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

[KathyM2]

You haven't been here
since last year!



(I know. Old joke.
I still like it.)

Yeah an oldie but a goodie lol

I can't eat them right now.
I've decided to try and see
how long I can go without
eating chips.
And hickory sticks,
while not chips,
are potato based so...
They're a no go.

I miss chips.
Haven't had any since
November 2015.

OMG no chips since 2015???? Seriously?? That can't include french fries though right? That would be eliminating a major food group for me. Although I actually do have a friend who made a bet with someone that if they could go a year without french fries that they would then celebrate by flying to Belgium and having fries as they were designed...with lard and double fried lol.

Had to look up hickory sticks.
In the US we just call them potato sticks and they usually come in a can not a bag.
DW loves them. I like em well enough, but not my go to snack.

Yeah those potato sticks are good, but Hickory Sticks are like that but with a bacony, smokey flavour...takes it up a notch lol. But hey, you Americans have all kinds of junk foody goodness that we can't get in Canada. There are a rare few nuggets here that we have that you don't (google Crunchie bar too lol) But you guys really have us beat in the snack foods aisles!

 

[pkondz]

Yeah an oldie but a goodie lol

OMG no chips since 2015???? Seriously??

Yep. Kinda craving them though...

That can't include french fries though right?

No. I've done that, though.
My youngest DD and I
went without fries for a year
back in... 2014, I believe?

Although I actually do have a friend who made a bet with someone that if they could go a year without french fries that they would then celebrate by flying to Belgium and having fries as they were designed...with lard and double fried lol.

Better than us.
We went downtown
to Smoke's Poutinerie
and celebrated with
two poutines!

Yeah those potato sticks are good, but Hickory Sticks are like that but with a bacony, smokey flavour...takes it up a notch lol. But hey, you Americans have all kinds of junk foody goodness that we can't get in Canada.

There are a rare few nuggets here that we have that you don't (google Crunchie bar too lol) But you guys really have us beat in the snack foods aisles!

@docsoliday1 doesn't have to
Google it. He's seen it.
(and possibly eaten it.
Or gave it to his DD.)

 

[pkondz]

Is This Kansas?

I got an early start.
And what I mean by early
is capitalizing on someone
else's mistake.

Allow me to explain
and expound.

We all know one...
Well... maybe that's
an over-generalization.
Many of us know one...

Hmmm....

Let's try again.

Some of us know one...


I know this one person...
This person is habitually
late coming to work.
And when you can't go home
because you are waiting
for that person to relieve you...

Annoyance happens.

One day, this particular individual
arrived one hour late for their shift.
I had two choices:
I could make them take vacation
time and take an hour of overtime
for myself...
Or... as this person suggested,
I could just have them pay me back.

And that person suggested
that they pay me back on a
particular day.
"You're working a day shift
and then the night shift that night.
I can come in an hour early at
the end of your day shift."

No.

You don't get to choose.
I do.

And I picked July 9th.

And I'm sure it sucked.
But... don't be late
and you won't have to do it again.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.


Let's go back to July 8th.
The day before the start
of the road trip that you
will be reading about
over the next few updates.


I woke up at 5:00am.
Getting up that early sucks,
but at least when it's a vacation
morning, it's not so bad, right???

Except it was the day before
my vacation... and I had to
get up that early for work.

I worked until 2:30pm
then headed to the grocery store
to pick up some ingredients.
Got home eventually and
cooked supper for the fam.
Quickly packed up my schtuff
and tossed it all in the trunk
of the car.
And then I headed out.

No. Not on vacation.
I told you it was the
next day. Sheesh!
Pay attention, class!

I got to work at 10:30pm.
I was working until 6:45am.
The plan was to leave work
and drive west through
Saskatchewan that day.

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

More on that at the appropriate time.
(No. This is not the time.
It just feels like it is.)


But you know what?
It'd be nice to be able to
get even a little head start
on the day, don't you think?

And I knew juuuuust how
to arrange that.

I imagine it would really suck
to have to get up an extra
hour early on an already
very early workday.

Yup. Plenty of suckage there.

And I didn't feel even a little
bit bad about it.


Have to admit... I had my doubts
that my perennially late
co-worker would be an hour early.
Heck, I had my doubts that they'd
be anything other than over
an hour late!

But, much to my surprise,
right at 5:45, one hour early,
my relief showed up.


Seconds later, I was out da door.


The next two and a half hours
took me through gently rolling
hills to the small city of Brandon, MB.
I stopped at a McDonalds
for a gourmet breakfast
of Eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles
served with fruit and whipped cream,
all washed down with a mimosa.


Or I had a sausage and egg McMuffin.

One of those two options.


And then... I entered
the province of Saskatchewan.


Saskatchewan is dull.
It's flat.
And it goes on... for ever.

I did however take one photo
along the drive.
I mean, when something
exciting happens, you should
document, it right?

Behold!
A power line!!

I know. I know.
You're all wondering how
you too can see this wondrous sight.
I'm afraid I can't tell you.
My mind was far too numb
by that point.

Saskatchewan makes North Dakota
look positively over-populated.


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.)
The largest city is Saskatoon.
(pop. 246,000)
You'd think the capital of a place
called Saskatchewan would be
another place called Saskatoon.
But when the early settlers arrived,
their collective minds were too
numb to think clearly, and so...


Regina has one Harley shop.
Witness the glory and majesty
of the Regina Harley dealership!

Truly inspires one to get
out on the road and
into the wind, no?

While the Harley shop disappoints,
Regina is home to something
that was a bit of a pleasant surprise.
Not sure why I was surprised...
Perhaps the Harley shop had
set the bar low.


Very low.


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

The complex houses several buildings,
the oldest (1883) was originally, a
North-West Mounted Police guardhouse.
But I was primarily there to see
the RCMP Heritage Centre.

The building and its contents,
"pays tribute to the Force's fabled
history and its ongoing role in
Canadian society."

Before entering, I wandered the
grounds for a bit.
While there is a dedicated Memorial
which lists all the RCMP members
who have died on duty,
I found several trees
that had been dedicated
to individually named fallen members.

This tree was dedicated to
one of the four officers killed
at Mayerthorpe, Alberta,
the worst multiple-officer killing
in recent Canadian history.

I sashayed inside after,
a little quieter than when
I arrived.


The interior is spacious and
peppered with displays.
It's not a massive amount
so didn't take very long
to see everything.
Given more time, I would've
given more attention to
all the placards filled with
information, but I really
just wanted an overview.

I spent maybe an hour or so.

Here are some of the highlights...

A display of how the uniforms
have changed over time:

And this large diorama
showing various activities
that the Mounties have
performed through the years

It was actually fairly impressive.
You'll note how white the figures
are in the above photos.
Canadians don't get a lot
of summer sun, you know.



The following photo shows
an interactive display.

Not sure how many of you have
heard of the RCMP Musical Ride?
It's a show of horseback mounted
RCMP officers who perform
various manoeuvres.
They've been doing it since 1887
in various venues throughout
the world.
Despite the casters,
once you mounted onto
the saddle, it didn't move.
But with the VR headset on,
it did feel like you were riding
along with the troop.
Fun little diversion.

I liked this fur coat.
1. Must be really warm.
2. Would be immediately
splashed with red paint
in some parts of the continent.

Different times though.
When it was a necessity,
not a fashion statement.​

I also was intrigued by
this wall of medals and
decorations.
I had no idea there
were so many!

And that was about it.
There was more, of course,
but those were some of the
highlights.

As I was getting ready to
head back out on the road,
a hand clapped down
on my shoulder.

"Where do ya think you're going?"
The voice asked.
I glanced back to see who was
speaking to me and was
a bit startled to see a very
gruff looking RCMP sergeant
glaring at me.
I didn't know if I'd inadvertently
done something wrong?
Had I broken the VR headset
or something?

"Uh... ex..excuse me?" I stammered.

I don't know about you, but an
angry looking cop with his hand
on your shoulder is a bit disconcerting.

"I said." He said. "Where do ya think
you're going?"

I was at a bit of a loss.
"Um... I... uh... to my car?"
I mumbled.

"Oh, no." He asserted.
"Didn't ye read the sign, boy?"

He pointed to a small sign
that was near the entrance.

He marched me over and had
me read it.
It basically said that anyone
entering essentially was agreeing
to enlisting in the force.


Great.

In the words of the immortal
Danny Glover in Lethal Weapon,
Lethal Weapon 2, Lethal Weapon 3,
Lethal Weapon 4, and Maverick...

I'm too old for this... uh... stuff.


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.

I may have squealed some tires
out of the parking lot.

I'm now a fugitive and a deserter.
Don't tell them where I live, okay?


I beat a hasty retreat down the road
until, about forty five minutes later,
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.

And to celebrate their oddly
named little city, they have
(until recently)
the world's largest moose statue.

This moose statue stands
at an impressive thirty two
feet in height.

However, recently, a moose
statue in Norway was unveiled
that stands thirty three feet high.

Apparently, this tidbit of info
was picked up by the media
and even made it onto
The Late Show's Stephen Colbert's
program.

According to Colbert,
he quotes the Mayor of
Moose Jaw as saying of
the moose statue:
"It was not only the pride of Moose Jaw,
but of all of Canada."

"No it wasn't said all of Canada." Quipped Colbert.
(Correctly, I might add.)

The mayor then went on to say that the
statue would be made bigger,
perhaps with a bigger rack.

Again, Colbert responded:
"Need to clarify "bigger rack"."

Add some high heels and
that would do the trick.

Um... maybe "trick"
isn't any better than "rack".


If you are so inclined,
you could scroll back up
to the first moose photo
and you might notice
a plane on a pedestal
in the background.

The plane is a CL-41 Tutor.
A jet trainer used since
the 1960s, and still
in use by Canada's
aerobatic team, the Snowbirds,
which is based near Moose Jaw.

And while Moose Jaw boasts
the world's (second... for now)
tallest moose and the Snowbirds,
I was here for more nefarious reasons.

Moose Jaw is also famous for
its tunnels.
Several downtown buildings
are connected by underground
tunnels originally built beginning
around 1908.
Originally built as an underground
steam system (which was abandoned),
the tunnels were used to hide Chinese
railway workers.
Then, in the 1920s, the tunnels
were used for rum-running
during US prohibition.
The illegal booze was warehoused
in the tunnels then moved by rail
south of the border.
The tunnels were also used for
prostitution and gambling,
with the blessing of a corrupt
police chief.

While there is no photographic proof,
several eye witnesses claim to have
seen Al Capone in Moose Jaw.
Capone's grandniece also confirmed
that Al was in Moose Jaw at some point
prior to his conviction for tax evasion.

I needed to learn the truth.
To uncover if Big Al really was there.
And there was only one way to do it...

Unfortunately, those are the only
photos I took.
Photography on the tour is
not permitted, which was
disappointing.
It had been one of the reasons
I went in the first place.

While not being able to
take photos was disappointing,
the tour wasn't.
While it was over-the-top kitschy,
it was still fun... and interesting.
There were a few rooms done up
in 1920s style that we visited
before descending into the tunnels.
The tunnels were old and authentic.
Our guides were first a moll
(a gangster’s girl)
and then a gangster.
They played up their roles
to the hilt.

I enjoyed it.


After the tour, I set out on
the final leg of the day's journey.
A roughly two hour drive to
Gull Lake, SK where I would
crash for the night.

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

As I drove on, the sky took
a definite turn for the "Yikes!"

I'm no expert
(okay... technically I am)
but that doesn't look good.

I had an audiobook playing
but... I wasn't paying any
attention to it.
My eyes were riveted on
the threatening clouds
ahead and to my right.

Suddenly, a piercing alarm
blared through the speakers!
What in the world???
I glanced at my phone and
saw something similar to this:

"ATTENTION. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING
THIS MESSAGE, TORNADOES HAVE BEEN
OBSERVED IN YOUR AREA. SEEK SHELTER
IMMEDIATELY."


Um... that's probably not good, right?


I kept driving with my attention
probably more on the sky than the road.
(Luckily... Saskatchewan... no curves or turns.)
There was a particularly low, dark area that
was off to the right.
I figured if I just kept driving, I'd pass it by.
But as I drove, it crept closer and closer
to the highway.
I glanced more and more at it.
Was I going to miss it?
Or was I going to drive into it?

It came closer and closer until...
it passed directly over me.

I hunched forward over the
steering wheel and uneasily
peered upwards.
Shreds of clouds were rapidly
rotating directly above me.

Technically I'm an expert.
I know the difference between
a funnel cloud and a tornado.
A tornado is a funnel cloud
that reaches the surface of
the Earth.

This was a funnel cloud.
And I was getting a very
up-close and personal look at it.

I may have pushed the pedal
a little closer to the floor.
And I may also have let out
my breath with a whoosh
when I left the funnel cloud
in my rear-view mirror.

Not an activity that I would recommend.


An hour or so later,
I arrived at the Gull Lake
Campground.

You may be questioning
my decision to stay
at a campground when
there were tornadoes in
the area.

I kinda questioned that myself.
But as you can see, I'd left
the weather behind
and the skies were blue.

The campsite was nice enough.
Small, not crowded, with shade.
There was a slot in the office door
to leave your $5 camping fee.
That same building also served as
the public washrooms and,
I reasoned,
a fairly sturdy building to ride
out a tornado in.
If need be.

Oh... there was no lake.
I found out (much) later
that there was a lake.
About a mile away, across
the highway, and
only about 1 mile long
by 1/3 mile long.
Maybe they shoulda
called it Gull Pond..

I set up for the night and
quickly realized that it was
too early to sleep.
Sure, I'd been up at least
35 hours by then, but it
was 29C/84F out and
I knew I wouldn't be able
to sleep anyways.
I went to a local grocery store
and got some ice and a few
snacks and drinks.
Popped over to the gas
station and filled up
for the next day,
then returned to my
campsite.

Okay... now it's
time for sleep.

Night, all.


Map for this update:

In case you didn't see it:

Did you see it in this chapter?

Coming up... Go West, young (old) man...

Chapter 13. Festival du Voyageur​

 

[MamaBelle4]

I saw it!

While there is a dedicated Memorial
which lists all the RCMP members
who have died on duty,
I found several trees
that had been dedicated
to individually named fallen members.

What a lovely memorial.

Um... maybe "trick"
isn't any better than "rack".

No, it probably isn't

There were a few rooms done up
in 1920s style that we visited
before descending into the tunnels.
The tunnels were old and authentic.
Our guides were first a moll
(a gangster’s girl)
and then a gangster.

That sounds fascinating!

(Luckily... Saskatchewan... no curves or turns.)

Or, based on your pictures, other traffic.

And I may also have let out
my breath with a whoosh
when I left the funnel cloud
in my rear-view mirror.

Did you see this in your rearview mirror as well??

 

[MAGICFOR2]

All caught up again! You really put in alot of miles so see all of those DIS smiles! Okay, I get a gold star for making a rhyme. Thanks so much for sharing your adventures. It is always fun to read what you are up to next. If you come to the PNW again, I hope we get a chance to meet up. If you do the South to North, you will be heading up I-5 about 90 miles from here, so I would be happy to saunter on over to see you. Unless it's Winter, then I'll be happy as long as I don't need chains.

 

[cindianne320]

Yikes! Glad you safely arrived at your campground- weather like that is terrifying! Sidenote- my grandma grew up in Indian Head.

 

[Steppesister]

Annoyance happens.

Uh oh... I just wrote about the time my Annoyance O'Meter did a bit of rising...

I could make them take vacation
time and take an hour of overtime
for myself...
Or... as this person suggested,
I could just have them pay me back.

I'd take Door #2. Management doesn't usually take kindly to doling out OT unnecessarily.

But, much to my surprise,
right at 5:45, one hour early,
my relief showed up.

Miracles never cease.

Or I had a sausage and egg McMuffin.

I actually like one on occasion. YOu might want to try one next time you do a border crossing. Might come in handy.

Pretty for a hour or two. After that.... positively boring.

Eventually I arrived at the
capital city, Regina.
(Rhymes with... the DIS won't let me say.)

Truly inspires one to get
out on the road and
into the wind, no?

no.

Interesting architecture!

I found several trees
that had been dedicated
to individually named fallen members.

That's a really cool concept!

Looks like some very interesting things to see in there.

It was actually fairly impressive.
You'll note how white the figures
are in the above photos.
Canadians don't get a lot
of summer sun, you know.

Umm, sorry, you have 48.7% MORE sunshine that me. Let's not talk about pasty white.

I've made my reservation for the HM AirBnB.

2. Would be immediately
splashed with red paint
in some parts of the continent.

Different times though.
When it was a necessity,
not a fashion statement.

May I remind you that your temperature didn't go above -20 for a solid week last month. Fur is quite useful and actually FAR superior to synthetics and should you own some, has its place. I was never more thankful for something warm to wear than when I almost died on the Crapistani Steppe in -20 weather.

Great variety!

He marched me over and had
me read it.
It basically said that anyone
entering essentially was agreeing
to enlisting in the force.


Great.

I'm sure your co-worker won't notice when you come back a few years late.

Very dapper!

I wonder who her Plastics Guy is!

They played up their roles
to the hilt.

I enjoyed it.

That sounds like a lot of good old fashioned fun!

OH boy! Looks like an important ATIS update.

I hunched forward over the
steering wheel and uneasily
peered upwards.
Shreds of clouds were rapidly
rotating directly above me.

Uh yeah!!!

 

[thumper*]

Pretty ladies and since they put up with you, obviously nice also.

Awe thanks

 

[pkondz]

I saw it!

Figured I'd start off
the new trip with
an easy one.

What a lovely memorial.

Agreed.
I really liked that.

No, it probably isn't

That sounds fascinating!

It was pretty cool.
I don't know if they did
this just for show or if
they existed back in the 20s,
but they had secret doors
in a couple places that
were fun, too.

Or, based on your pictures, other traffic.

Of course not.
It's Saskatchewan.
Who would go there???

Did you see this in your rearview mirror as well??

Cow!

 

[pkondz]

All caught up again!

And now you'll have
a whole new adventure
to follow along to.

You really put in alot of miles so see all of those DIS smiles!

And totally worth it!

Okay, I get a gold star for making a rhyme.

Thanks so much for sharing your adventures. It is always fun to read what you are up to next.

More to come.

If you come to the PNW again, I hope we get a chance to meet up. If you do the South to North, you will be heading up I-5 about 90 miles from here, so I would be happy to saunter on over to see you. Unless it's Winter, then I'll be happy as long as I don't need chains.

I think it very likely that I will.
Perhaps as early as next year.
Sure would be nice to meet up, Tammie. :goodbives

 

[pkondz]

Yikes! Glad you safely arrived at your campground- weather like that is terrifying!

It was a little... unnerving.

Sidenote- my grandma grew up in Indian Head.

Oh! Drove right by it.

 

[pkondz]

Uh oh... I just wrote about the time my Annoyance O'Meter did a bit of rising...

I saw that!

I'd take Door #2. Management doesn't usually take kindly to doling out OT unnecessarily.

And that's just why I
considered it.
If management got mad
that it was costing them
overtime, maybe they'd
do something about it.

But, in this case, coming
in an hour early was more
beneficial to me.

Miracles never cease.

Yup. Was pretty relieved.

I actually like one on occasion. YOu might want to try one next time you do a border crossing. Might come in handy.

Excellent advice!

Pretty for a hour or two. After that.... positively boring.

An hour or two??

Heh. You obviously don't live
on the prairies.
I was bored... immediately.

no.

Correct.

Interesting architecture!

I liked it! It was very unexpected
compared to all the older buildings
that made up the rest of the campus.

That's a really cool concept!

I liked it.

Looks like some very interesting things to see in there.

I was a bit surprised, actually.
I had no idea what I'd find.

Umm, sorry, you have 48.7% MORE sunshine that me. Let's not talk about pasty white.

I've made my reservation for the HM AirBnB.

We do get sun...
You just can't tan when it's
minus four hundred degrees out.

May I remind you that your temperature didn't go above -20 for a solid week last month. Fur is quite useful and actually FAR superior to synthetics and should you own some, has its place. I was never more thankful for something warm to wear than when I almost died on the Crapistani Steppe in -20 weather.

It was a bit chilly there for a bit.
And yes. Fur is warm.

Great variety!

Had no idea there were
so many!

I'm sure your co-worker won't notice when you come back a few years late.

Touché!

Very dapper!

Why, thank you, ma'am.

I wonder who her Plastics Guy is!

I asked.
She was mum about it.

That sounds like a lot of good old fashioned fun!

OH boy! Looks like an important ATIS update.

Ugh.
I can't even imagine how many
if that went by.

Uh yeah!!!

Yeah!

 

[docsoliday1]

Yep. Kinda craving them though...



No. I've done that, though.
My youngest DD and I
went without fries for a year
back in... 2014, I believe?



Better than us.
We went downtown
to Smoke's Poutinerie
and celebrated with
two poutines!









@docsoliday1 doesn't have to
Google it. He's seen it.
(and possibly eaten it.
Or gave it to his DD.)

Both. We split it as we did with most of what you brought. If I recall, the crunchie was my least favorite. I like toffee, but the texture or taste (maybe both) of it was meh. I don't recall now, but I don't think she liked it either.

 

[Pluto0809]

One day, this particular individual
arrived one hour late for their shift.

I stopped at a McDonalds
for a gourmet breakfast
of Eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles
served with fruit and whipped cream,
all washed down with a mimosa.

Hmmm, sounds like your McDonald's are a lot fancier than those down here in the states.

A power line!!

An Alien!

RCMP Heritage Centre.

Very cool. Thanks for all the pictures.

Canadians don't get a lot
of summer sun, you know.

Not sure how many of you have
heard of the RCMP Musical Ride?

Nope, never heard of it. I was curious enough to look it up though hoping they might do shows in America. Nope, only Canada.

I'm too old for this... uh... stuff.

Love the picture though!

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

Animal butt are pretty popular, you know. I have about 100 pictures of those from my many safaris at Disney.

If you are so inclined,
you could scroll back up
to the first moose photo
and you might notice
a plane on a pedestal
in the background.

I actually did notice it when I first looked at the photo. Kind of gives perspective on how big that moose really is.

ATTENTION. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING
THIS MESSAGE, TORNADOES HAVE BEEN
OBSERVED IN YOUR AREA. SEEK SHELTER
IMMEDIATELY."

Man, I swear you have the worse driving luck ever!

Did you see it in this chapter?

Yep.

 

[Terra Nova guy]

I know this one person...
This person is habitually
late coming to work.
And when you can't go home
because you are waiting
for that person to relieve you...

I've done shift work. I've had that happen to me before. Not fun.

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

I have never done it. But heard stories about doing it. I am not sure I could stay awake.

And I didn't feel even a little
bit bad about it.

I don't blame you. I wouldn't either.

I stopped at a McDonalds
for a gourmet breakfast
of Eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles
served with fruit and whipped cream,
all washed down with a mimosa.


Or I had a sausage and egg McMuffin.

Either it was the McMuffin, or Brandon is way more refined than I expected.

Behold!
A power line!!

So there is something to look at in Saskatchewan!
And a hitchhiker too!

The complex houses several buildings,
the oldest (1883) was originally, a
North-West Mounted Police guardhouse.
But I was primarily there to see
the RCMP Heritage Centre.

I have never seen this building. Has a very interesting look.

This tree was dedicated to
one of the four officers killed
at Mayerthorpe, Alberta,
the worst multiple-officer killing
in recent Canadian history.

Sad. I can't say much else.

Not sure how many of you have
heard of the RCMP Musical Ride?

Heard of it. Seen it (many years ago when I was a kid). I suspect you still get performances in Winnipeg fairly often. It seemed like when I was a kid the Musical Ride would come east at least every other year. My DD is 11 and I recall only once the Ride coming here in those 11 years, and the timing didn't work out to see it.

I also was intrigued by
this wall of medals and
decorations.
I had no idea there
were so many!

Nor did I. Impressive.

I'm too old for this... uh... stuff.

You do look pretty smart though.

This moose statue stands
at an impressive thirty two
feet in height.

However, recently, a moose
statue in Norway was unveiled
that stands thirty three feet high.

I was hoping you would bring that feud up.
I heard on the radio just this morning that a Norwegian band has put out a song about it, which has also been countered with a song from a Canadian band. I don't recall the band name.

Moose Jaw is also famous for
its tunnels.

Now that is something I had never heard of. Interesting.

While not being able to
take photos was disappointing,
the tour wasn't.
While it was over-the-top kitschy,
it was still fun... and interesting.
There were a few rooms done up
in 1920s style that we visited
before descending into the tunnels.
The tunnels were old and authentic.
Our guides were first a moll
(a gangster’s girl)
and then a gangster.
They played up their roles
to the hilt.

Sounds like it's well done. I suppose some would find it corny, but having the guides in character like that makes it more enjoyable I think.

"ATTENTION. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING
THIS MESSAGE, TORNADOES HAVE BEEN
OBSERVED IN YOUR AREA. SEEK SHELTER
IMMEDIATELY."


Um... that's probably not good, right?

Umm...no. Not good, I think.

I glanced more and more at it.
Was I going to miss it?
Or was I going to drive into it?

Have you not seen the movie "Twister"?!!!
Get out of there!
Honestly though, I'm not sure what I would have done. Panicked I suspect. Tornadoes are extremely rare on the Atlantic coast. I wouldn't know what to do.

Okay... now it's
time for sleep

I love this. I used to do some tenting. It's been years. It would be great to take it up again.

 

[vamassey1]

I know this one person...
This person is habitually
late coming to work.
And when you can't go home
because you are waiting
for that person to relieve you...

Annoyance happens.

One of my pet peeves and very inconsiderate.

And I didn't feel even a little
bit bad about it.

I wouldn't either. Turn about is fair play.

Saskatchewan is dull.
It's flat.
And it goes on... for ever.

Like when you're driving though Texas.

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

Very cool.

I sashayed inside after,
a little quieter than when
I arrived.

Respect.

Very interesting. So why did they choose red?

"Oh, no." He asserted.
"Didn't ye read the sign, boy?"

Hind sight is 20/20.

I'm now a fugitive and a deserter.
Don't tell them where I live, okay?

Ok but it will cost you.

Moose Jaw is also famous for
its tunnels.
Several downtown buildings
are connected by underground
tunnels originally built beginning
around 1908.
Originally built as an underground
steam system (which was abandoned),
the tunnels were used to hide Chinese
railway workers.
Then, in the 1920s, the tunnels
were used for rum-running
during US prohibition.
The illegal booze was warehoused
in the tunnels then moved by rail
south of the border.
The tunnels were also used for
prostitution and gambling,
with the blessing of a corrupt
police chief.

So basically the tunnels were used for all kinds of illegal activity.

I enjoyed it.

I think I would too. I love history.

Not an activity that I would recommend.

I think I would have tried to out run it too. Was there anywhere you could have stopped since it was just a wide open area?

Your camping area was beautiful.

Did you see it in this chapter?

I did and he didn't seem bored.

 

[pkondz]

Both. We split it as we did with most of what you brought. If I recall, the crunchie was my least favorite. I like toffee, but the texture or taste (maybe both) of it was meh. I don't recall now, but I don't think she liked it either.

Everyone's tastes are
different.
Why we're not all eating
Soylent Green.

I do like that you split
them, though.

 

[pkondz]

My thoughts exactly.

Hmmm, sounds like your McDonald's are a lot fancier than those down here in the states.

An Alien!

What? Where????

Very cool. Thanks for all the pictures.

You're welcome.

Nope, never heard of it. I was curious enough to look it up though hoping they might do shows in America. Nope, only Canada.

Not so!
July 12, 13 they'll be in Lexington, KY.
About six hours north of you, though,
so might be a bit far to go.
(Also in West Springfield, MA in Sept.
but that's quite a bit farther.)

Love the picture though!

Thanks!

Animal butt are pretty popular, you know. I have about 100 pictures of those from my many safaris at Disney.

I actually did notice it when I first looked at the photo. Kind of gives perspective on how big that moose really is.

32 feet.
But more when it gets
a new rack.

uhh… antlers.

Man, I swear you have the worse driving luck ever!

Another little... incident
coming up in the next
update.

Yep.

Noticed.

 

[pkondz]

I've done shift work. I've had that happen to me before. Not fun.

Nope. Inconsiderate.

I have never done it. But heard stories about doing it. I am not sure I could stay awake.

Throw in a tornado or two.
Does wonders for keeping
you awake.

I don't blame you. I wouldn't either.

I don't mind at all if it
happens once in a while.
I mean... it happens.
But when it's every day...

No.

Either it was the McMuffin, or Brandon is way more refined than I expected.

Brandon is known Canada-wide
for it's refinement.

No. Wait...
It refines wieners.
(Maple Leaf Foods
is the largest employer.)

So there is something to look at in Saskatchewan!
And a hitchhiker too!

It has everything!!

I have never seen this building. Has a very interesting look.

I thought so too.
Very different from all
the older style buildings
that make up the rest
of Depot.

Sad. I can't say much else.

Pretty much.
Terrible thing.

Heard of it. Seen it (many years ago when I was a kid). I suspect you still get performances in Winnipeg fairly often. It seemed like when I was a kid the Musical Ride would come east at least every other year. My DD is 11 and I recall only once the Ride coming here in those 11 years, and the timing didn't work out to see it.

This year's schedule has them
going no further east than
Quebec.

You do look pretty smart though.

Really?
Sarge said I looked stupid.
One of the reasons
I took off.

He was mean.

I was hoping you would bring that feud up.
I heard on the radio just this morning that a Norwegian band has put out a song about it, which has also been countered with a song from a Canadian band. I don't recall the band name.

No, I hadn't heard that!

Now that is something I had never heard of. Interesting.

Yup.
I've known about them
for a long time.

Sounds like it's well done. I suppose some would find it corny, but having the guides in character like that makes it more enjoyable I think.

Well... while I did enjoy it,
I also was up around 30 hours
by that point, so may have
been a bit giddy.

Umm...no. Not good, I think.

No.

Have you not seen the movie "Twister"?!!!
Get out of there!
Honestly though, I'm not sure what I would have done. Panicked I suspect. Tornadoes are extremely rare on the Atlantic coast. I wouldn't know what to do.

They're pretty rare here too.
And yet... just outside of
Winnipeg (in 2007) is where
Canada's only F5 tornado struck.

I love this. I used to do some tenting. It's been years. It would be great to take it up again.

I hadn't in years either.
I enjoyed it, but did it
in a pretty relaxed way.
Tent for a couple days,
then hotel for a nice bed
and shower.

 

[pkondz]

One of my pet peeves and very inconsiderate.

Yes. Very.

I wouldn't either. Turn about is fair play.

When I worked in Churchill, MB,
there was a guy who was always
5 minutes late.
Every day.

Eventually, I got tired of it.
I came in to relieve him one
morning 30 minutes late.
I didn't call... just showed up
half an hour after he was
supposed to go home.

He said. "Kinda late, aren't you?"
I said. "Oh, you've been 5 minutes
late every day, so I'm just taking
back some of the time you owe me."

He was never late again.

Like when you're driving though Texas.

I superimposed the State
of Texas on Saskatchewan.
I drove most of the way
(equivalent) across that day.



Just out of interest...
Manitoba is 250,116 square miles.
Texas is 268,597.
(second largest State)
Very similar in size.

Very cool.

Respect.

Yes. Vey much.

Very interesting. So why did they choose red?

That's a good question. I found this:
"The red serge was adopted as part of its standard uniform by the NWMP [North West Mounted Police] from its establishment in 1873."

But it doesn't say why.

I also found this:
"When a western constabulary was first considered, Sir John A. Macdonald was determined that there be as little gold lace, fuss, and feathers as possible. He believed that the appearance of the unit should reflect its purpose: an efficient police force for the ready enforcement of the law in Western Canada. In keeping with this spirit, the original dress was extremely simple.

A loose-fitting red Norfolk jacket without lace or facings, having a roll collar and large skirt pockets, was worn with steel-grey Bedford cord breeches. Dark-blue trousers with a double white stripe were issued for dismounted duties."

Again, though, it doesn't say
why red, in particular,
was chosen.

Hind sight is 20/20.

I wear pants so my
hind sight isn't good.
Maybe when you wear
a skirt, you can see better?

Ok but it will cost you.

Uh, oh...
What are your demands?

So basically the tunnels were used for all kinds of illegal activity.

I think I would too. I love history.

Funny thing.
I hated history
(and geography)
in school.
Now I'm fascinated.

I think I would have tried to out run it too. Was there anywhere you could have stopped since it was just a wide open area?

Nope.
Just wide open prairie.

Your camping area was beautiful.

I liked it.
Plenty of shade.

I did and he didn't seem bored.

Probably panicked
that no one was picking
him up with a twister coming.