Strange Rain in Medicine Hat

For the first time in a while, I’m actually typing up today’s update today. It’s something I really took for granted last year as that was the routine I established early and I stuck to it. Despite gaining hours as I work my way west across the time zones, I still seem to run out of time each night. But not tonight. Tonight, I type! Of course, whether I’m able to post today’s update today … well, that’s somewhat doubtful but I’ll see what I can do.

What I can say with great certainty is today began unlike any other morning I’ve ever experienced. And it was an early morning. About 4:30. Yes, 4:30 am. And no, it wasn’t my plan to start my day at 4:30 am. And I fully start my day at 4:30, it was more a case of my sleep being interrupted at 4:30 for about 30 minutes before I was able to return to slumber mode.

So, “What happened at 4:30?”, you may ask. Well, it started to rain. Very strangely. I actually woke up before the rain started by what sounded like a frantic amount of scratching on a tent. Not my tent. But a nearby tent which, in my state of semi-consciousness, had me believing it was Eric’s tent. It was very loud and while it sounded like a flurry of scratching on a tent I ruled that out as there were no screams of terror accompanying said scratching so I figured no one was getting attacked by a rogue gang of prairie dogs.

The scratching sound only lasted briefly. Then the rain began. The strangest rain I’d ever heard on my tent. It wasn’t a heavy rain but rather a gentle soothing rain. And then it was gone. A few minutes later it was back. And then gone. And then back. And then gone. It was very puzzling. Adding to the puzzle was that the rain was only falling on one side of my tent. Then it all suddenly became clear. Automatic sprinklers. Strategically placed all over the field on which I was now camped.

I had to laugh. What else could I do? I was actually a bit relieved. Not because of the sprinklers but, based on last night’s weather forecast, I seriously considered not putting the fly on my tent last night. Had I done that I’m pretty sure I would not have found a sprinkler shower at 4:30 remotely amusing. Although, maybe after the fact.

The sprinklers continued to do their thing for about 30 minutes before shutting down. Minutes later I was asleep again.

About three hours later, just as I was getting up, the lawn mowers arrived. No, I’m not kidding. I’m guessing that the sprinklers are activated daily but apparently Tuesday is lawn mowing day at the Information Centre. Fortunately, the two guys tasked with mowing the lawn were completely indifferent to our presence and simple mowed around us. They were loud but at least we didn’t have to move.

With the sprinklers and lawn mowers gone, the morning progressed in a more typical fashion. We packed up our gear, loaded up our bikes and went out searching for breakfast. The original plan was to go to Humpty’s for $4.99 breakfast. Then we decided that returning to Perkins would be better. Finally, it was deemed that passing on IHOP was unacceptable, so that’s where we ended up. Did you know you can get three buttermilk pancakes for $0.57 right now? That’s right. $0.57. Guess where I’m going for breakfast again tomorrow?

After breakfast, Eric and Jordon set off towards Calgary while I set off to find a decent place to work for the day. Originally, I had planned on going to Tim Hortons but a lack of power outlets made that impractical. Instead, I ended up at the Medicine Hat Public Library.

The people at the library were great. They got me set up to use their WiFi connection, plus Annette let me bring my loaded bike inside for safe keeping while I did my work. A little later I met Gillian. We had a nice chat about the library, my trip, Medicine Hat, and other such things. Moments later I appeared on the Medicine Hat Public Library’s Twitter page. That’s certainly a first!

I’m not sure exactly what time I arrived at the library but I was probably there for about four or five hours. I was able to get my blog updated plus get some video editing done and files uploaded. Thanks to everyone at the Medicine Hat Public Library for your help. You’ve got a great library – with very friendly staff members!

With my work complete, all that was left was to get some food and return to my sprinkler-filled campsite. For food, I returned to Subway – of which, there haven’t been any since the day I left Moose Jaw. Incidentally, I noticed that one of Subway’s major pitchmen has gotten himself into more than a little trouble. I can’t help but think they’ll be looking to sponsor someone else. Hmmmm. I wonder who could they sponsor?? Yes, that’s rhetorical. I mean, seriously. Subway is essentially fuelling my way across the country – again! How is that not worth a sponsorship? Again, rhetorical.

So, with another delicious sub from Subway consumed I set course for the Information Centre. You’d think this would be the easy part of my day. You would be wrong. For those who haven’t been to Medicine Hat, there are a few hills here. Not a lot. And not monster hills. But there’s one I didn’t enjoy at all – and I didn’t even have to climb it. No, the hill in question went down (well, I guess technically it also goes up but not from where I was coming). Unfortunately, it was a long, steep hill and at the bottom there was a stop sign. And not one of those optional stop signs. No, the street at the bottom of the hill was busy. I was going to have to stop.

For those who haven’t tried stopping a fully loaded bike going down a long, steep hill, let me just say that it’s not particularly pleasant. Not to mention it’s very demanding of the bike. Okay, not if you have disc brakes but I don’t. As such, it’s hard on the brake pads and the rims. Not fun at all. And perhaps worst of all is that I’m going to have to go back to that area tomorrow for the ball game. I’m hoping there’s a detour I can take – even if it adds a few kilometres to the ride.

Perhaps the Information Centre will have a suggestion. I’ll find out in the morning – sometime after the sprinklers soak my tent again.

I finished my day with a short ride over to the World’s Tallest Teepee which is only a few minutes away from the Information Centre. What can I say … it’s a very big teepee. With some very nice paintings decorating it. I actually quite liked it.

Today’s totals:
Distance travelled: 17.69 km
Ride time: 1:08:22
Average speed: 15.52 km/h
Maximum speed: 47.30 km/h