So now that I’ve got going with this new job and being well into my seasonal travel cycle, a few things have struck me. First is just how freak’n big Alberta is. By the time December hits. I will have driven or flown over 6000km. And across all those clicks, I’m getting to see just how different this province has become, compared to what I remember.

Away from the cities, people are older and weathered. They seems rough, but are generally friendly (at least the adults). But as different as the people seem, it’s interesting to see how homogenizing big chains are. There is a BPs or another chain in every little town it seems. It does make these stops on the way feel more like home, but I have to wonder about the little places that these chains compete against. How much money would stay in these little towns? What difference would that make? Things to ponder.