Saskatchewan Saturday

We left the Peg without fanfare and slipped unheralded across the border into Saskatchewan. Most of the driving today looked pretty much exactly like the photo below.

The view through Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Speed limit is 110, because what can happen on a perfectly flat, straight two-lane highway? 

Very Dusty 'Ru

The plan today was to camp at Crooked Lake Provincial Park, north of Grenfell. My first mistake was to follow a sign to Crooked Lake, reasoning that the campground must be located there. I found it after about 40 minutes on a gravel road with washboards and big dust. Big. The Ru was caked by the time we arrived at the Park. Apparently the exit to a paved road leading to the campsite was about two minutes further along the highway. Lesson learned. 

The Lake was well travelled by motor boats, jet skis and pontoon boats. Undaunted, we found Site 51, with our own little beach, and began to set up. H had many swims and I joined her briefly until discovering how reedy it was. 

To be fair, the site was nice. Misgivings began when the temperature kept rising and thunderclouds were forming and it started to rain intermittent big summer-storm drops. The tent has weathered very serious rain and wind, so I wasn't worried about the rain as much as the temperature. Outside the tent it was 30 degrees. Inside, it was easily 35. The old "but it's a dry heat" seemed irrelevant.

Hailey's Beach 

Crooked Lake Campsite

I prevaricated for a while. Regina was almost two hours away, and we had already set up here. Then two things happened that helped me decide to tear it all down and high tail it west. First, a woman in the neighbouring site lit another cigarette and smoke wafted into our site. Then, the clincher: a large pontoon boat glided gracefully onto the beach in front of the other neighbouring site, and discharged 12 very happy party-goers. Thank you, Universe, for the unmistakable Get Outta Dodge signs. 

I counted myself very lucky to be able to change plans and find decent accommodation. 

The drive to Regina was fast and uneventful. 

Not at all chatty until the car stops,
then quite pointed in her suggestions

On the list of things I absolutely needed to have on this trip were the audio books recommended by Karen JW and sister Laurie (again, not a nun). What great company they provide. H offers little in the way of scintillating conversation, seeming to prefer long naps until the car stops and then making pointed suggestions that she be taken for a stroll.

Early this morning at a rest stop just before the Saskatchewan border, I chatted with a young woman who was cycling to Victoria from Montreal. I have seen many cyclists on this trip, making their way up impossible hills around Lake Superior - some in pairs, many solo. I admire them all. 

Kilometres to date: 2,702. Plans for tomorrow may shift depending on weather, temperature and desire to get into Alberta. I have a site reserved at Saskatchewan Landing, but web images have it looking suspiciously like the park I visited today, with the added benefit of rattle snakes. Hmm. Perhaps a more sophisticated urban experience in Medicine Hat? We'll see.