Yesterday while in camp, my wrist felt sprained and I could barely move my fingers or flex my wrist. I think it occurred from sleeping in a funny position with my wrist tucked under my chin. I then exacerbated the problem while hammering in my tent spikes with a rock. The wrist is swollen. Rob, the tour leader wanted me to go to the hospital or take the highway versus the trail.

In the morning, the wrist had im[proved considerably and riding was no problem. Many of the riders are under the weather with a couple ill with heavy congestion and others injuries. I rode the highway which was a few miles shorter and faster. The entire ride of under 30 miles was completed in under an hour and 30 minutes.

The riders who took the trail had to portage their bikes over a landslide which involved a human chain. I will ask if there are any photos. When I got into Sparwood, I went to a pharmacy and got a wrist bandage. I went to the campsite but no one was there so I went back to town and had a bite to eat at Tim Hortons. Thw wrist feels pretty good and we are in for a long ride of 85 miles tomorrow.

Spent part of the day trying to figure out a better system for camping anf riding. Set out all the stuff that I will need the next day and reorganized my bags.

I am typing this sitting next to the outhouse because it has electricity. Such is camp life. Kind of tough getting dressed in 30 degree temperature or going to the rest room in the middle of the night.

Had an interesting conversation with Wallace from the Northwest Territories. His father was a fur trader and he used to trap all sorts of critters plus go on whale hunts with the Inuit) preferred over Eskimo. Land of eternal daytime or nighttime. He also has done some rides with Bubba a St. Louis institution. I went on a ride with him as well. Wallace is thinking about doing the Katy Trail in the future.

Also might note that there is a thin layer of smoke in the mountains because of forest fires. Can smell it on occasion. It affects the photos and makes them appear hazy.

Tailwinds

Chuck