Prairie Scenes

You don't really understand the vastness of Canada without actually starting to drive it.   And the big sky of the prairies, the openness, the space.  Far from a "boring" drive, we enjoyed the expanse around us and the extra few seconds you are given to take your eyes off the road (because it's pleasantly straight) and glance around to your right and to your left.  I found it much more enjoyable as a driver to be able to use cruise control and take in the sights.  Dave took most of the photos though and for some reason, they often include farm machinery . . . I suppose that's scenic enough.  

What the boys were doing as we were driving . . . 

  

 We got to count the train cars for this one - 130 and it included 3 engines (front, rear and in the middle).  Sooooo many trains across sunny Saskatchewan.

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 Lovely picnic spot on the side of an unpaved road by a hay field . . . it's quite hard to plan your stops when many of the towns say "no facilities or services".  Luckily we have a cooler and had stopped at the grocery store in the morning for a roasted chicken, spinach salad, cheese & pepperoni sticks - it worked!  We keep picking up the 50% off stickered stuff from Zehrs since we're going to eat it that day anyhow. 

 

What the boys were doing while we were driving (Nintendo DS - special trip presents - thanks Rachel!)

 So we ditched the Transcanada for the later part of the day.  It was a bit controversial as I'm kind of an idealistic traveller.  I see a road on a map and think that I can go there.  Dave looks at the map and asks if I really want to travel more than 50 kilometers on a gravel / dirt road??  In our minivan loaded down with gear??  Undaunted, I said "yes" to adding 2 hours to our journey.   

 Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park  - thanks for the recommendation family, it truly is beautiful, but Dave kept asking for a dune buggy / 4 wheel drive / anything but a mini-van!  We drove through the whole park, which meant that Dave drove on the unsealed road for a good part of the 2 hours drive where cattle roam freely . . . yes mom, there are no fences, so they wander right across the road!    If you're thinking of coming this way, may I just suggest the sealed section nearest Elkwater (Alberta side)?  The rest was pretty, but that was the best area. 

 This is the highest elevation in Canada in between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador, something like 1400 meters above sea level . . . I kept having to pop my ears.  We got out the boys binoculars right here and with Xavier's camera, that kept them busy for awhile!  It was an amazing view.  And worth the trip.     

 

 Saamis teepee welcomed us to Medicine Hat after our "scenic route" kind of day . . .  and that's why you didn't get a blog post yesterday.  Wasted = Sleep. 

Next stop . . . DINOSAUR HUNTING!