Our Last Day In Drumheller and the Hoodoo Trail.

Today we spent most of our time checking out the Hoodoo Trail and hanging around the hoodoos, those fascinating formations that look like they’ve leapt straight out of a sci-fi novel. Truly, nature is pretty awesome and I couldn’t help but marvel at the beauty of these endless valleys and the layer of history that can be found in the Canadian Badlands.

Our hike around these weathered sandstone pillars, standing tall amidst the prairie landscape, was an experience to be sure. It was breathtaking, humbling, and an absolute visual treat all rolled into one.

The trek was a bit challenging – some steep climbs, loose gravel, and the sun beating down on us, but being able to climb up and see the view all around kind of made it all worth the effort. Not to mention there was some great drone shots to be had that added to the adventurous day.

While we were captivated by the natural spectacle around us, our youngest family member, Corbin, seemed to have his mind fixated on something else – pizza! As tempting as the thought of a meal at Boston Pizza was, we decided to stick to our healthier snack options for the day.

But, as anyone who knows Corbin would guess, his pizza plea didn’t end there. He took his campaign right through our visit to the Star Mine Suspension Bridge, and all along the 11 bridges trail to the hamlet of Wayne Alberta and persisted well into the lazy afternoon at the Cabin. His tenacity could give seasoned politicians a run for their money!

Finally, as we ended our day, tired but thrilled by our hoodoo adventure, and in the afternoon heat Corbin managed to win his pizza plea. Perhaps we were just too tired to find something else – either way, Boston Pizza was our dinner stop.

All in all today was a pretty fantastic blend of outdoor adventure, family fun, lounging in the cabin and of course, pizza negotiations. While we may not have figured out the mystery of how the hoodoos were formed or what makes Boston Pizza so irresistible to Corbin, we sure made some unforgettable memories.

As dawn breaks tomorrow, we’ll say our fond farewells to the Alberta Badlands. A land of mystery and raw beauty, it’s been a remarkable stay, but we must be on the road for we are journeying southward, though Brooks, Taber, Wagner and Milk River as well as all the other small Alberta hamlets along the way. 

Underneath the vast expanse of the prairie sky, the road will stretch out before us – a ribbon of promise leading us toward Coutts, our final Canadian sojourn. For here we cross over into the mighty USofA! 

For ahead lies our final destination of Yellowstone, its name synonymous with wild, untamed beauty, but the route there promises to be equally compelling. We’ll traverse the Heart of Montana through a magnificent panorama of what’s often referred to as Big Sky Country. And hopefully Its nickname won’t disappoint. I understand that the sky here stretches into eternity, a vast azure canvas that meets the rolling landscape at a hazy, distant horizon.

Montana is nature’s masterpiece, a wild and rugged land of towering peaks, endless plains, and deep, mysterious forests. The I-15 cuts through all this, serving as an asphalt thread that weaves the state’s natural tapestry together. You’ll pass by Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, an emerald jewel tucked away amid the state’s scenic splendors. Verdant, lush, and alive with the chatter of wildlife, it’s a spot that reminds you of nature’s unabashed vitality.

We’re set to traverse a diverse tapestry of landscapes; from sprawling plains to towering peaks and deep, enveloping forests. The road promises to be our guide through Montana’s wild beauty, an unbroken line drawing us through nature’s masterpiece.

One particularly exciting prospect is passing by the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Rumours paint it as a vibrant green gem within Montana’s many splendors, a natural orchestra of wildlife sounds and rustling foliage. We’re keen to see if reality matches the vivid images we’ve formed in our minds.

The route’s dotted small towns, whispers of simpler times, are another source of eager curiosity. Stepping into local diners and general stores, encountering the locals and their stories – these moments promise to add a rich layer of experience to our journey.

As we prepare for this journey along I-15 through Montana, we’re not merely gearing up for a drive. It feels more like we’re on the brink of a great adventure, an exploration of unspoiled beauty. There’s a sense of wonder, a thrill of the unknown, and we’re more than ready to dive in headfirst.

We’re on the precipice of something new, a world of towering trees and sprawling meadows, of beasts roaming freely, and the wild, unscripted drama of nature. This is the allure of the journey – the promise of what lies ahead. And as we pack up, ready to hit the road once more, I can’t help but feel that thrill of anticipation. Yellowstone, here we come!

But before setting off on this Montana-bound journey, we had a little housekeeping to do. Our companion, #tinythejeep, was a sight for sore eyes after our wild romp through all the back roads and razer trails in Northern Alberta mixed with all that dust from the southern badlands and everything in between. all this mud and the layers of dust clinging stubbornly to the jeep was like a badge of honour, but it was time to give it a good scrub.

We found a wand wash not far from our cabin, which only took cash, so we found another wand wash that was a little farther from our cabin that was in the 21st century and took Credit Card. Armed with a pressure washer and a fair amount of elbow grease, I sprayed away the remnants of our last adventure. As the dirt washed away, it was like a sense of closure for our Alberta escapades.

With #tinythejeep clean and gleaming, we were ready for the next leg of our journey. Montana, here we come!

And so, our hoodoo hike and pizza saga marked another great day of our vacation. Can’t wait to see what today has in store for us! Until then, it’s signing off from the heart of the Canadian Badlands.