Trans Canada Highway, Stage 7: Calgary to Medicine Hat
The Calgary skyline slowly fades from the rearview mirror as we start the engine for a long drive to Medicine Hat. Today, we have a stretch of almost 300 kilometers ahead of us, and let's be honest: most of this road is straight, flat, and not very exciting. But as always, the adventure lies in the details. And those details are especially evident at the beginning of this leg.

We'll start with a bit of city atmosphere. The imposing Calgary Tower rises 190 meters above downtown, an icon since 1968. A little further on lies Olympic Plaza, built for the 1988 Winter Games. The square is bustling with life, even now, decades later. On the right, historic City Hall gleams in the sun.

Just outside the city, the road glides past Chestermere Lake, a man-made reservoir once used for irrigation but now a haven for water sports enthusiasts. The water sparkles, surfers carve the waves, a final burst of dynamism before we enter the endless plains of the Palliser Triangle. Here, the land is dry, the roads are perfectly straight, and the horizon seems endless.

Towering high above the Drumheller Valley, Tyra, the world's largest dinosaur, offers a unique and breathtaking view of the badlands. Climb the 106 steps inside the dinosaur to experience the Drumheller Valley from Tyra's gaping mouth. At the foot of the dinosaur, you'll find official merchandise featuring "Tyra," the world's largest dinosaur, and a selection of locally produced items in our gift shop.

To add some color to the journey, we'll stop at a series of unique spots. Midland Provincial Park tells the story of Alberta's coal mining. We'll walk past old mining buildings and follow the Interpretive Trail, a step back in time.

A little further on, a world of prehistory awaits: the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Here, we'll come face to face with dinosaurs, fossils, and stories from millions of years ago. It's a place that sparks the imagination. For a touch of nostalgia, we visit the Homestead Antique Museum, where furniture, tools, and artifacts bring pioneer life to life.

After a lunch stop in Drumheller, we drive along the AB-10X, which follows the course of the Rosebud River to Wayne. There are 11 old bridges that cross the river; stop frequently to enjoy the scenery and take photos. This is the most scenic part of the route.

At the Siksika 146 Indian Reserve in Alberta, we delve back into history at the Blackfoot Crossing Museum. Here, at the site where Treaty No. 7 was signed in 1877, we learn about the culture and traditions of the Siksika (Blackfoot) Nation. The museum is more than just a building; it's a deeply moving experience.

Then it's time to turn back onto the Trans-Canada Highway. Ahead of us lie another 170 kilometers of asphalt, straight and unforgiving. The prairie stretches to the horizon, beneath a sky that seems to end in eternity. It's a drive that gives your mind space, a moment to reflect on everything we've seen today.

When we reach Medicine Hat, the sun is low and golden. I give this stage three stars: not for the road itself, but for the stories, museums, and encounters that brightened the start of the day. Tomorrow awaits a new chapter, and hopefully more twists and turns.