Day 8 July 31, 2026 Spirit River Alberta to High Level Alberta 247.0 miles
Another partly cloudy day. Not too much wind at least to start. Just as we got in the car to go a young man stopped to look at the car. Then he went to get his daughter out of the car. Guessing she is about three. She was too shy to tell us her name but she thought honking the horn was funny.
We tried for gas but it seems a different system not the traditional brands. The next town is only a few miles away and Gas Buddy says they have some. So off we went. We followed the directions given by Gas Buddy but that fueling point no longer exists. A young lady was walking by with her baby in a stroller. She said to follow the road back to the highway and we would find three stations at the highway intersection. Sure enough right there where we were to turn were three large stations.
The land here is quite flat with large fields of canola and grain. The canola fields are such a bright yellow and the grain is mostly a dark green. The contrast between the two crops side by side is stunning. Two bucks and one doe were in the fields on their way somewhere. They were larger than some deer. Glad they stayed in the field but nice for the short viewing.
We did drop down to a river and then climbed back up. The gorge went quite a ways. The land on either side however was mostly flat.
We ate lunch at a Subway. They mark the sandwiches that the ingredients were grown in Canada. That way they can support their own. Good idea we think. We talked to a nice couple while we waited in line. They had seen us on the road. They were going to a 50th wedding anniversary. They were just more friendly Canadians.
On the way out of town we spotted a moose. Unfortunately it was a life size statue. That may be the only one we see.
The trees have changed to mostly aspen. A very large forest fire went through here a few years ago based on the size of the new growth. Lots of standing dead trees also. The road was so long and straight it reminded us of Nebraska or Kansas. There are numerous small ponds and creeks. Most have cat tails or other water vegetation growing in them. No farms or any businesses for miles. We saw a few homes with a teepee in their backyards.
Then we came to High Level. The plan was to camp here but there are very few if any trees and the flys at the gas station were terrible. The local population must be largely Indian. They are very fascinated by the car. At the gas station was a locked box labeled sand bags. Must get some flooding here at times.
Want a happy life? Have a happy wife. We bailed on camping tonight and got a motel room which just happens to have a kitchenette. The town has quite a few lodging options.
By the way A&W restaurants out number all the other fast food options.
Spoffords Travel 