Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Drumheller – Edmonton

Off to the Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology.  It wasn’t open when we got there so we did a little wandering around outside.  

The Museum is named in honor of Joseph Tyrrell, a geologist who discovered the first dinosaur in the Red Deer River Valley in 1884. The Museum opened September 25, 1985 and was given "Royal" status by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.  Forty seven thousand square feet of exhibits in a series of  chronological galleries celebrate the 3.9 billion year history of life on Earth. Not being a dinosaur expert, I just found it intriging to wander and look and read the signs.  I certainly was more of an expert when I left!  Here are a few examples of what we saw...

The Death Pose again.

 

 

Each level had an entrance like this.

 

 They have a large active lab where they were cleaning fossils.

Also a lot of interactive stations.

Even the elevators had dinosaurs!

It was a wonderful Museum!  Outstanding displays and great information.  John has another 100+ pictures if anyone is interested in more.  I know two grandsons who would have loved it!!!  After a couple of hours of wandering we had to hit the road for Edmonton. 

We’ve gone from badlands to flat prairie to rolling hills.  There were some farmers/ranchers in McDonald's this morning and John asked them how to get to Edmonton so we’re on their rural route from Drumheller—9 to 56 to 53 to 21.  Very pretty drive.  

 

All along 56 have been small ponds with a lot of ducks.  We haven’t stopped to check them out but lots of geese, coots and mallards but don’t know what else.  The aspen are golden around here.  Wheat first, then range land and now back to wheat on 53. 

 

and my last train novelty--repairs on the tracks :-)

Will miss those endless trains!!

Nice drive and we’ve reached our destination – Western Budget Motel right by the airport.  We dragged in all the luggage and did the final check so none of them were over 47#.  We did manage to do that!  

Came home from dinner and had a short fire in the fireplace and then headed to bed.  Tomorrow it’s up, shower, breakfast here, turn in the car and check in for our flight and then hopefully smooth travels.  It’s been a WONDEROUS trip!!