Canada 2016 - Medicine Hat Meanderings

Thursday - June 30
Last full day in Alberta on the last day of June seems right somehow.  It is a province that is facing some uncertainty about its economy because of its oil industry. They seem to be working hard to support each other through it. The Brexit vote certainly has added to the uncertainty for all of Canada.
We missed a turn but it took us by this jolly fellow, we stopped for a picture then checked the map and turned around.

Largest Teepee in the World was first erected at the Calgary Olympics in 1988. We are going to have to come back later for a closer look as our mission is to get Doug's front wheel replaced.

This looks like just the place to find what we need.

Justin, Service Manager at Cyclepath bike shop, had a new wheel on Doug's bike in no time.  Doug almost cried when Justin salvaged the hub out of the ruined wheel.  We mailed the hub home to be used in a new wheel build when we return.  Thanks Justin!

Justin also had some nice advice of some places to visit. The motel where we planned to stay tonight was only 1/2 mile away from the bike shop. It was only 11:00 but we stopped in to ask if we could leave our panniers there for the day since we couldn't check in until 4 pm. They readily agreed to help us out.

After talking about it over a milkshake, we chose to explore the downtown area close to the river.

Doug thinks that a JJ cup might work as emergency shelter.

The city has numerous little parks. This sculpture represents the river and irrigation circles.

This is the oldest car bridge connecting the 2 parts of town. It was opened in 1908. The interpretive panel said it also really connected the town with the rest of Alberta.

City Hall

Medicine Hat used to be a center of pottery and brick making. This is reflected in the architecture and much of the public art, including this one commemorating the community's teamwork in response to the 1995 100 year flood. This area also flooded in 2013.

Riverside Veteran's Park stage.

There is a garden-sized chess board beside the public library.

These guys were playing on a much smaller board.

We had a real lunch at Station Coffee Co. when the milkshake wore off. The young woman that we asked about the context for this quote said "We don't have "Employee of the Month" because we are all fantastic!"

It was a very relaxed and relaxing place to hang out for a bit.

Donna thought of  all her sewing relatives when she saw this piece of art.

We are back where we started this morning having made a big circle during our urban tour but can take some time to look at the sights a little more this time.

Each of the circles has a story to tell.

The many colors of hands represent the many cultures that have come together in Alberta.

Each circle has is own interpretive panel.

It was totally unplanned but having a stop day in Medicine Hat was a pleasure. Big thunderstorm at dinner time again tonight.

Week 2 on the road.
560 cumulative miles and lots of smiles
Tomorrow we head into Saskatchewan.

It certainly did not feel like it was all downhill!