Saskatoon turned into a bit of an adventure for us.  We arrived quite early, just after lunch.  The straight, flat roads are turning into a challenge.  We all have trouble staying awake.  It isn’t boring, in fact its beautiful, yet it is monotonous driving.  So we opted for a short day.  We needed one thing coming into town - a grocery store. Passed several off in the distance, but because of getting on or off the thruway they were hard to reach.  So Jack followed a sign that said city centre and we spent the next hour trying to a) find a store, or b) get back on the thru way so we would check in to our campground.  Finally did it, checked in then ventured out with directions to a store.

They were off, but we succeeded, got grub and started to hunt for a new camera for Carol.  London Drugs/phone calls to John/harried ride across town to Future Shop and several hours later we succeeded.  Everyone’s a bit frazzled but she has a new toy.  In the process, Russ got a mini laptop computer so now they can take photos off the cards, look at them and save them.

So now Jack is giving Carol camera lessons and I’m helping Russ with the computer.  Few nights will have them on track.

Big sky country is even more evident as we leave Saskatoon.  We keep crossing the North Saskatchewan River, and will probably do so again in Alberta.  Its beautiful, but again hard to stay awake.  One bit of fun, we stopped for coffee and puffed wheat cake in rural Saskatchewan.  Came out and realized there was a prairie dog town beside the parking lot.  So C&R enjoyed seeing the little critters at play.

As we crossed the border between Saskatchewan and Alberta I had a bit of a chuckle.  There was a big sign declaring Alberta a rat-free zone.  I always wonder if the rats can read, or whether they have some other way of convincing them not to venturing across the provincial borders. In Lloydminster we stopped and purchased $30 worth of cherries, beef jerky and other fruit from two guys with a pickup.  Expensive, but delicious.

Soon we pulled into Vermillion Lake Provincial Park, the most expensive, and worst of the camp grounds so far.  Site in a dusty field, dirty washrooms and etc.

Next morning we visited two small towns in seach of a Royal Bank for Russ.  No banks, just the Treasury Board and it isn’t open until Tuesday.  Weird

Gave up and put the peddle down to get to Elk Island National Park.  On our drive through saw two herds of Bison, with lots of babies, as well as prairie dogs. Had a picnic lunch, explored a little more then headed into Edmonton.  Hateful place.  Traffic is crazy.

We called Jack’s sister Patty for directions to a Royal Bank and ended up close to their place so we met for coffee, got groceries and then took the bullet between our teeth and hit the highway to 

go through Edmonton to our campground.  Took some circular navigation, but we finally got into our site and set up.  Glad to be stopping for a few days.  Pat and Gordon came out for a visit in the evening.

Now we are really in Big Sky country, and long days.  Light at 4 am, dark at 11 pm.  Weird going to bed in the dark.

More next time,

 

Julie

Remember if you want to get in touch email me at julie@seacroftpei.com