Heading West on the Homeward Journey

While I was writing my last post Jimmy was in an Outdoor Shop. He wanted to show me a top he liked. I said it looked a bit 'try-hard' - and that's when the shop assistant explained it was a women's top.... Then I noticed the bike shorts on the next rack. Below the knee 'Smart Wool' cycle shorts. Yes, come to think of it, my knees were getting a little chilly the past few days.... So I walked out of the store with a new pair of bike shorts. And matching wool socks. I'm starting to feel a little fashionable!
We went to the pub for dinner - and had the same great burger and fries deal we'd had the night before! It was Jimmy's third identical burger; and my second. It was unbeatable so why change a good thing?
The next morning we loaded the bikes again and left Jasper. It felt good to be on the road again. The weather was pretty overcast so the mountaintops were obscured. There were "moose 30km" warning signs, but we didn't see any. Apparently they are still 'away up'. It was a fairly easy 120km ride to Valemount - generally downhill, with a tailwind. I can't believe we are still getting tailwinds now that we have changed direction and are heading West!
We arrived in Valemount about 3pm, gaining an hour in the day by crossing a time zone. Valemount is a very sleepy, tiny town with a few shops and a grid of 'suburbia'. We cruised through the streets to find our Warmshowers host's house. It was a weird feeling cycling along the deathly quiet streets, past permanent-looking trailer homes, in varying degrees of 'done-up-ness'.
It was a real pleasure to meet Tom and his friend Peggy; both keen cycle tourists. Tom's place is lovely. He's a carpenter so has renovated his trailer with gorgeous wood panelling and framework. We'd found a New Zealand wine in the liquor store, which we had with the lovely dinner Tom made.

The next day was pretty overcast, but still a tailwind which was just incredible. We arrived 90km later in Blue River about 2pm. Blue River is even smaller and sleepier than Valemount. We weren't sure what to do in Blue River all afternoon so considered pushing on a bit further. But the next town (and campground) is 90km away, in Clearwater! It really feels like we are out in the sticks here. We got some supplies from the small grocery store (I made myself sick on blueberry flavoured australian licorice) and headed to the Blue River Campground. Jimmy spotted some Teepees and, as it is only $3 more to stay in a teepee than our own tents, we are staying in a teepee tonight! AND it has fullsized mattresses inside!!!
Luxury.... There is a 'loungeroom' - an openair area with a roof on - with TV, cooker and tables; so I have been glued to the TV (watching US Masterchef - while cooking and eating a considerably less exciting packet soup) and generally feeling quite relaxed and pleased about how the day has turned out. Tomorrow we hope to make it to another Warmshowers host in Bridge Water.