended its career. 

The campsite is right off the main highway so it looks like it is going to be a noise night. 

Sadly the other Canadian staffer has decided to leave today so I get to drive him into Fernie.   Alan will be missed.

On an up beat note Sofia our cook prepared a fabulous meal of pork chops (one of my favorites) with salad, rice and stir fried vegetables.  There was a lot of cheering around the camp for her tonight.   

Tomorrow is one of the biggest and most difficult on the tour.  It is 148 kms with two passes to climb.  I will not be able to follow with the 4X4 so I will have to take another route into meet the riders for lunch. 

Terry