Regina to Kenora

Regina to Grayson 161kms

Judy was woken up in the middle of the night to a twinge on the back of her neck...she knew exactly what it was and yanked it off and flung it across the tent. It was a wood tick. In the morning I examined her hairline, and sure as heck there was a small wound where the little bugger had his head buried!I have had a couple ticks in the last couple of days...none burrowing....everyone is getting them. The regular breakfast of oatmeal, cold cereal, and french toast....so jude opted to wait for something better on the road....66 kms later we were in fort qu' appelle for a great breakfast at a small bakery. Breakfast number 2 for me! I am getting used to 2 breakfast days...might be the secret to good health! The province of sask is practically shut down because of the big football game. Folk were dressed in rough rider green at breakfast.

The valleys remind me of oasis in the desert. You go for miles and miles with little change to the scenery...and then all of a sudden you drop into a beautiful valley with trees and water, and more animals. I can imagine in earlier times the feeling you would get arriving at a place like this. On the way down into the qu' appelle valley judy spotted a mule doe bedded down with a couple of spotted fawns bounding around.

Always some intereting history in these little obscure towns! Abernathy is the home of Len Thompson (the inventor of the world famous Len Thompson fishing lure)

Nuedorf is a VERY sleepy town. We stopped for PBJ sandwich on main street. That shot of judy laying in the middle of the road is at 130pm on a saturday.

Wind on our backs we made awesome time, we made it to Grayson in no time! How could a small town be full of so many interesting characters? 1st there was a large burly fellow that welcomed us...he was the local councillor, AND the fire cheif. Great sense of humor, His first comment was "Grayson has the best water around...just don't drink it!” He has worked on fished in and around lesser slave lake, small world. The next character was a young fellow, 12 yrs maybe, named Ryan (sitting with me in the tent) Had a million questions...wanted to show us the town, and race us on our bikes...works at the local butcher shop. We nick named him the ambassador of Grayson. The old fashioned butcher here makes great sausage, which will make up part of our supper tonight, “thank god real food” jude chimes in.
Our site was next to the fire hall, that is where the girls showered actually. Got to compare their fire hall to ours. Of course the siren was used to announce supper, and as a wake up call the next morning...nice. We were like the local exibit, as lots of local came to see the 'spectical' of 42 tents set up in their park adjacent to their recreation center. One interesting guy pulled up on a ATV. He was a little heavy set, smoking a cigarette, and sporting a 'mullet' for a hair cut. Maybe 40 years old. He told me a story about having too much to drink, and driving his ATV home, and then having to 'out-run' the cops with it. Then finally a long haired fellow with a hockey helmet rolled in on a home made motorized bike contraption...we will let the picture explain itself.


Grayson to Binscarth 167km


Judy
Okay...sunny skies as I peered through the tent door. It gets better. After packing up and dressing for the day, walked over to the galley with my usual slow unexcited walk towards what I thought would be the usual lump porridge, pancakes, bran flakes, and coffee with out coffee in it. OMG!!! Coffee with coffee, "HASHBROWNS" with 'real potatoes'. I knew this day was going to rock! Started out into a head wind, but that didn't matter much for I knew what was up ahead. the 1st part of our ride took us through the beautiful Qu, Apppelle Valley. So far it is probably our favorite ride next to the final stretch into Merritt. With an amazing tailwind we cruised through the valley effortlessly. Lots of time to engage in the splendor of the valley offerings including fields and fields of flax blowing gently in the wind often at times mimmicking the waves of the lakes nearby. Deer and coyote watched as we passed by and overhead the gentle reminder of not to stop too long. The turkey Vultures kept a close count of our progress. Stopped off in those beautiful hills for a quick sandwich (avacado, cheese, onion, spinach and 'bread with stuff in it') My own private stash. Just took a moment to reflect, I was in the most perfect place in the world, the most perfect adventure partner , it just cant get any better. Shortly after our stop in the hills, we stopped in Esterhazy for a quicktour of the ptoash mining. its big here, really big and supplies most of the world. Had an amazing lunch #2 at a chinese restaurant. Loaded our plates twice! Meat! Meat! Meat! Kel experienced flat #3 shortly after our lunch stop. (maybe that extra plate was too much). Quick fix and Bill caught up! Formerly from pain train #1, the three of us created pain train #2. We were just flying at an average of 45 km /hr....I love hanging with the boys, oh yeah kel is an official member of the asshole riders of America...he was pushing gears and keeping the pelaton moving...I was sooo proud! We kept the train moving for about 30 kms and then settled into more of a touring gear. Camp this night was awesome. Grass for tenting, Volley ball net, sand and all, pool, free showers. The best part PEROGIES / GREEK SALAD for supper and to compliement this blessing from the heavens DARK BEER and RED WINE. Who needs a spa holiday, I just had one today!

Binscarth to Minnedosa 136km

Another foggy start and blessed with a tail wind once again. The mist collected on my arm hairs giving the effect of sweating profusely. Birtle a small town we got to early was still asleep. 1/2 of the group stopped at the only restaurant and overwhelmed the oriental owner, who was by himself and had to rely on some locals in there at the timed to get coffee to everyone. This town gets the cake for one of the cutest towns we have happened on yet. No chance for breakfast so we headed out for the next town 33 more kms (I love that woman of mine so much....she would pedal 72 kms for a good breakfast if her potatoes were the wrong temp....)
Yet another asian owned restaurant in shoal provided breakfast (number 2 for me!)
Hands down so far, saskatewan is the roal kill capital of canada. Lots of green gummy worms on the road (dead garter snakes), racoons, skunks, gophers, porupines, ducks, black birds, and several of dads favorites... meadowlarks :-(
Minnedosa...Horses on the hill looked staged...Mink coming out of the grass in the ditch to cross the road, took one look at us and went back in.
Tonight site was a great campsite on a beautiful lake. Right after the tent was pitched, we went for our 1st lake swim of the trip. We were on galley duty, and unfortunatly had a crappy dish to prepare..BUT we wowed the crowd with a peach cobbler for dessert. Some 'around the fire' time and I was able to challenge some of the youngsters with some puzzles...Smart little whippers figured most of them out in record time.

Minnedosa to Portage La Prairie 143 kms

Seems like everyone has been getting up earlier and earlier...breakfast is supposed to be served from 7 till 8 am. Most mornings breakfast is over by 715! Our galley crew (see picture) is standing its ground by not serving breakfast till 7am and making sure there is somthing available till 8am...hopefully the other crews will follow suit. Vetran of tour nailed it by saying, "breakfast time in the most traumatic part of my whole day"

The home town of Author Margaret Lawrence - Neepawaw - was our breakfast stop. After breakfast we stopped by her house, and the stone angel at the cemetary, which one of her books is based on.

We of course were sweep again, part of galley duty, we caught up to the group AGAIN in Gladstone for a coffee and ice cream break. Next stop Westborne. Some locals Don and Frank, they let us know that 200 yards from where we were standing was the current home of country music superstar Doc Walker! He gave up a lavish home in nashville for a meagre spot in his home town.
Flax (see beautiful blue picture) and Sunflower fields complimented each other on the prairie landscape.
Hard to believe that there is still so many Major Hyways that still have gravel shoulders. The Transcanada on the last 10kms to Portage kept us on our toes!
Camp tonight is at horse race track / exibition grounds. We got to watch some young riders jumping their horseAal golf course sipping wine and updating this blog.

Portage to Beausejour 161 km

Seemed like a long haul for everyone...prairies seem to be taking their toll. It is mostly mental. Did the 'stop' at Lower Fort Gary. Had been there before but was a good refresher. Probably one of the hottest days so far. At the restaurant, me and Jude each ordered a large salad which really seemed to hit the spot. Soon we were padding along the great Red River and got some great views of Pelicans and People catching giant 'channel cats' in the strong current. Great Woods Park was our destination, and through emails and phone calls through out the day we were able to get our good friend Brian and his daughters (young ladies now!!) to meet us at our site! Brian supplied us grub and a trip to Beausejour for icecream. (Liz had evening classes and could not make it.) Sure is fun having friends to link up with along the way.

Beausejour to Kenora 178 kms

Longest day yet! but for some reason it seemed to go very fast. This was the transition to the Shield country. It was like coming home for me. Lots to look at and the plants and trees that I am the most familiar with. Chunks of pre-cambrian shield cropping out everywhere. Hyw 44 rolly and windy, a perfect bike route. Judy notice a fox over her shoulder so we double back, and not only did he not run away, he actualy laid down and went to sleep! see picture. 70 kilometers from Kenora the thunder showers started. We though we could miss them with a well timed stop at a cafe', but no luck. Absolute pelting rain from 40 kms out had us drenched. Camp looked very soggy and it was still pouring. Note Jacques under truck eating his snacks. We again opted out of camping and had a cab pick us up and take us to a Hotel (there were about 10 others too) THAT hot shower and dry room felt very good!