Ya, to family walk!

*** We ran into some wifi free areas and had some difficulty getting the pictures to upload.  Here is the updated version ***


June 11, 2016

Today we hiked the Lower Rapids trail at Rushing River Provincial Campground. It was beautiful!  The rocks from the Canadian shield and the endless number of lakes and rivers make this place pretty spectacular. Every now and then we stopped just to take in the scenery and be amazed.  It was the same feeling yesterday when we had our own private beach at Dogtooth Lake (Parker calls it Dog Toot Lake).  It's a lake at the top of the river that is surrounded by rocks and islands that even the kids could swim out to.  It was so peaceful and serene.  I can't do it justice with the pictures.

Greg decides to swim across the lake with the kids...

This is what Parker and I do while they are swimming...

This is the lake, the falls are just on the other side of the orange things... it so cool!

I must have something in my ear...

Attempt number one for a family photo...where are Gracie and Sawyer??

Attempt number two.  I cut off Parker's head and my eyes are closed!  Seriously!

 I was reminded of how special this time is with our kids and I'm trying to soak it up.  Like Parker said to me yesterday, " you don't say no to family walk, you say ya to family walk".  So instead of doing the dishes or cleaning up the trailer- I say yes to family walk. 

Incidentally, Greg is also saying yes to family walk ... And today he brought home his first uninvited guest. That's right mom- Greg found a tick on his leg.   Now, I happen to be a tick expert (okay, I read an article online) and this was not the Lyme disease carrying kind.   We saved it just in case- and for this picture.   Gross huh!!!  Sorry, the tic picture is not meant to be...and I know you all wanted to see one.  Google it.  We are still having some technical difficulties.

Don't worry Greg hasn't shown any signs...yet...

Winnipeg, who knew it was so awesome?

June 7, 2016


After a brief stop in Paris (of the prairies, aka Montmartre, Saskatchewan) we made it across the border to Manitoba.  We were welcomed by Manitoba's 'friendly' skies and big beautiful...ahem, roads.  The 'Welcome to Manitoba' sign on highway 48 was nothing to write home about and we didn't notice it until it was too late to stop to take a picture, so maybe we'll catch it on the way back.


We arrived at our pre-booked Winnipeg RV park and campground in the late afternoon and the kids thoroughly enjoyed the playground while Lori made dinner.  Unfortunately during that same time period our one and only set of keys to the motorhome went missing.  Why would you rent a huge motorhome and only have one set of keys?  That's a good question.  I don't know.  Lori calmly retraced our steps while I embraced my full blown panic attack and walked a grid pattern over the playground staring at the ground all the while contemplating what it would be like to have a permanent vacation place just outside of downtown Winnipeg.  The keys turned up just before dark.  They were inside of a bike helmet in a storage compartment located outside the motorhome.  Weirdest thing. (Lori - He's blaming me because he should. Oops.  He no longer lets me use the keys.) 

Winnipeg has some terrific public spaces and attractions in the Forks area.  Today we parked the motorhome downtown, which was an adventure in its own right, and checked out an outdoor playground, the Children's Museum and the Canadian Museum of Human Rights.  

Missing from this photo: Greg, who is taking the photo and Sawyer who is standing to Greg's right, yelling at him.

Parker picked up a temp job doing construction to help pay for some of the costs. He loved the digger Ryan!!

For me the highlight of the day had to be the human rights museum.  The galleries are deeply moving and the building itself is incredible.  We're grateful for the opportunity to bring our kids here to learn about the things in life we take for granted.  Grace and Sawyer recorded a video message about education rights for girls and I was impressed that they grasped a bit of what human rights are all about.  Parker is too young to understand but he enjoyed guiding his brother around in a rented stroller just the same.

Tomorrow we cross over into Ontario enroute to Kenora.  Did you know that Kenora was named 'Rat Portage' until 1905?  No, you probably did not know that.  Here are some other pics from the playground at The Forks.

Dear Saskatchewan...

Dear Saskatchewan,

  Together we have shared many great  memories from my childhood.  Some of our favourite people in this world come from your wheat-y shores and they were so good to us on this trip.

But, we have to talk!

  It was a bit of a bumpy ride for us this visit, and I'm not speaking figuratively. Numerous times, Greg was white knuckled on your "highways". I'll use that term loosely.  Now perhaps I'm being sensitive to road quality; I come by it honestly (DAD); yet, I don't think gravel roads are meant to be used as major thoroughfares.  Dunno if you've heard the news my Saskapal but apparently pavement is the way most of your province buddies are going.  You might want to follow suit, so they don't leave you in all your gravel-y dust (cough,cough,choke,choke). Also, FYI: most roads have shoulders.  It just makes them safer and drivers aren't forced to choose between oncoming truck or tipping off the road.  That's some scary s**** Sask.  Scary!!!

THIS IS CONSIDERED A MAJOR HIGHWAY!!!

The way the motorhome feels when it hits a bump!

       Also early June is not 'pre-season' for camping ok? It's hot out, people want to camp and if you open, they will come...provided that you take reasonably good care of your campgrounds.  I don't mean you have to have pristine showers or brand new playgrounds, although that would partly make up for the road situation (see roads) but you may have to do something more than 'natural management' of an acknowledged tent caterpillar infestation.  'Infestation' probably isn't the right word.  It lacks gravitas.  We arrived at a campground this afternoon and without exaggerating we have spent almost the entire time in the motorhome because we are afraid to go outside for fear of being overrun by caterpillars. There are thousands of them.  There is a brick building less than a block away from us and I can barely tell it is made of brick and not caterpillars.  They are swarming all over the campsite and the picnic table. They are falling from the treetops onto our roof. (I think they are actually jumping on purpose) They are crawling up the side of the motor home.  We have duck taped around the electrical cord so they can't get in.  My son is having nightmares about caterpillars.  My daughter has collected a disgusting bucket of them, and she wants to bring it with us.  Not cool Saskatchewan.

Love,

Lori, Greg and the kids

global news article

What's a matter mom?  This place is great!

Once parked, it will stay parked...for as long as we can make it.

Drumheller - June 2/3, 2016

When you drive a Motorhome, that you don't like to park anywhere near other vehicles, you decide that you should bike everywhere.  So we did.  Today, we (Greg, Sawyer, Gracie and I - Parker was in the chariot) biked up to the Royal Tyrell Museum.  It took us an hour and a half to get there!

This is what we looked like at the beginning of the ride:

 
This is the end:

With some of this in between:

The ride home was much shorter and the kids were inspired by the promise of ice cream.  Tomorrow we head to Grams and attempt the risky move of taking a picture on the side of the highway beside the "Welcome to Saskatchewan" sign. Don't worry mom,  those Saskatchewan highways aren't very busy.

Neat-o travel fact: Drumheller has a splash park and fountain right in front of the world's largest dinosaur.  We couldn't get a picture of that dinosaur, so we settled for what Gracie decided "Must be, the world's second largest dinosaur!"

"MOM!!!!"

"Hello and welcome aboard Waters-Sim airlines.  We know there are numerous carriers out there and we appreciate that you chose to follow us on our journey.  To my left is your captain, the handsome and dedicated Greg.  There is no co-pilot.   Apparently, that's because the passenger seat will not be occupied for longer than 3 concurrent seconds on this journey. 

Today, we will be taking the long way to Drumheller. We will not be making any sharp turns in this bus or going over the speed limit. Particularly when going up or down hills. We don't care how angry the people behind us look or what finger they are waving at us - we will be closing that curtain shortly (then we can't see them).

On our trip we will be making a quick stop in Stettler to play at the train park.  I'd like to take a minute and acknowledge the young man sitting with his back to us.  Thank you sir, for spotting that park and saving this flight attendant's sanity. 

Should you desire anything on your trip, don't hesitate to hit the call button.  It will yell "MOM" and I will promptly make my way to your seat to return to you any toy that you've dropped or your brother or sister has stolen.  If at first I don't respond, please don't give up. Continue to hit the call button over and over and over and over...

On this particular voyage we will be providing snacks around the clock. What's that?  You say that you can see the fridge, so you are hungry! Well sit back, let me offer you numerous items out of the cupboard to which your job will to be reply "is that all you have, I don't like that!" On this trip, I aim to please.  Until the food runs out - then please don't bother the flight attendant while she drinks her wine.

Finally, upon our descent into Drumheller we ask that you remain seated and do up your buckle for safety reasons. YES, the WHOLE buckle!  Upon arriving at our destination, you will be treated to a fantastic camping experience at a deluxe spot in the Poplar Grove Campground.  Tomorrow, you will embark on your bike and make your way to the Royal Tyrell Museum.  Now go to sleep. Seriously, SLEEP!!! And thanks again for choosing Waters-Sim airlines."