Nathan Veldhoen

Alberta bound started Wednesday morning, I jumped into my truck and left at 9am from Abbotsford.  I filled up with diesel the night before at 82.5  cents a litre and took about 116 litres.(I think my bill was 90 bucks, don’t remember …)  I drive a 2003 gmc 2500HD longbox with a Duramax 6.6 diesel engine, with a performance chip from Edge Products, and a tank that takes 120 litres.

My first stop was Banff, roughly an 8 hour drive with a total of 776kms (google maps).  Generally in the city I get about that in one tank.  I ended up getting into town at 5pm my time with a half a tank left .  So I figure about 50-60 bucks…go figure.  One of the big reasons why my millage was so good was that I used cruise control for about 70-80 percent of the drive.  I have heard that it makes a big difference in millage, more consistency in acceleration and less revving.  So I guess thats my tip for the day, use cruise.

Shot Just after Revy

Dash shot just getting Banff

I’m heading out to Alberta for the rest of the week, and into the long weekend.  I’m going to document as much of the trip as possible.  The reason for the trip is to gather up as many photographs  for the Art Show in Calgary, July 17-18.

I have spent a good part of my life in this province.  I lived in Lethbridge for almost 5 years while at the University of Lethbridge.  It would be cool to make it all the way back there, since I haven’t been since I finished up there in 2004.  I believe the school has doubled since I left, and I’m sure the program which I graduated from has changed since we headed the first class to go through  it.  It was called the New Media Program, not sure what it is called now but it was a great program at the time.

I’ll stop in Banff for a few days, then continue to head east to the prairies.  I haven’t gotten to many good shots of the prairies so I am hoping I can come back with some good ones.  Looking forward to the big skies and long fields.

I hope to get some good weather, and some good shots.  Leaving Wednesday and hope to be back Monday.