Saturday, June 15, 2019 – Swift Current

We took a lengthier drive from Swift Current to Moose Jaw in order to be closer to a service call in Regina for Bruce and his super RV – perhaps a water leak in the cooling system. On the other hand, our wee Ceilidh took on another giant load of fuel and promptly refused to start.  Same erratic challenge. Key turns, ignition on, no starter motor. Tomorrow (Sunday) we can get a new lockout switch and we hope after installation that the problem will finally be solved.

It’s also kind of cool that we’re into Saskatchewan, well on our way cross Canada. I hear a fascinating story about the tunnels of Moose Jaw and how they may have been used by Chinese immigrants working on the railways and rum- runners, both trying to avoid detection.

Sunday, June 16, 2019 – Moose Jaw

We settle into an ‘interesting’ RV Campground that once again promises Wifi but doesn’t deliver. One has to be within 15’ of the Wifi router to be able to access the service – hardly the ‘campground wide’ advertised.  Methinks this is likely to  be the standard for most of the adventure. But I will take the laptop into the laundry room and send away.

The gophers have the run of the place.  There seems to be thousands and they have yet to evolve to recognize the dangers of passing semi-trucks and RV’s. Still intent on red-tailed hawks and cunning coyotes, they seek the centre of the freeway for the free view it offers.  Unfortunately, they simply don’t understand the reason for this gift of clear viewing and end up flattened. Ravens in particular view the freeway as a long, beneficent smorgasbord.

Speaking of easy pickings, we ventured downtown for lunch and dined on traditional prairie Chinese, end-of-the-lunch-day smorgasboard. It was nice to eat out and leave the BBQ behind.  From there we went in search of the famed tunnels. After some to-ing and fro-ing we finally entered a store that’s been renovated into a theater.  We were advised by a surely young theatre type that the next show wasn’t on until 4:15, some 2 hours later. And, we simply couldn’t wander the tunnels without guides, it was simply, too, too dangerous.  We left, disappointed to miss Al Capone’s oratorio and decided to head into the province’s capital and set up camp.

Monday, June 17, 2019 – Regina

It was pleasant weather all day, warm, overcast in periods and a very slight but appreciated prairie breeze.

Since we’ve hot-wired The Ceilidh, she’s started by key every time. I think she knows… We’ve found a water leak in the heads – can’t say that’ll be fun chasing down. Life on the road is rich indeed.

Played some tunes this morning to keep the fingers limber and noticed that most of my nails have broken off in ragged asymmetry. I suspect hot, dry weather, too much necessary hand washing and a ‘road’ diet – not enough fine olive oil. Adjustment required.

Into the city of Regina to scan the RCMP Heritage Centre. They’ve done a decent job of including some significant faux pas’ amongst all the flag-waving nationalism. It is quite a good exhibition. I picked up an interesting book detailing the end of the ‘West’ and the alienation/decimation of the first peoples.  Quite looking forward to having the time to read it.

RCMP interceptor/chase car. One of only 8 built for western Canada.

From there we visited the Lieutenant Governor’s mansion. Built near the end of Queen Victoria’s reign it contains many turn of the 20^th century items. A very good personal guide did a most excellent job of explaining the customs and the technology of that period.

Not finished with the life politic we then took a tour of the Legislature. Our guide was exciting and clearly took pride in her province and her position of explaining all the features of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building and assembly. We all got a pin.

Entrance to the largest Legislative building in Canada, Saskatchewan's.

Not having eaten all day we found a restaurant and celebrated Larry’s 88^th birthday.  He is one of the reasons we are taking this trip. I had spaghetti – crazy prairie food I guess. 

On to Winnipeg next, perhaps via Brandon.  We needn't be too structured on our route so long as we make it to our reserved spaces in Ottawa for the July 1st celebrations.