SASKATCHEWAN TRIP - DAY 16

We had hoped to go to the Great Sandhills near Sceptre a short distance from where we were staying in Leader but it was raining. I did manage to catch the sunrise before we left.

It looked good but did not last. The rain continued. We took what we thought was the road in to the sandhills but after about half an hour and a sign that said "No Exit" we realized this wasn't going to happen. Some roads really do not go anywhere.

We're in Moose Jaw now for 4 nights - not because there's so much to do in Moose Jaw but it's close to Regina and surrounding area and we want to see as much of Saskatchewan as we can. It's a beautiful, much more diverse province than I imagined.

SASKATCHEWAN TRIP - DAY 15

We're on the road again. It was another interesting drive from North Battleford to Leader. This part of the province is a seemly endless expanse of open fields and roads. There was some wildlife though - and we actually saw it! Rare for us.

Once again Saskatchewan had a surprise in store for me. I suppose if the wheat doesn't yield enough revenue maybe there's something under the wheat.

In a lot of ways it was the isolation of the day's drive that impressed me. This photo is the true definition of vanishing point. I love that I was standing in the middle of the highway to take this and just before I did someone coming the other way stopped and asked, "Everything good?" Canada has the greatest people on Earth.



SASKATCHEWAN TRIP - DAY 14

Every day we spend in this province I am more and more amazed how diverse it is. In my mind I was expecting this and only this...

...but as the twisted trees of yesterday did, today's entry just boggled my mind again. I imagined this must have come about by a conversation made with someone with hearing like mine. "A grain elevator?! I could have sworn you said to build you a light house!"

As out of place and not necessary as it is it provided a good workout for us as we had to climb 152 irregularly spaced and occasionally high steps to get to it. Once there I took one shot and was informed the battery was dead. Did I have another battery? Of course I did, I'm not an idiot. It was in the car - and so was my iPhone I could have used as a backup. So yes, I went back down, then up again because I certainly could not visit such a place and not take photos.

All's well that ends well!

SASKATCHEWAN TRIP - DAY 13

Another gorgeous day for our drive to North Battleford. I must say though, there are thousands of small wasps everywhere we go. They are annoying but the biggest drawback is the ones that end up on the windshield and grill of the SUV. I don't know how or if I'm ever going to get them clean. Saskatchewan back roads proved interesting again as we drove leisurely along.

In a landscape that is often devoid of trees this isolated stand of crooked aspen trees is nothing short of amazing. Accessible only by a 70 kilometre trip on gravel roads my only concern was, "Oh no! My new SUV!" No one knows for certain how this happened. One popular explanation involves aliens landing and destroying the growth forcing future flora to be twisted and deformed.

Good enough for me!

SASKATCHEWAN TRIP - DAY 12

Today is our last day in Saskatoon before heading north so a final trip to the rural area surrounding allowed us to enjoy another sunny day. Farm lands and flatlands that go on forever pretty well sums it up - but it's all glorious. The grain elevator with a waiting train seems to be a classic.

Manitou Beach is one of those places I'd never have heard of if not for Jonny Harris and his Still Standing show. He visits Canadian towns that are dead or dying and if nothing else brings joy to the residents even if it is fleeting. This town may very well be beyond revival but as we walked around it was easy to see what it had been in its heyday.

SASKATCHEWAN TRIP - DAY 11

We had a wonderful day of culture at the Wanuskewin Heritage Park. Fans of the show may remember Season 3 Episode 7 of the Amazing Race Canada where Brent made the best mat appearance ever as he stumbled to the finish line then promptly threw up (you had to see it - it was hilarious). Anyway, that episode was filmed at the Park.
A couple of picturesque hikes and another nice day made it memorable.

We are indeed fortunate to visit this beautiful part of Canada.

The hoop dancer was amazing; the same man who taught the racers on the show. I was very impressed how he summed up his performance saying we are all equal, we share a heart beat with one another and with Mother Earth and should act accordingly.

Before we went to the park we made a brief stop to enjoy Saskatoon along the river. A very pretty city.

SASKATCHEWAN TRIP - DAY 10

Today was a lovely drive; still flat as can be but it was sunny all day! Before we left Indian Head we walked from our motel to the Visitor Centre. I don't want to hear any more whining about the Chicago Black Hawks or Cleveland Indians logos - this place makes them all look like child's play. As much as I think this whole politically correct thing is BS and totally out of proportion this does make you wonder. Welcome to Indian Head.

We are currently in Saskatoon for 3 nights. What a fabulous place. It's a suite and costs less than some hotel rooms. It's bigger than some houses I've seen.

Except for the sports team down the hall, I couldn't be happier.