Can Campbell's Conquer Calgary June 23rd

A late arrival in Brandon means a late departure. We were the last ones out of the hotel parking lot. After gassing up and a bite at A&W, we were on the road by 12. Ominous black clouds on the horizon spell the promise of rain.


Large grain elevators herald Brandon's title of Wheat King. It makes me feel akin to The Tragical Hip. (next visit to Limewire).

It is getting wet inside and out. The heavens open up outside and our mascot bamboo plant tips and spills water on ample precious electronics. To add to the ambiance, Kyle is carrying on business over his cell phone and an18 wheeler is challenging us for supremacy of the 1/4 mile drag strip that extends to the horizon.

Technology really helps to reduce boredom on the prairie. Music of all genre's abound. Cell phones keep us in touch on a moments notice. My recent discovery is hooking up the GPS to the computer in real time. I can see that there is a pond behind that berm: that Grenfell has 10 more streets behind the single one I see, an airport and golf course and the CPR runs right through the middle of town.





Just outside Wolseley, we passed the smoking skeletal remains of a smoking Ford Escape on the side of the road. A trailer was still attached. The fire dept was on hand and had all east bound traffic stopped. It is sobering reminder how quickly fortunes can change. Maybe I am pessimistic, but I think the lesson is lost on the 'front seats' . Maybe that is another lesson for me.

The rain has disappeared without benefit to the Escape. The endless asphalt ribbon dries but maintains it's constant PEI ka thump ka thump ka thump.


The Qu'Appelle River stretches out as far as you can see with tentacles that represent varicose veins on the landscape. I can see how a flood in this area could cause such devastation.
Qu'Appelle has historical significance to this area as it was where the railway stopped at the time of the rebellion.




This were the troops disembarked prior to the capture and hanging of Louis Riel.
Every vehicle with a Manitoba licence plate looks like it has just come back from a mud rally. Not one has 'wash me' on it. However there are inscriptions that show more creativity. i.e. 'bet you wish you girl friend was as dirty as my truck'.
Regina and Moose Jaw were just Highway 1 by passes. The landscape is starting to turn to grassy badlands.





We stopped in Swift Current for supper at Boston Pizza and gas. Kyle kicks back and I drive. We decide to call it an early night and stop in Medicine Hat for an early night and head the last 3 hours into Calgary in the morning.




The terrain starts to roll like a grassy desert. We have seen deer along the highway, some grazing and some the victim of collisions. These types of sightings now include coyotes.
We get a room at the Comfort Inn, have a swim, go to a movie and call it a night.

Bulls Eye on Portage & Main June 22nd bis

Bulls Eye on Portage & Main June 22nd bis

Somewhere in Northern Ontario is a trucker with a single digit extended for Kyle. Stopped at construction lights, Kyle decided to pass him when the light turned green. "Oh shits" were exclaimed when he realized the road turned to one lane on the bridge. Good driving, good luck or good brakes kept all paint in its original condition.

Lots of rivers flashing by. Just assed our first vehicle carrying white water kayaks (4 on the roof).

Kyle & I switched driving @ Ignace.
The road continues winding through the woods and the muskeg. The small villages begin to look the same. The larger one have more personality.
Dryden is a little more affluent than anything we have passed in a while. There is a huge factory/mill there but I can't say for what.
Kenora is surrounded by lakes and appears suburban.

West of Kenora the forest and hills subside. We cross the Manitoba border and the highway divides and levels out. The pace picks up and so does the traffic. That is until we come up on 2 lanes traveling at the speed limit. The passing lane is only slightly faster. We tuck into that one and find the reason. A mountie mooseying along. We pass him slowly and pull away just as slowly. Just when I think he is out of sight, he pulls in behind us with the lights flashing. He writes me up for illegal lane change but I think he was just lonely cause he chats my ear off.
Off again, staying in the 'fast lane', I am amazed at how quickly Brett's question of ' where does the prairie start', is answered.

Winnipeg looms on the horizon forever. We head for Portage & Main with dueling directions from Garmin & Google. Pictures and waves to Uncle Alan, and back on the road. Close to midnight in either time zone and we get lost finding our way back to the highway. Kyle thinks it is a shitty driver and I think navigator.
We stop, collect our bearings and choose our weapons of navigation. We switch roles which means we go to our strengths. Let the Google/Garmin Games begin.
We find the hotel after consuming an Adult Happy Meal only to not find a room available.
Undaunted, we head west into the night with tunes blasting.
We agree not to push our luck or our alertness by stopping in Brandon 90 kms away.

Days of Thunder June 22nd

Days of Thunder June 22nd

Knock, knock, knock, yes we are checking out today, but not for another hour.
We all slept in and slept well. Brett and Kyle complained about each other's snoring. LOL, I think it is great that they are not complaining about mine.
Thunder Bay is our first leg this morning, but we don't plan to stop long as Winnipeg is only 975 km away so we are going to go for it.

The drive is beautiful. Good pavement, rocky terrain, pocketed with lakes, hilly & rugged with Superior doing a cameo appearance occasionally. Traffic is light and consists of 18 wheelers, Harleys and the most U Haul Products I have ever seen.
Fungus Lake / Fungus Creek has crept into the number one best name spot. Kyle is back in charge of the music. I now know what head banging music means. I think I will take a break right now to load some Eagles into my MP3.
Brunch at Drifters Restaurant. Buffet, fast and filling. Then back on the road. Three thumbs up.

The bikers traveling east are all in their rain gear so I expect we are in for a wet time. The dark clouds over the mountain nod in agreement.

Crossing the Nipigon River in heavy showers. Pretty community nestled among rolling hills at the mouth of a fast moving, medium size river. Too wet to take a picture next to the large statue of the Nipigon Pike. Judging by the number of canoes, kayaks & ATV's on the back of F150's, this is Sportsman's Heaven.

Approaching Thunder Bay on the Terry Fox Memorial Highway, we stopped at a Look Off / Tourist Bureau dedicated to Terry Fox at the site where he had to abandon his run in 1981. The statue and monument did a good job capturing his impact on Canadians.
Thunder Bay was a gas, rest and refreshment stop. With the cooler full, we head up the 102 short cut.

So ends the Days of Thunder.