You know you're in the Prairies when - your nose is filled with the scent of fertilizer, all you can see on the horizon is green and blue farm equipment and the trees are located in clumps as wind breaks around the buildings!
We are heading to Maple Creek today and maybe into Alberta depending on the amount of time Dan wants to drive. We heard on the radio yesterday that Maple Creek has been voted the most authentic western country town across Canada.
I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by - in just a few short weeks I will have to return to work and life will carry on as usual. Hmm, I have so enjoyed this trip, but we did not realize How much more time we needed for each province. There are so many provinces and places we want to go back to - well at least we discovered that Canada is a truly amazing country filled with wonderfully proud people.
This is interesting - we are on Hwy 1, between Mortlach and Parkbeg, and it is a divided highway. We are driving along and notice that beside us are grain and hay fields. Then across the other side of the fields is the east bound Hwy 1. Interesting - maybe when the highway was constructed the farmers did not want to give up their fields - it's the largest median I have ever seen!
Near Chaplin we just about ran over a group if ducklings on the freeway. Along the road are salt sloughs and a salt mine. A lot of ducks swimming around there - Dan says if you shoot one of those you don't need any seasoning - they come pre-salted! Ha!
The closer we get to Maple Creek the more the landscape is changing. The flat prairie has given way to rolling hills of green and gas or oil wells pumping away. Many purple hazed alfalfa fields ready to cut for the second time as the round bales are still scattered around. The day has turned out to be warm and sunny with scattered white clouds. The wind has died down and the driving is easy.
We called up friends from Merritt that are now living in Maple Creek and they are going to be around - so we shall get together for a visit this evening. Looking forward to that! But first we need to find a laundromat and get the laundry done - uggh! This is possibly the one chore, when travelling, that is the hardest to keep a handle on.
Downtown Maple a Creek is real pretty with trees lining the streets and a picnic site that is right in the heart of the town. We went there to have our lunch.
We are at the Willowbend Campground and thought it very pretty as well.
Maple Creek is a bigger place than we thought and it is about 3000' above sea level. Wow, it sure doesn't feel like it. Don and Mary are getting settled in their new home and are doing major renovations - it will be very nice when complete. We had an awesome visit - Jenny even popped over for a bit! Great end to a good day, thanks to the Stewarts for their hospitality.
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