July 9

Well, driving along, I decided to write a detective novel, circa 1940.  So far, I have this.

     I was sitting in my office, hung over as usual, trying to remember what day of the week it was, when           

     the dame walked in looking like like a tall, cool glass of water on the hottest day of the year.

     "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE?!"

     The dame was hysterical.  Most dames are.  Still, it answered some questions, like, when did I get a 

      bureau in my office and why was my desk covered with a duvet?  Maybe it wasn't my desk.  

     Maybe it wasn't a desk at all.  Maybe I'd had more to drink than I remembered.

     "WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN MY HOUSE?!"

     The dame was still hysterical, only now I noticed she had a pair of thirty-eights.  And a gun.  I 

      figured I should leave.  It probably wasn't my office.

Anyway, what do you think?  Feel free to compliment extravagantly.  If you don't like it, keep your rotten opinion to yourself.  I suppose if I don't hear from anyone I will just give it up and be left with only the bitter ashes of my artistry.

I am in Medicine Hat, Alberta, today.  Had to travel through Swift Current to get here.  I think Canadian town names are just outfreakingSTANDING!  I am the first kid on my block to spend consecutive days in Moose Jaw and Medicine Hat.  Am I cool or what?  Calgary tomorrow.  Two fairly short days, a bit more than 200 today, fewer miles tomorrow.  I am now over 7000 miles for the trip.  If the weather is decent, I plan to hit the Canadian Rockies parks after my Calgary visit.  Six national parks and several provincial parks.  Just driving through should be stunning, assuming the weather is half decent.

Saw wildlife today.  Ducks, coots, pelicans and pronghorn.  At one point, a hawk came swooping in close to the ground on a collision course with me.  I ducked, it swerved and all was fine.  I have also killed a good bit of wildlife in the form of Arthropoda, mostly insects.  For sheer proof, look at my bike and helmet.  I wash the helmet every night, but the bike needs a good cleansing.  The country has turned from flat to more broken up, high plains terrain.  I find it more interesting.

I am going to relax, have a good dinner and sleep in tomorrow.  Of course, I tried to sleep in today and still woke up at 4:30.  Still, 4:30 beats hell out of 2:30.

Forgot to mention something yesterday.  My boots dried out.  For me, this is a big deal.