Day 10 - Saskatchewan and I Found Heaven

When we wake we feel rested but a little grumpy, sure I am going to say the bad as well as the good.  We both are feeling it.  We need breakfast and coffee.  And maybe not in that order!

The hotel worked out well.  I should note that when we came back from dinner last night the room was still unusually warm.  So we called to the front desk and they moved us to another room that you immediately could tell the air conditioner was working.  And it has been very warm here recently.

We left the hotel around 8;30 am and got an espresso.  No communicating till it kicks in!  

But about a half hour down the road we are listening to Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Podcast - Murdered and Missing Season One.  It is like listening to a murder serial of older days.

Today we are heading to Maple Creek, Saskatchewan and to visit the National Historic Site of Fort Walsh.

It is not very far.

Saw this hotel sign in Medicine Hat, Alberta, thought it was funny.  The rancher is holding a rattle snake.

We see a ton of Prairie Dogs - they are on the side of the highway, perched on their hind legs but we are travelling too fast to get a picture.  Will get a picture tomorrow.

Crossing into Saskatchewan!  Now we have travelled two full provinces.

Saskatchewan spelled backwards!

Sure is big beautiful sky country!

We arrive at Fort Walsh around 11:30.  

Fort Walsh is the first Royal Canadian Mountain Police settlement in Saskatchewan.  They came to take control of the area.  It started with the Cree Cypress Hills Massacre and the need for some rule of order.  Then the bootlegging with the American needed some control too.  Although the fort was not in use for very long because when the rail road came in it was further North in Maple Creek and the Mounties moved up there.

Here are some pictures of the site.

After spending around an hour here we are back at the car and we take our food and have a picnic.  Some Naan bread, cheese, fruit, and a salad. Just perfect.

We leave and we right away spot a pronghorn antelope all on it's own.  We slow right down as we don't want to hit it.  He runs across the street and then watches us from the side until he trots off.  

Then we see a baby horse or weanling.  Parents are protective so we keep our distance but get some nice shots.

I found this place to stay before we left.  I ended up booking two nights here a few days ago with it all being a surprise for Bernie. 

The place is called Ghostown Blues B&B.  This is just a special place.  We arrive and we have a note saying to make ourselves comfortable they will be back soon.  Wow so nice... we go to our cabin that we booked.  We walk around, we meet the dogs and then we rest on the porch for a bit until Caralee arrives.

She shows us around explaining each building and the history of the place.  

the first video is too long so may not show up, I will need to edit and repost later.

Tonight we are heading into Maple Creek for Dinner.  We have the entire B&B to ourselves tonight.  I think we will sleep like babies.


So here is our scavenger hunt list today:

• Moose
• Deer
• Hitchhiker
• Eagle/Hawk
• Licence plates from every Province in Canada - but you can not count the province you are in.  So if we see an Alberta plate in BC then it counts, but not if we are in Alberta.  British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Yukon, and North West Territory
• Skunk
• Sheep
• Beaver
• Goslings
• Buffalo
• Goat
• Owl
• Bear
• Loon
• Crane
• Prairie Dog
• Fisherman fishing
• Canoe
• Hummingbird
• Antique car on the road
• Old VW Bug
• Car broken down on the side of the road
• Helicopter on the ground
• Airplane on the ground
• Speeding ticket- hopefully not our own
• Ambulance with sirens on
• Dump truck
• Line painting crew at work
• Mail delivery person walking their route
• Cruise Ship (from Janice and Jim)

If you have any items you think we should add to our scavenger hunt list, let us know.

So Today's Stats 
Driving distance today 306 km  
Total distance 1886 km