So…it snowed in Alberta this week. Happy first week of September! Twelve centimetres of the fluffy white stuff fell in the south and this event prompted me to explore a route I had been putting off for “a nice fall trip.” I have long wondered what Route #40 looked like south of the stunning Kananaskis Trail and when my Saturday dawned sunny with the promise of 20+ degree weather, I took the roof off my Jeep and headed out to see what I would find.

First off, there was still snow up in the mountains! Not far off the Kananaskis Trail my road led me up into the Mighty Kananaskis mountains, winding its way further south and higher up where the word “road” is a mere suggestion at times 🙂  Perfect for Jeeping! With the sun in my face and the pungent smell of snow mixed with evergreens, it felt like Christmas in September! Route #40 is also called “Forestry Trunk Road” and the name suits. Tall stands of evergreens greet you on either side of a path that often has rushing rivers and snow laden mountain peaks guiding your way as you head south to eventually the epic Crowsnest Pass on the Alberta/British Columbia border. Along the way I stopped to take some snaps and to stretch my legs. The photo you see above is of Dutch Creek, not far south of The Old Man River crossing.

I pulled off at this peaceful, awe-inspiring place to listen to the soothing sounds of the rushing creek and I sat here, basking in the warm, early autumn sun for quite some time. It is in places like these that I most miss my family while I am out here in Alberta, and I must admit I was having “a moment” while at lovely Dutch Creek. You see, when I drive, I love listening to music. It is the soundtrack to my adventures. On this day I actually had a country music station on. Typically it is classical music, and sometimes classic rock. Depending upon my mood, which can be quite “eclectic.” But yesterday’s drive felt “country” and as I pulled up to the bridge crossing Dutch Creek, the song “I’m Already There” by Lonestar just ended. It speaks of missing your closest ones and the promise that, despite the distances, we are always “already there” in the little things. Like sunshine sparkling on water, or the whisper of a fresh mountain breeze. Well, I felt my family with me yesterday in this glorious spot, shed an unstoppable tear, and eventually hopped back in my Jeep to see where this fantastic road would take me next.

If you would like to see some of my snaps from yesterday’s Forestry Trunk Road adventure please visit my website for some “serious snaps” and you’ll find a few more over on Instagram. Thanks, as always, for following along on my Vagabond Adventures. You are “already there” with me!