A Long Road, Fond Memories, and Familiar Faces

Coffee was very much needed to start the day, so I delivered two mugs to bed before showers, pet feeding, and breakfast for S. Once dressed for the funeral, we packed a few snacks and drinks, including our water bottles, and were on the road by 10.

S chose the scenic (and somewhat convoluted) route to Oyen, where we stopped to fuel up before continuing on to Acadia Valley. Arriving over an hour early, we took time to tour the little town, check in on the bison, and meander along the back roads before heading to the St. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Before Oyen, the wind had picked up—steady and sharp—and continued as family and friends gathered to lay Dave M. to rest. It was a small service, intimate and heartfelt, with plenty of laughter mixed in as stories were shared about his life and character.

Afterward, we joined everyone back in town at the seniors’ centre for sandwiches, cake, and more memories. By just after 3, we were back on the road, heading south toward Medicine Hat. It’s been many years since I’d last been through Acadia Valley, and even longer since I’d taken Highway 41 to “the Hat.” The wind stayed strong, but the sun made for a pleasant drive.

We arrived before 5, greeted warmly by Mom, Dad, and Candace P. I caught them up on all the wedding adventures while S picked up Papa’s favourite Little Caesars pizza for supper. We paired it with their usual assortment of chocolate and refreshments while sharing wedding photos and videos—giving them a preview before the blog eventually does.

We said our goodbyes just after 8 and hit the road home. Eastbound traffic was at a standstill near Bassano due to a bad accident, a sobering sight, though thankfully our westbound lane kept moving. We made it home before 10:30, twelve hours after leaving—750 kilometres later, and 7½ hours of driving behind us.

It was a long but meaningful day—one of reflection, connection, and remembrance. We wound down in bed, S catching up on sports highlights while we both scrolled through socials before lights out. Thanks B for giving Harley supper and a play break today.