Hoodoos & Horse Thieves Part 2

-A brief trip to the badlands of Drumheller Alberta-
...read part one here...

Adventurers: Crystal Kirkham, Naomi De Bruyn, Katrina Florence
Region: Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

DAY TWO (CONTINUED)
Saturday, April 18th 2015


DRUMHELLER

We continued our journey to Drumheller with an east on to Hwy 575 from Hwy 21. At Dry Island Buffalo Jump, Kat had run out of room on her camera's memory card, so we stopped in town to find one. As it turned out, that was much easier said than done, but it led to another mini-adventure.

The first stop was at a Shopper's Drug Mart, since that was the one location that Crystal was pretty much positive of.

Naomi:

I opted to wait in the van while Crystal and Kat did their running around. I was exhausted. The wind at Dry Island Buffalo Jump and the tossing and turning the night before had left me feeling completely wiped out. When mixed with the warmth of the sunshine coming in through the van's windows, I had about as much energy as a corpse. I hoped to catch a second wind at camp at was just thankful that the big hike was scheduled for the next day.

Crystal and Kat reported back. Oddly enough, no luck in the drugstore; the clerk told them that The Source was just across the street, however, neither hide nor hair of the electronics store was to be seen. Also, they'd stopped a stranger and asked him for directions and then one very important question — where was the best liquor store in town. It's not always about the price, but about the selection!

Since we had yet to pick up some alcohol for the trip, and it was one of the stops we had decided we were going to make since we were in town anyhow. Luckily, the liquor store was close to the electronics store. Perfect!

The Source was another bust. Then came Jerry's Liquor Store, apparently the best in town!

While I waited, that old familiar feeling came over me... My body felt like something important had been sucked out of it, and I couldn't see out of my right eye because there was a huge black blob in the way. An ocular seizure intruding upon my weekend. I relaxed into it and avoided having a panic attack on top of everything, and calmly waited.

The ladies came back with a variety of Bailey's flavours, some Crabbies, and even a bottle of vodka. Yes, we are going camping for a single night! Apparently Crystal gave Kat a quick lesson in Canadian alcohol-related vernacular while they were gone. She learned the difference between a boot mickey, a mickey, a 2-4, 40 pounder and a 60 pounder.

I needed chocolate. Thankfully, Walmart was next on the list. Protein and chocolate are my friends when I feel like this. For those of you shaking your heads and thinking, it's diabetes — it's not. I was tested more than once for diabetes, but passed with flying colours every time. My neurologist hasn't figured it out, but as he said, “If it works, it works.” It works, for now...

I am a little fuzzy around the edges about that shopping expedition, except that Crystal was amazing and found a bin of Easter Eggs. I left money in her capable hands and tottered off to the bathroom, alone and feeling worse. I returned thinking about an ice cold Coke, but she had already made it through the line and was gathering up the bags.

I snagged an egg. It was filled with miniature smarties. Sticky sweetness filled my mouth. I despised the weakness within and the chocolate in my mouth in almost equal measure. I leaned against a kiosk trying to appear normal and make some sense of everything around me, including the snow trying desperately to fall outside, as Crystal ran off to get me a Coke and Kat emptied her camera's memory onto CDs.

Out of nowhere - Food. Compulsion. Must have food! Cheap food.... McDonalds! Crystal drove. Thru the drive through and then back to the parking lot of Walmart to pick up Kat. However, there was no Kat. We ate and waited, then Crystal charged the store to see what it had done with our friend. Surely photos can't take that long, can they?

They didn't. Browsing can be dangerous, but oddly fulfilling.

Finally they returned, and I'm so tired all I want to do is put my head down. However, this IS a once in a lifetime experience and I am damned if I'm going to let the effects of some stupid condition get in the way of my enjoying it!

It is the one thing that I didn't want to have happen, and it happened. I can only be thankful that it was in the parking lot and not on the side of a cliff somewhere. Now everyone has seen and knows that I need sugar or proteins stuffed in my face and it'll go away.

I'm not certain what brought it on, I never am. These 'breakthrough' episodes are kind of odd. No rhyme nor reason...lots of stress, excitement, lack of sleep, lack of water, lack of....yadda yadda yadda....

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

It wasn't long until we were finally on our way out of town, driving towards The Hoodoo RV & Campground Resort. The wind had picked up once again and with the wind came thundershowers. We were getting a little worried about conditions, but all more than willing to carry on. A bit of rain is nothing to West Coasters!

It was easy to find the campground, and we chose a spot as close to the river as we could possibly
get. It was a nice little spot to set up camp, although there wasn't much privacy and not many trees to hook a tarp up to. The differences between camping in BC and camping in AB are really amazing!

The winds were buffeting us about at 35 kph, and touched with a kiss of winter. Naturally they were blowing right at us, and there was no other way to set up the tent. All of a sudden there was a lull, it was like a miracle! The brand new ground tarp fit under the tent perfectly, only needing to be folded back a couple of inches on one side, and was staked down right away. The tent was erected and then we loaded as much of our gear as possible inside in order to keep it from breaking free of the tie downs and blowing away.

THE HOODOOS

Our camp was close to the Hoodoos, which was nice as less travel time meant more hiking time!

For those of you who have never seen the Hoodoos, you are truly missing out on one of the wonders of the world. Hoodoos are created from erosion, and they look a little like stone mushrooms, some of which tower high and other are a little closer to the ground. They are also known as Tent Rock, Fairy Chimney, and Earth Pyramid and are just a wonderful delight to the imagination.

The word hoodoo originates from the Hausa language of West Africa, and means 'to arouse resentment towards someone else.' Hoodoo was actually a distinct magic practice introduced to North America in the 18th century, although different in nature than the more familiar voodoo. Aboriginal peoples used 'hoodoo' to refer to evil, supernatural forces. Some believed hoodoos were giants turned to stone by the Great Spirit due to their evil deeds.

Crystal:

I have been to see the hoodoos several times since I moved to Alberta, I have always loved visiting them and climbing the landscape that surrounds them, but I've never had a good chance to climb all the way to the top of the surrounding hills. I've always been with a young kid or with a friend who didn't want to climb, and I would feel guilty for leaving them too long on the bottom so that I could climb to the top. For me, part of the adventure is sharing it with others.

Naomi:

I've been here before — more than once — more than twice — enough times that I was horrified and heartbroken by the sight of fences around one of my favourite natural phenomena. Yes, human stupidity and disrespect have wrought damage on the Hoodoos just south of Drumheller. Enough so that they now feel they have to protect them from further harm. I'm waiting to see the 20 foot high fences with razor ribbon and sirens and lights. Seriously.

It was crowded, and even thought terribly saddened by the inability to actually touch these wonderful 'monoliths' like I had so many times past, I was overjoyed to be there.

We climbed up the mountain behind the hoodoos, each of us going to different stages. Crystal gained the summit without any trouble, but she is a self-professed mountain goat (there's got to be something of that blood in her family — you ought to see her move, it's magic!). I listened to my knee and stopped about 2/3 of the way... I knew if I went up that steep incline, I'd be useless for the next day. Kat was as close to the hoodoos as possible, enjoying the statuesque beauty and breaking free of her comfort zone as she did so. This was her first experience with the hoodoos and she was thoroughly and completely entranced by their alien beauty. It was wonderful to watch!

The magic of the hoodoos was alive and pulsating from deep within the earth and up through us. A delicious experience! What a wonderful place to be. Sadly, we couldn't stay there forever.

There was a suspension bridge to be checked out, and it does have a tendency to get dark early at this time of year...

We drove north once again after doing a quick 'drive by' on the campsite. The sunshine felt absolutely amazing, now that we were safe from the punishing winds — that frozen knife edge was just brutal!


THE STAR MINE SUSPENSION BRIDGE


The Star Mine Suspension Bridge is yet another of the dozens of tourist attractions in the Drumheller area. This pedestrian suspension bridge is 117 meters long and crosses the Red Deer River. It was originally built in 1931 for the workers of the Star Mine, and then rebuilt in 1958 in order to commemorate some of the rich mining history of the area.

The water rushes by just a few feet below, a dead muddy brown colour. The bridge will sway a little but it takes a lot of work to make it rock, and with all the tourists it is hard to pull off a moment of fun! Amazing how many people are actually afraid of the bridge breaking in this day and age. There is not even close to enough weight on it with mere people.

On the far side of the bridge there are a series of trails and rolling hills to be traversed, with remnants of the mining activity that once dominated the area still to be found. Leftover train or cart tracks, rusted cables, and even a small bit of cement foundation and a light standard.

A rabbit was trying to enjoy the sunshine and a nibble as we approached. His white coat turning to brown, he bolted.

This is a lovely area for a walk about, perhaps a picnic lunch, and the right company to make it perfect!

...stay tuned for Part 3...

Hoodoos & Horse Thieves Part 1

-A brief trip to the badlands of Drumheller Alberta-

Adventurers: Crystal Kirkham, Naomi De Bruyn, Katrina Florence
Region: Drumheller, Alberta, Canada

This might be a little confusing as I’m going to mash a couple of points of view here, just due to the fact that there is some great stuff from both of us… we will get this figured out and smoothed out as we go along, but for now, please just bear with us as we clamber to the heights and plunge to the depths of Alberta’s Badlands.

DAY ONE:
Friday, April 17th 2015

ALSIKE, AB

Naomi:

My bags are packed, I’m ready to go … ( to the tune of ‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’ by Peter, Paul & Mary, or John Denver, or even Chantal Kreviazuk)

I am filled with excitement — the unknown, a new setting & experience. I’m also filled with trepidation — away from home, so much can go wrong both with me and at home.

I definitely need new gear for backpacking. I’ve got this HUGE pile by the door and it’s really bugging me. We are only going for the weekend, after all! Ultralight equipment will be really nice! Thankfully this is a camping trip, but backpacking is being planned!

Katrina showed up and we loaded my gear into her van, we stopped once to get the tires checked, due to a gauge repeatedly lighting up. Better safe than sorry, and it’s only a moment to check the pressure. Tires were fine, so something was malfunctioning with the sensor.

It took awhile, but finally we hit Highway 20 and followed it South. Red Deer bound, with our humour intact and no serious expectations; just a wonderful sense of anticipation and excitement filling both of us.

RED DEER, AB

Crystal:
As I waited for Naomi and Kat to arrive at my place before hiking, I was feeling both elated and frightened. I was so excited that we were finally going to do this, but still couldn’t quite shake off the feeling that it might not happen. Months of talking and planning had brought us to this jump off point, but it was past the time that I had expected my partners-in-crime to arrive. Dinner was ready, a simple feast of salmon, asparagus and red rice, but there was no one else to eat it. So, I waited and I worried.

Over an hour past their projected arrival time, they finally arrived with a very good explanation as to the delay. Something about tire pressure and a sensor — to be honest I was barely listening. I was just happy that they had arrived safely.

Naomi was all for heading out to Drumheller that night, but it was already 2030, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. I knew, for me, rushing out would mean forgetting things, a long drive and setting up in the dark. It was not an idea I cherished after a long day at work and then a long drive.

Instead, we ate the lukewarm dinner that I had made, drank some wine and talked until it was far too late for us to be talking. Or, as Kat said before falling asleep, “I’m crashing here…”

I, on the other hand, was horribly excited to finally go hiking and I could barely sleep. I tossed and turned most of the night, waking early to the sounds of my friends sleeping in the other room. I laid there in silence, wishing for sleep, until I heard the sounds of other people waking. That was my cue to get up and get on with this first day.

DAY TWO
Saturday, April 18th 2015

A quick and simple breakfast started us off before we packed up and headed off to Drumheller. Of course, before leaving Red Deer we made the required Canadian road trip stop at Tim Horton’s. We took Highway 595 east out of Red Deer, then headed south on Highway 21.

As we drove along in high spirits, talking about writing, writers and how insane we all are for even thinking of embarking on this journey, we passed a simple road sign. It said, ‘Dry Island Buffalo Jump.’

Do we…don’t we…?!?!

Within metres of passing it, Kat was told she had to see it or she might regret it for the rest of her life. She had never been to any buffalo jump before and had no idea what she was missing.

We turned around and took the side road.

DRY ISLAND BUFFALO JUMP

Gently rolling grasslands of the prairie follow the road along for a time, then suddenly vanish. The Red Deer River slices through a canyon, as it has for centuries. The beauty is awe inspiring as shadows play tag with the earth and the clouds, and the wind cuts like a knife. However, nothing will detract from the rugged beauty as we gaze across the divide at a grassy flat-topped mesa rising above the river.

Known as the Dry Island, this mesa was never surrounded by water. Streams carved gullies in the soft earth as they flowed toward the Red Deer River. Over the centuries, one of these gullies became so wide and deep that part of the prairie became the isolated mesa that you can see today.

As with much of the badlands there is history galore here, it is almost a palpable entity. This mesa was where the Plains Indians drove buffalo over the edge, 427 feet to their deaths. This mesa offered the People survival. It is a rather sobering thought as you realize that not only were the Native Indians able to survive in spite of this incredibly harsh land, but because of it.

We explored the upper parking area for a time, admiring the view and reading the information plaques for visitors. Then, we drove down the steep and curvy road, into the canyon. Each turn brought another incredible view to light, and something else to talk about with awe and excitement. For Crystal, each new ridge brought an urge to climb, but that would be for another time.

We made a decision that sometime in the future we would climb the mesa and look out over the canyon from a different viewpoint.

At the bottom we looked around a little and met one half of a couple who were kayaking the Red Deer and had chosen this particular area to camp for the night. They were using a hammock tent that is on our list of equipment to try out, but that won’t be this trip! We were all enthralled by the beauty, but none more so than Kat. She just kept uttering “Oh my gosh… Oh my gosh…” Sometimes there just are no words to capture the sentiment when something is overpowering and beyond imagining.

We piled back into the van and headed up the side of the canyon, silence pretty much prevailing. Within moments, there was absolutely no trace of the canyons existence.

Recently there has been some excavating done here, resulting in dinosaur discoveries. Yes, dinosaurs! The Alberta Badlands are famous for them.

To quote Crystal – “Mother Nature writing a story in her own skin...”



...On to Drumheller in Part 2...

In the beginning there was just an idea....

This is the beginning of what, we hope, will be the journey of a lifetime. Our dreams are big, but we're starting small. Our goal is to inspire, entertain and inform all that same time.

• To inspire people of all fitness levels and from all walks of life to go out and enjoy mother nature. 
• To entertain you with the stories of crazy writers trying to learn the ropes of hiking, backpacking and traveling.
• To inform you with what we learned from others as well as through our own trial and error.

These adventures and the book that we plan to create from it is just the beginning of so much more.
We would like to thank you all in advance for your support and encouragement.