Still Ontario

Still toodling along nicely.  Good road, however the speed limit is only 90km.  Feels like a snails pace on such a good road with nobody around. Especially, just coming off the prairies. The signs with the fines for speeding over by certain amounts keeps us in check, though.  Neither of us wants to be the first with a speeding ticket.  I like the watching for moose signs and am anticipating seeing some critters along the way and we're keeping our eagle eyes open.

Ontario

If anyone has looked at a map of Ontario, there appears to be more water than land. This is our first look at Lake of the Woods at Kenora, just into Ontario. A whole new province and we are both excited to see something new. All unchartered territory for the two of us. Land of the people with summer cottages. Beautiful scenery, pristine blue lakes shining in the sun. Cloudless skies and the open road.

CONTEST

To boost readership we are sponsering a get rich scheme for you. Called 'How many bags does Rita have?' Winner gets maple syrup from Quebec.  Not all are displayed because there are too many to carry from the car.

Ontario More to Discover

Arty shot for the day

New Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg.

Can-D-Man

Original home of Nutty Club. Came across this by accident trying to get out of Winnipeg.

Niagara Falls or bust

We have 3 nights to get to Niagara Falls to keep our reservations.  Lots of time.  You'd think.

Windiest intersection in Canada they say

Manitoba spirted energy

Cowman

Canola in bloom in Saskatchewan

Day 3

Today we left Langham, well fed. Where will end up....stay tuned.

Saskatchewan, Naturally

Third morning of our trip, at Mary and Vern's. That is Mustti (Finnish for Blacky) chasing a frisbee. Poor guy, I am hopeless at throwing a frisbee. These are some shots of around their home.

More things I learnt from Vern

Click on the link below.  I know Vern is in there somewhere.

Guiness World Record Harvest: 249 Combines

Vern's Prairie Schooler

Did you know?! That canola and rapeseed are the same thing?

and that canola stands for Canada oil?

and it grows in a pod?

Canola seeds

Where in the world is Carmen Santiago

For those who don't understand that I can't blog and drive at the same time, you know who you are! In the old days you wouldn't know where I was till I got home.  

Snausages

Yoohoo !  We have made it to Langham, just outside of Saskatoon.  We are spending the night with Mary and Vern, Rita's sister and brother-in-law. A real live farmer, who can answer all my questions. They made us a great dinner and drinks, lots of laughs, had a comfy bed and shower. Thanks you two!  

Mennonite Farmer Sausage

Saskatchewan style

How many pictures can you have of the prairies?  Not enough.  I think they are beautiful.

i.

Yellowhead Highway

Have seen these across 2 provinces and what is with the yellow head?

As it turns out, the highway is named for the Yellowhead Pass, the route chose to cross the Canadian rockies.  The pass, and the highway are named after a fur trader and explorer named Pierre Bostonais.  He had yellow streaks in his hair, and was nicknamed "Tete Jaune" (Yellowhead)

aaaah

Two down

Just seen a sign about watching for rattlesnakes on the road, but it's all about getting the shot, right?

Alberta

Still expect to see Johnny Depp as Tonto. Typical prairie shots.  Beautiful weather, not too hot but lots of bugs.

Things that make go you go grrrrr

Just a quick update. I am having Internet troubles as we go along. Much to my surprise some of the hotels/motels have unreliable wifi if any at all. Tomorrow I will find a Starbucks or Tim Hortons or even a Macdonalds that are bound to have something. Even in a remote area of Bali I had wifi, granted not the fastest but had service.  I am using the iPhone for this and here is a teaser.

Hi Ho Silver

Leaving the Rockies quickly behind and the landscape is slowly flattening out. Motoring nicely along, but still don't feel like we are on a road trip.  I like the prairies and unlike what most people have to say about the sameness I think there is lots to look at.  And Alberta has the best names. Writing on Stone Provincial Park,  Bow Island (home of Spitz Sunflower Seeds, did you know?)  Badlands, Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, Vulcan, Stony Plain, Pincher Creek. All evocative of the Wild Wild West, and having just seen the new Lone Ranger movie, have lots of images and fantasies going on in my noggin. We stopped in Taber for breakfast and sure enough, country music in Smitties.

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Wild Rose Country

One down, how many to go?

Rita and Louise

On the road again

Fernie is a pretty town, lots of outdoor activities. No time to dawdle, just a quick stop at Timmies for coffee which we will NOT do again.  Bad bad coffee. Off to Saskatoon.  Beautiful weather, still hot.

Still in BC

Day 1 is done.  Got to Fernie at dusk, lucky to get a room as there was some sort of race going on.  Red Tree Hotel.  Great beds, awesome down pillows.  Rita wouldn't let me take it, said it wouldn't be proper. She thought about it though. Great room, clean and comfy.

Bye Bye

We are off. Rita and Carmen's Excellent adventure. With a stop at Rock Creek, just outside of Osoyoos to stop and say hi and bye to friends Carol and Don.  Hot Hot Hot. Around 36 degrees. Thank heaven for air conditioning.

Last seen wearing...

Moo lah lah

While I was bonding with wildlife, Rita was making money for the trip!

Mooses

I am on my way to Summerland, where I will meet Rita and we will visit with my sister and spend the night. She went up the day before to spend time with her sister and friends. 

I am a little out of sorts.  I didn't have the smoothest exit out of town, Lulu is on my mind and I am imposing on a few people to take care of him. Thank you all again!! Owe you big time.

Then on the Okanagan Connector saw this beauty. We were both interested in each other and had a nice little moment. Was quite thrilled, actually. I have been driving to and from the Okanagan for years and have never seen wildlife on the Coq or the Connector.  How more Canadian can you get? I think it's a sign. Still thinking about the cat but feel uplifted.

By the way, this was on Wednesday. Having a few internet issues and blogging with the IPAD but getting it sorted out.

Still Wednesday

Another stop in Agassiz. Sparkes drive through for Jubilee corn, highly recommend this also. Even got a frequent buyer card this year. Obviously, taking me awhile to get out of town.

Here we go

I'm on my way !!!  First stop, Agassiz. Canadian Hazelnut Inc for chocolate hazelnut ice-cream. Can't resist, locally made, loaded with nuts and only available in the summer.