Saskatchewan and Manitoba

August 15, 2010
On to Saskatchewan, stopped at Kindersley, The Kindersley Plains Museum was closed when we arrived, but since there were no signs stating that parking was not allowed, we pulled in next to a picnic table and had supper. No one came along to kick us out, and the requisite train was across the highway, so we stayed for the night. Next morning we went through the museum, an excellent display of early farming and equipment. The school house reminded me of the one room school I attended. When we checked about camping overnight, the staff at the museum seemed to think there was no problem.
On to Saskatoon then, and we had read about “free camping” at the John Arcand Fiddle Fest which started Aug 12th, the day we arrived, so we drove out to the farm it was being held at. Turned out the camping was free, but admission was $20 per person, per day or $50 per person for the 4 days. We didn’t know what to expect so opted for the $20 option. The music was fantastic, and some real quality fiddle and guitar players. (including the chap that wrote the fiddle music for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics) The second day was the Metis 100th anniversary and featured Metis musicians, also very good music.
While in Saskatoon we visited the Western Development Museum. Best display of old Agricultural Equipment we have seen so far, also gave a good display of the migration to Western Canada from 1800’s to present time. Wonderful old cars and railroad section too.
The rain came too though, and since we were parked in the middle of a farmers field with about 150 other RV’s we worried about getting out of there, especially when one fellow had to be pulled out by tractor. We did make it however (not that I was a lot of help, got the Tracker stuck).
We started driving on, and it rained harder and the wind blew, and the first thing we knew we were in Manitoba (Strong winds out here)
We stayed overnight at Brandon Manitoba, another Walmart lot. We do not recommend the local Montana’s Cookhouse there.
Next morning on to Winnipeg and the first paid parking so far. We are camped at a nice spot, at Ile de Chein (check the SKP book) about 15 minutes from town. Good spot to clean up and do laundry. The first day we visited the Mennonite Village at Steinbeck, it was raining so hard that we had the place to ourselves. (Come Hell or High Water, we are going to find out about Canadian History on this trip)
My daughter Kim flew into town for a Health Canada Certification meeting she was speaking at, so we did get a chance to introduce one of my kids to Jerry.
We spent the first day exploring the Forks Market, and Kildonan Park, then met Kim at her hotel in Ft Garry.
The following day we stopped at the New Flyer Bus Industries and Jerry was able to touch base with people he had dealt with while he was at Capital Transit in Juneau.
Later we met up with my cousin Phillip McLennan (whom I had never met before) and had lunch with Kim before her presentation. We then went to visit my Aunt Barb, whom I had last seen in 1974. Caught up on a lot of family history (including a few skeletons in the closet). Very nice visit.
Now we are back at the rig and doing the last of the laundry before we take off for Ontario tomorrow.