Onto Gimli, location of the Crown Royal Distillery

Waited for the mall and Walmart to open this morning. In the mall was a dog store that has a u-bath doggy shower. Only $10. Kyle was not too impressed, but it was well worth the money. We wanted to wait around for the local museum to open but couldn't wait another week so we headed east to Lake Manitoba and to Ginli as the Crown Royal Distillery is here, but they stopped doing tours, even though was reported on the net that tours were available.

on the shore of Lake Winnipeg, near the Distillery

Into Manitoba

Packed up and headed East. Roads pretty good and went from rolling farmland with lots of sloughs to  dryer fields and much flatter, straighter roads. Near the border turned hilly and forested, with lots of frost heaves and rougher roads. Expected and hope the roads would get better, but as soon as we crossed into Manitoba, the roads worsened and had to slow down as we were being bounced all over the road. Once we got to the corner of the road to The Pas, going south they were better.  Arrived in Dauphin at the local Walmart.

Batoche

Took a walk about and met a few locals who remembered our family. Then went into town to find the family farm house. Just rubble remains now.

Then we headed west to view more of the landscape, rode to Rostherm and got gas. On the way back, Julie suggested we check out "Batoche" as we had kept on seeing signs for it. Got there but it was closed. Walked around the site and got a real sense for it. Turns out this is the location of Louis Riels's last battle and where he was taken prisoner. He ended up getting tried in a Regina court and being executed for treason.

Water levels in the area were quite high with all the spring rains.

Laundry DAY

This campground is supposed to have laundry facilities, but when we went to find out where it was, the door was locked, further inquiry revealed that it was closed for renovations.  Further inquiry revealed that Wakaw's only laundromat was also closed for renovations. Further inquiry at the gatehouse suggested Cudworth, a little town 16kms south of Wakaw, had a laundromat.  Loaded up our laundry into the saddle bags and off we go in search or laundry services. Beautiful drive down the road over the rolling hills, across sloughs to Cudworth. At the address of the washing facility, renovations were underway making it into a residence.

Back up the road, north to Prince Albert. After an hours drive, over hills, across sloughs, over broken heaved payment around gravel spots in desperate need of repairs, we arrived in PA. Stopped at the Info centre and while being helped by one of the employees, a nice young gentleman says he knows of a laundromat nearby and to follow him. Got to our destination and it was a dry cleaner. Onto the cellphone and found out that his help diverted us from a nearby laundromat, so he left us and we backtracked. Laundry done while conversing wth a colourful local. Then 2 hours later, back down our bumpy humpy gravel speckled road to Wakaw.

Museum was supposed to be open according to the sign. It Wasn't, but there were names and phone #s so we call Darleen. She came down and gave us a personal tour. Very nice lady, we really appreciated the time spent with her. Learnt a little more of the town my family grew up in.

Got to the campsite gate and the "female dog" wouldn't let us through. She informed us that each vehicle needs to have a park pass. Apparently, our truck is one and motorcycle is another. Made us pay $9 to get the bike back into the park, then she informs us that  we should switch our 1 day pass (just purchased) with our $45 Annual pass that we purchased on the first day. Would not let us go get the truck pass though...

Went back into town to the chinese restaurant for dinner with Garrick and April. April and her family live 30 minutes north of here near the little town of Hoey, down a 5 mile gravel road, on acreage. Nice visit.

Back to the camp with park pass in hand to have the bitch lift the gate for us. Then I try to set up WIFI. You have to pay for WIFI at the camp also. Paid $6.95 +tax and the WIFI has a worse connection than any connection we had in Bolivia, 5 years ago. This province is nickel and dining us. Not impressed.

Michael Anthony Redl (Grandfather)

After signing in,  cost $202.50 for 4 nights, including a $45 Saskatchewan Regional Parks Pass, they made us move camp 3 spots this morning (and no one showed up to use the original camp spot we were in.

Washed the truck and trailer as I used them to kill a huge pile of bugs over the past 3 weeks. Still too many around, every evening, those blood suckers come out.

After lunch hopped onto the bike and went searching for Grampa's grave. I saw the grave 34 years ago,  but the memory was very faint.  Drove all 8 streets in Wakaw to get a feel for it. Quaint little town, but in dire need of some repaving. Checked 3 cemeteries and saw a lot of ethnic names on tombstones but no Redls.  Came back into town for groceries and water and on the way out back to the campsite on the north side of the lake, we saw tombstones on the hill, Up another gravel road. Bike is already dusty, we drove up to this 4th cemetery. Feelings started tingling. Something felt right. Memories of trees near by were confirmed. Walked around the gate and saw a tombstone of Frank Redl, apparently 2 Redl families unrelated settled in the same town back at the beginning of the 1900s, don't know if Frank is one of ours because we didn't bring our family tree book with us.

2 rows back and shaded from the nearby trees, M A Redl grave marker tombstone stood.  Julie went for a walk around the cemetery while I stood and had a little chat with Gramps.

Got back to camp had dinner. Garrick and his girlfriend April came down for a short visit. We arranged to have dinner together tomorrow night.

On the Road to Wakaw

Travel was good today. Came out of the Red Deer River Valley and up onto the plains. Roads were pretty good, Scenery was rolling hay fields and moved into flatter grain fields. All grain fields are killed off as farmers use a strong fertilizer to kill the weeds in preparation for seeding. Saw some fields being worked, but the area between Drumheller and Saskatoon they were very dry with many sloughs looking like their water levels near mid summer heights. (My feelings)

Arrived in Saskatoon to the nearest Walmart and was talking to some people in a trailer. Then saw signs on the light posts that this parking lot had a 4 hour limit or $65 fine, so we decided to carry on and get a camping spot early as the long weekend would probably be very busy. Arrived at Wakaw Lake Provincial Park after the gatehouse was closed but were able to set up camp for the night.

Atlas Coal Mine

Went to the Drumheller Hoo Doos. Fairly unimpressive.. but free..

Then down the road to the Atlas Coal Mine. It was the last operating coal mine in the Red Deer River Valley around Drumheller. Closed its doors in 1979. At one time in the 30-40s there were 139 mines. Last "tipple" standing in western Canada. Took the tours, learnt alot.

Then a ride around the Dinosaur Trail Loop and over the Bleriot cable ferry and back to a suspension bridge.

Drumheller

Went to the Royal Tyrell Museum (Dinosaurs). Pretty cool, all the old bones and how they figure out where, when and who they cam from.

After dinner, we met our camping neighbours, Peter and Clara from Comox, BC. They are also heading across Canada and taking 4 month to do it. Nice people who like wine..... 

They invited us for Lobster in Nova Scotia, because they brought a large pot. Mmmmm we are in!

Vegreville

Woke up in Vegreville and got a call from our friends in South Dakota. We had planned 1 diversion to the States to visit our friends Joel and Kathy, and Tim and Jane. When Joel called, he explained that they were heading for Tim and Jane's in Minnesota for their long weekend and suggested we all congregate there, so we changed our plans and headed south.

Had to stop and see the World's Largest Easter Egg in Vegreville.We heard about the World's Largest Sausage in Mundare, but chose not to divert.

Drove through beautiful rolling land speckled with ponds and the farms turned from wheat fields to hay fields. Arrived in Drumheller and checked out where the museum was for the next morning's activities.

Donna and Kelly

Packed up and got to see Dana and Bernie for Coffee before heading out east on the road for Wakaw. Just before we finished packing, got a call from Dana's sister Donna, in Edmonton so we made arrangement to meet for dinner.

Arrived on time after making a wrong turn, and recognized her as they drove into the parking lot. From a distance, she looks like my sister. Kelly (Donna's daughter) drove Donna. Our dinner and visit was wonderful especially because I was wondering if we would even be able to see her. Donna's health issues have been ongoing, but she informed us that just recently the doctors have been getting things under control and she has been feeling much better. Kelly is a beautiful vibrant young lady and a pleasure to talk to. It was nice to have this visit with them and looking forward to more as she gets stronger.

Then down the road to Vegreville. Arrived at another Walmart to bunk down.

Grande Prairie

Spent a lot or the day updating the blog. After which we had to take a long walk. We are camping at the Rotary Campground in Central Park, Grande Prairie. Beautiful campsite, great amenities and good WIFI. Walked 6 miles from the campsite down the park following Bear Creek, and back. Saw 2 deer. Laundry done, we got caught up on some shows. Very impressed with the park, city and amenities.

Dana and Bernie

First sleep in a Walmart Parking Lot. I am sure there will be many more.

Decided to travel to Grande Prairie through the Pine Pass as Julie has never gone that way and its about 2 hours faster. Gorgeous area. Arrived in Grande Prairie about 5:30pm local time.

Called Cousin Dana and wife, Bernie. They picked us up and took us out for dinner. Nice to get caught up with them, We don't see them often enough. Had a scrumptious dinner and then they came back to our camp for wine. Little cool so they were the first to be entertained in our little camper. Fit us all quite nicely.  

Garrick dropped over for a 5 minute visit before heading to Saskatchewan to see his girlfriend, April. We arranged to meet in Wakaw as they are very close. 

Barrie and Marge, Bob and Linda, Nicole and True and Keegan

After another great bacon and egg break, we said our goodbyes to Tom and Heidi and headed into Williams Lake to pick up supplies and go for a little drive. Stopped to get a coffee at McDonalds. An old friend that we hadn't seen in almost 20 years recognized me. We visited and arranged to meet the next day.

Arrived at the Redl Ranch about 4pm and Barrie was still on the tractor feeding the cows. We were so lucky that he took time out of his extremely busy time of year to visit with us. Marge arrived home about 8pm from work and Redl Beef tacos were on the menu for dinner. Our visit was short as Barrie had to deliver cows for slaughter and left before 6am. Marge was off to work early as well. We slept in as the rain pounded down our our camper and continued all morning. Rain is very welcome as there has been a draught in the north for a few years now.

Packed up in the rain and headed to see our friends (mentioned in yesterday's post). Was so happy to see our friends Bob and Linda. (Linda is cousin of Gord and Janine) Got caught on their past 20 years. Like many of us, they are working less and vacationing more. Was a wonderful, unexpected visit.

Then we carried on north to Prince George to meet up with Nicole, True and Keegan. (Garrick's Ex, and children) Arrived and arranged to meet after the kids' soccer and baseball practices. Nicole is such a great mother to her children. True and Keegan are very nice children. True is growing and smart, always on the go, Keegan couldn't sit still. Wonder where he gets that from? At his age, what boy can sit still? But even though he was moving around, was no bother to the rest of our visit.