R & R in Calgary

Day 5...Saturday, July 19, 2008...Calgary
Today, I decided to drive on past my scheduled stop in Medicine Hat, Alberta to Calgary. With Paul's help, I was able to book two nights at the Westin Hotel. The folks here at the Westin could not have been more helpful...helping to unload a ton of camping gear and putting me on the "preferred business floor" with high-speed Internet, unlimited calls in North America, free breakfast and a really, really comfortable bed.
I got in around 5:30PM and had an early dinner at the Vintage Chop House...forty-day dry-aged buffalo rib eye steak, creamed spinach and two glasses of Argentinian Malbec...for awhile, I finally felt human again. I went back to the hotel and slept ten hours.

Day 6...Sunday, July 20, 2008...Calgary
I was up at 9:00AM this morning and had a big breakfast. I wish that I could say that I have spent the day exploring Calgary but, to be honest, I have slept most of the day. I have observed that the people here are pretty friendly and the city itself is very clean and well-maintained.
I did take a walk over to the downtown mall to get some medical supplies at the drug store. Today, I need to change the bandages applied at surgery, so I wanted to get some powerful antibiotic ointment and replacement bandages.
Tonight, I'm having dinner at the River Cafe (http://www.river-cafe.com/), a short walk from my hotel. They specialize in "up-scale" interpretations of regional Canadian cuisine, so I should be able to get a game dish and some other interesting things.
Tomorrow, it's on to Edmonton, just a short drive of 180 miles or so. I may stay an extra day in Edmonton because, once I leave there, I'm going to be in pretty desolate territory until I get to Anchorage. From Edmonton, I'll be driving over the Canadian Rockies to Dawson Creek, British, Columbia and, from there, to Watson Lake, Fort Nelson and Whitehorse. It's a little under 2000 miles from Edmonton to Anchorage so, at this point, I've completed less that a third of the trip, and I've got a long way to go.
I'm not sure what kind of phone reception I'll have once I leave Edmonton, so don't be concerned if I'm out of touch for a few days. Likewise with Internet access...after Edmonton, I may not be able to post again until Anchorage.
One final note, please don't call me on my cell phone tomorrow between 1:00PM and 2:00PM...I'll be downloading my weekly ringtones from Kanye West, Lil' Wayne and Young Jeezy.