We're both tired...asleep by 9:00.
Big storm blew through around 4:00AM...high winds, heavy rains and hail.
Bill and I are up at 6:30AM. We wander over to the office for breakfast...yoghurt, English muffin, juice, coffee. We managed to sneak Kechi into our room last night...there's a "no pet" policy here. Bill wrapped him up in a blanket and carried him from the car like a baby.
Around 8:30, we're on the road to Calgary. We're hoping to get through this big storm front and find some sunshine on the other side. Boy...are we ever wrong about that.
Around 3:00 or so, we arrive at the Mountainview Campground about nine miles east of downtown Calgary. It's a decent campground, but pricey...$40.00/night...$5.00/day for Wi-Fi...$1.00 for a five-minute shower. But we're happy to get camping spots because it's starting to rain.
I'm feeling like a big steak dinner, but Bill wants to stay close to camp. So...around 6:30 or so, I head downtown to the Vintage Chophouse. No problems...about a twenty minute drive, grab a parking space and find a seat at the bar.
The bartender patiently listens to my instructions on how to make the perfect Manhattan. Other than omitting the Vermouth, he does OK. I opt for the 16oz. AAA Alberta Beef Prime Rib, Caesar Salad and Creamed Spinach. Salad is pretty good...washed down with a glass of Sokol-Blosser Evolution White. Prime Rib and Spinach are both excellent...washed down with Cedar Creek Syrah from British Columbia.
About the time that I finish my dinner, four RCMP officers enter the restaurant. The place is absolutely packed, so they have to wade through the crowd to reach the manager. They talk...the manager looks upset. Two of the officers are carrying large rolls of yellow tape...the kind that they use to cordon off crime scenes. This is not a good sign.
The bartender asks me if I'm having dessert. I tell him yes. He tells me to order immediately. I ask why. He replies that the restaurant is being evacuated (along with all of downtown Calgary) in thirty minutes. Whoa!
I wolf down my dessert and head for my car. It's raining hard, and there's a lot of water in the street. As I head out of downtown, I see that several streets are completely covered with water. A mile or so out of downtown, it really starts pouring...my wipers can hardly keep up.
When I reach the campground around 9:30, Bill is asleep in his camper...and there's a few inches of water covering our campsites. I sit in the Explorer for awhile...have a few beers...listen to the radio.
Then...off to bed. Tomorrow could be interesting.
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