We learn more about the Great March of 1874.

Waters Edge Campground, Fort Macleod, AB (2 stars)

The Crowsnest Highway (Alberta Highway 3) passes through an area that produces a lot of produce and related products. We see many familiar names on buildings as we drove west from Taber - Rogers Sugar and McCain Foods to name a couple. They seem to grow many different products here, not just wheat. And of course corn is a big crop around these parts.

After docking the Schooner we headed back into Fort Macleod and toured the Fort. Many of the same names we have seen across the prairies from around 1885 popped up in the fort, Colonel Sam Steele, Colonel French, Crowfoot and Sitting Bull, and of course Commisioner Macleod. The strangest and scariest item in the fort The 1906 vintage X-ray machine. It looks like something out of a Frankenstein movie.

It's nice to be back in Alberta for another reason - gas is under $ 1.50 per litre. That would have sounded absurd a couple of years ago but now sounds quite relieving from the $ 2.30 we experienced over the winter in BC.

Taber - the town famous for its delicious corn. Fresh corn stands are set up, grocery store bins are emptied as fast as they are filled. Yes, we had corn on the cob for dinner tonight! They went well with the deee-licious hamburger patties Lee bar-b-qued. We picked up the fresh patties today at Wild Bros - Meat and Cheese in Lethbridge. We also picked up some really thinly sliced (on request) peppered salami and a pair of frozen patties and some Gouda cheese. Highly recommend the shop!

The salami only made it through one meal - it was too good to stop eating!

We then headed over to check out Fort Macleod and toured the Fort and museum of the NWMP and First Nations Interpretive Centre. Unfortunately, due to heavy rains wreaking havoc this week on the parade grounds, the Fort's NWMP Musical Ride was cancelled. The first NWMP riding demonstration took place in 1876. I was disappointed to miss the original version of today's RCMP Musical Ride. I guess we will have to travel through Fort Macleod again one day.

The multiple buildings and detailed exhibits are very well done and include references and examples of life of the First Nations including an "Art and Adornment" exhibit of their decorative clothing.