Canadian Buffoon's Back to Front Vacation - Update! 05/18 - Falling Down

[pkondz]

I imagine it probably feels similar to how bummed I will be missing you (and all the other awesome Dis-friends!) this spring. But hopefully we'll make it happen sometime soon!

I sure hope so!
Wish you could be
there in May.

 

[pkondz]

I did not know about this. Very cool.

You're welcome!
That'll be $5 please.

Makes perfect sense. Did I tell you my Ancestry DNA says I'm 71% England, Wales & Northwestern Europe? I'm also 18% Ireland & Scotland.

This surprises me not at all.
We all (well... not Native Americans)
came from somewhere else.

Josh darn, I don't think I'll make it in time. Guess I'll have to turn you in.

Turn me in!!
You're the one who
can't live up to your
end of the bargain!

 

[buzzrelly]

I did!!!

@Tracy161 thanks so much
for letting us know about it!

It was really good!
I won't spoil it, but...
so far, I'm very impressed
with the skill of some
of the artists.

I'm already thinking that
when I retire, I'd like to
spend some time in Seattle
at the glass blowing school there.

I'll definitely check it out when it airs here

Sounds like a good retirement plan…maybe we'll be watching you at Arribas Bros. someday

Ah!
You said "town", so thought
that's what you were
referring to.
Saskatchewan is the name
of the province.

I have to admit, I just googled, "what is a province?" I guess it's kind of like a state…I need to travel more

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

What kind of reference
do you think I'd get
after tasering a co-worker?

Depends on the co-worker.

Oh, yeah.
I hear you guys
don't even dust
the chandeliers
on a regular basis.

They were all out of filet mignon last time I went. True story.

Good point!
I'm safe!
(Note to self:
Don't drive through
Saskatchewan again...

Why would I?)

Yep, safe all around!

Apparently, the river there
is in the shape of a Moose's Jaw.
Or... it's an Anglicized version
of an Indian name.

One of those.
They're really not sure.

Just go with whatever the best story is.

I was gonna get around to that.
Again... and again... and again...

 

[KathyM2]

Yep. Kinda craving them though...

Yeah I would be craving chips too...after a day or two...

And... trust me on this...
the best way to drive through
Saskatchewan is in a
semi-comatose haze.

Agreed.

Or I had a sausage and egg McMuffin.

That sounds way better than option A.

Eventually I arrived at the
capital city, Regina.
(Rhymes with... the DIS won't let me say.)
It's the second largest city in Saskatchewan
(pop. 215,000.)

Don't miss it if you can. Actually I did the drive back from Regina to Toronto with my dad once as he used to teach out there for a few years as a visiting prof. I think it was April when we started the drive and you still needed to plug in your car at night.

A display of how the uniforms
have changed over time:

Is it just me or does it look like the Mounties' uniforms haven't actually changed all that much over time...?

Moose Jaw is also famous for
its tunnels.
Several downtown buildings
are connected by underground
tunnels originally built beginning
around 1908.

Who knew they had tunnels and the reasons, that's pretty cool! I learned a bit about prohibition when I was in Savannah last year and it was really interesting history.

 

[pkondz]

I'll definitely check it out when it airs here

I think you'll like it.
I know I did.

Sounds like a good retirement plan…maybe we'll be watching you at Arribas Bros. someday

Maybe!

I have to admit, I just googled, "what is a province?" I guess it's kind of like a state…I need to travel more

Ahhh...
Yes, a province
is pretty much
the same as a State
in North America.
(Not worldwide, though.)

Hmmm...
Now wondering if most countries
have states or provinces?

 

[pkondz]

Depends on the co-worker.

Very good point!

They were all out of filet mignon last time I went. True story.

What???
I would complain to
the manager.

I'm at that age where
it's practically a requirement.

Just go with whatever the best story is.

Can I make one up?

 

[pkondz]

Yeah I would be craving chips too...after a day or two...

Every time I walk past some
in the grocery store...

The struggle is real.

Agreed.

That sounds way better than option A.

Oh? Not a fan of eggs Benedict?

If so..

OMG! What is wrong with you???

Don't miss it if you can. Actually I did the drive back from Regina to Toronto with my dad once as he used to teach out there for a few years as a visiting prof. I think it was April when we started the drive and you still needed to plug in your car at night.

Yup. April... merely a
continuation of winter.

Is it just me or does it look like the Mounties' uniforms haven't actually changed all that much over time...?

Not much really.
Red... then red... then more red...

Who knew they had tunnels and the reasons, that's pretty cool!

Right???

I learned a bit about prohibition when I was in Savannah last year and it was really interesting history.

Cool! But why Savannah in particular?

 

[docsoliday1]

How wussy.

watch out for the soon gang.

 

[docsoliday1]

I can be bought with an all expense trip to Walt Disney World for 10 days. Deal?
.

Depends on what all expenses means to you...

Tent - $50
Rental car - $50 per day x2 days (one there and one back)
Gas - $150 (just because I don't know exact mileage...I think that's generous)
Space in my back yard for tent - $0
10 days at DTD - $0

Sounds like a pretty good deal for $300.

 

[pkondz]

watch out for the soon gang.

Hmm..
Nope. That one went
over my head.

Soon gang?

Depends on what all expenses means to you...

Tent - $50
Rental car - $50 per day x2 days (one there and one back)
Gas - $150 (just because I don't know exact mileage...I think that's generous)
Space in my back yard for tent - $0
10 days at DTD - $0

Sounds like a pretty good deal for $300.

Actually... yes it does!

 

[Tracy161]

Thanks for sharing this! We will definitely watch this when it comes on. So, you know some of the featured people and judges? That's really cool

Yep, I sure do!

I have no idea what that
could be... and it sounds
like I don't wanna!

Exactly. Sometimes Google is not our friend

Okay... that looks great.
Same as "Forged in Fire"
(which I've only seen
one or two episodes)
or similar in format, anyway.

Yes, I think that's exactly right - though I'm only mildly familiar with Forged in Fire.

I gotta see if we have
Chanel 107!
But I won't find out
until I get home from
work in... 16.5 hours!

Saskatchewan makes North Dakota
look positively over-populated.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Academy, Depot Division
has been training RCMP officers
since its establishment in 1885.

That's so cool!

Do this remind anyone else of... ?

Luckily for me, another "recruit"
was trying to leave and when
the sergeant had his back turned
I ran out, ditching the new duds
as I went.

Phew! That was a close one.

I arrived at what could possibly
be the most Canadian city
in the world...

Moose Jaw.

No. I'm not kidding.


I think Moose Butt was already
taken, so their second choice
was Moose Jaw.

Moose Jaw is also famous for
its tunnels.

Ooooh, this sounds amazing. I would LOVE to go on this tour someday.

Our guides were first a moll
(a gangster’s girl)
and then a gangster.
They played up their roles
to the hilt.

Reminds me of the Great Movie Ride!

Um... maybe on a road trip
I'll say "where I would stop
for the night."

Yeah... go with that.

Not an activity that I would recommend.

I was at the edge of my seat reading that whole section. Yikes!

Sounds like a good retirement plan…maybe we'll be watching you at Arribas Bros. someday

I love this idea!

 

[pkondz]

Exactly. Sometimes Google is not our friend

Hard pass on Googling
"Blowing Glass".

Yes, I think that's exactly right - though I'm only mildly familiar with Forged in Fire.

Or other similar shows...

Basically, you take an artist
(Edged weapons experts, or
tattoo artists, costume designers,
or whatever...)
And every episode a panel
of judges rates all the artists'
compositions.
The one with the worst product
has to leave the show
until you have one left at
the end who wins a prize.

That's so cool!

And historic!

Do this remind anyone else of... ?

Well, have you seen him
around, lately? Hmmm?

Phew! That was a close one.

This TR would've
abruptly ended.

Ooooh, this sounds amazing. I would LOVE to go on this tour someday.

It was kinda fun.

Reminds me of the Great Movie Ride!

Yes! Very much so!
Just that amount of
tongue in cheek
cheesiness.

Yeah... go with that.

I was at the edge of my seat reading that whole section. Yikes!

During that drive...
I literally was too.

I love this idea!

 

[franandaj]

I give up! For weeks I have been trying to reply and never seem to find the time. I multi quoted the previous update and the quotes expired before I could get back to actually reply. I don't know what has been keeping me so busy, but it has been!

I'm reading along, but just can't seem to find the screen time to reply. I hope it gets better soon. The good news is that we have almost rented the old place. Turns out it is a previous tenant who rented from us 10 years ago. Now her daughter is all grown up and will be on the rental agreement along with a new fiance. We sign the rental papers today, so now I'm off to write up the rental agreement.

ETA: I actually wrote this yesterday and came back to see if you had commented back only to find that it was still in the section where you type it up!

 

[pkondz]

I give up! For weeks I have been trying to reply and never seem to find the time. I multi quoted the previous update and the quotes expired before I could get back to actually reply. I don't know what has been keeping me so busy, but it has been!

But thanks for dropping by!
I've missed you, Alison!

I'm reading along, but just can't seem to find the screen time to reply. I hope it gets better soon. The good news is that we have almost rented the old place. Turns out it is a previous tenant who rented from us 10 years ago. Now her daughter is all grown up and will be on the rental agreement along with a new fiance. We sign the rental papers today, so now I'm off to write up the rental agreement.

Oh! Man I sure hope
that happens!
Let me know, okay?

ETA: I actually wrote this yesterday and came back to see if you had commented back only to find that it was still in the section where you type it up!

Sometimes I'm fast
(that's what she said)
but I'm not that fast!
(that's what she said)

 

[pkondz]

Festival du Voyageur

I'm going to interrupt
this TR for just a little bit
to tell you about an
annual festival
that occurs every
February in my home town
over ten days.

The Festival du Voyageur
has taken place every February
since 1970.
It's a celebration of the French
culture in Canada as well as
a nod to the early pioneers.
(Specifically, the Voyageurs,
French Canadian canoeists
who transported furs during the
North American fur trading era.
(Early 1800s.))

The Festival has several events
or attractions, such as snow sculpting:

The "catch phrase" of the
Festival is Hé Ho (let's go).

And no French Canadian
festival would be complete
without Beaver Tails.
(Flat pastry with cinnamon
and sugar. mmmmm...)

I went with my youngest DD18, Kay.
We had fun walking around
and just taking in the sights.
Like this recreation of a
First Nation's village:

We also took in the snow
sculptures.
There weren't too many
but the ones that were there
were fun and interesting.

This next one is a bit difficult
to make out,
but it's a bear attacking
a... I think it's an elk.
You can see the bear's head
at the top (see the teeth?)

This next one has me
craving Dole Whip
for some reason.

In the late 1970s,
a few cabins were
built for the Festival,
which eventually morphed
into the recreation
of the original Fort Gibraltar
that existed nearby
in the early 1800s.

Within the Fort
you can take in
blacksmithing
and other early
1800s activities.

Kay, posing for the camera
at the top of one of the
guard towers.

Notice her coloured sash?
It's called a "Ceinture fléchée".
(French for "arrowed belt";
from the pattern.)
It's a traditional French-Canadian
piece of clothing from the 1800s
and the unofficial (or maybe official)
piece of clothing of the Festival.

The "Maison du Bourgeois"
can be booked year round
for private functions.

After wandering around
for about an hour or so,
we stopped to warm up
at one of the many fires
that dot the area.

(Notice that the young women
to Kay's left are both wearing
ceintures fléchée.


These fires are always burning,
yet I never see anyone
tending them.


We then headed off
to the ticket/info office.
Kay paid $10 for an
activity that she'd
always wanted to try.

She was going to go for
a dogsled run!

They put her in a sled
with four other people.
(I passed as I'd done
it when I lived up north.)

Ready...

GO!!!

As you can see,
she had fun.
It was only about
a 7-8 minute run,
but I think it was
money well spent.

The sled they rode in
is not a typical dog sled.
It's designed to carry
passengers.
A regular dog sled looks
like this one.

Designed to be light and fast.

After all that fresh air,
it was time for a visit
to the cabane a sucre.
(Sugar shack)
Traditionally, sugar shacks
are where maple products
are made.

Here, you can get a bite to eat,
listen to traditional (live) music
or...

Have warm maple syrup poured
on a bed of snow.

You then place a stick on
one end of the syrup
and wait about 30 seconds.

Then you roll it up
and eat!
Yumm!!

Kay and I devoured our
treats and...
While there were about
4-5 tents/huts/cabins
with live entertainment
going on,
we were both happy with
what we'd seen/done
and decided to call it a day.

Hope you all enjoyed a little
peek at Western Canada's
largest winter festival!



In case you didn't see it
in the last chapter:

Did you see it in this chapter?
I hope not, because I didn't
put one in.
That too will be continued
in the next update.

Coming up: Back to our regularly scheduled program.

Chapter 14. Turning Japanese​

 

[Aug2020distrip]

Just sat down to read some trip reports, and this thread caught my eye because I was just at Festival today! Had to make an account to say that. Yum to maple syrup on snow and beaver tails!

 

[Tracy161]

Hard pass on Googling
"Blowing Glass".

Good call.

Basically, you take an artist
(Edged weapons experts, or
tattoo artists, costume designers,
or whatever...)
And every episode a panel
of judges rates all the artists'
compositions.
The one with the worst product
has to leave the show
until you have one left at
the end who wins a prize.

Sounds awesome! I'm really excited to see this one. And not just because I have skin in the game

This TR would've
abruptly ended.

I'll say.

During that drive...
I literally was too.

I bet!

Stunning daughter of yours

Hope you all enjoyed a little
peek at Western Canada's
largest winter festival!

Did you see it in this chapter?
I hope not, because I didn't
put one in.

Phew!

 

[pkondz]

Just sat down to read some trip reports, and this thread caught my eye because I was just at Festival today!

Hi!
First off... to the TR!

And...

You were there?
I think I saw you.
Were you wearing a coat?

Had to make an account to say that.

And to the DIS, too!

Yum to maple syrup on snow and beaver tails!

Don't understand why those
aren't on the new Canada Food Guide.

Someone obviously messed up.

 

[pkondz]

Good call.

Sounds awesome! I'm really excited to see this one. And not just because I have skin in the game

You do??
So... two questions...

How much?

And...
Will you know who wins
before it even airs?

I'll say.

Yup.

I bet!

Yup, again.

Stunning daughter of yours

She takes after her mother,
thank goodness.

Phew!