We had a really great stay at the Emerald Park Ramada. The beds and pillows were so comfortable and we all woke up refreshed, thank goodness. Everyone headed down to the cafeteria for breakfast. The dining area is really nice, bright and clean. While we had breaky, Chris and I got caught up on the latest news out of NS and all the clean up efforts going on. We have been in touch with our new landlords and everything there is a-ok. We both look forward to getting there soon to help however we can.
Back on the road we headed to another small town. This time it was for my Grandpa Harold (my Dads father) and his brother Clayton. They were born in a small town called Maryfield, Saskatchewan. Maryfield is about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Emerald Park. When you turn onto the drive you are greeted by signs as you enter, saluting their local champions and notable ‘Whitetail Country’. A very small town indeed with 311 residents, a quiet corner store, post office and The Arlington Hotel. A lovely memorial garden for the residents is situated in the middle of town to have a sit or walk through. I wasn’t sure what buildings, but my grandpa and his brother built a couple in town back in their younger days. Dad and I wondered if they still stood when we spoke on the phone, before we arrived. My memories of my Grandpa Harold are filled with family holidays in Vanderhoof, BC. When we spent summers there we would walk the property, get a peek inside his workshop and play in the fields, even feed the horses. Winters were incredible…SNOW!!! Real, deep, can’t hardly walk snow. Something an Islander kid very rarely experienced. We would toboggan, flop around, even had snow forts built for us. Very special memories indeed.
Now keep in mind, if this is a trip you may do…Saskatchewan very rarley has rest-stops so plan ahead! I was feeling pretty bad for the Truck Divers out there. We headed out from Maryfield and began to make our way to Winnipeg, Manitoba. My cousin, whom I grew up with next-door most of my life now lives there with his 2 kids and girlfriend. So onward we go for 3.5 hours onto hwy 1 and a time change! We were within the Manitoba border about 30 minutes when the landscape began to change. We still had fields of gold, but beyond those were trees, lots of trees. And flashes of purple emerging from the bushes. Slowly the flat fields became rolling fields, how they still look perfectly manicured by the combines and tractors…I’ll never know. We had our first flash of rain, not long 10 minutes maybe, since leaving Vancouver Island. I thought of my friend Laura back home as I passed through her hometown of Brandon on our way through.
FYI Manitoba has their highway signs figured out! For one the highway number or junction you’re on…has a picture of a buffalo on it…ummm fun.
And two, when there is an upcoming attraction or point of interest all you have to do is watch for the shooting stars!
Getting into Winnipeg is interesting. The drivers…many of them hesitate. Hesitate to accelerate at a green light, stop sign or just passing another car. Maybe its because the roads are like being on a ride; bumps and grooves and dips galore. And its not the friendliest city as far as navigation goes. I would know, we’ve just about travelled halfway across Canada at this point. Once we rode the rollercoaster for about 20 minutes we made it to my cousins!
It was dinnertime! And my cousin is a great cook, he actually enjoys it too. Homemade pizza’s and local beers from all over Winnipeg. After the kids headed to bed, the adults dipped into the beers and cider…and a taste from home. A surprise bottle of scotch from Shelter Point Distillery made in Campbell River, BC. Through stories, laughs and cheers, the 4 of us had a great evening getting all caught up.
Bedtime so we can explore Winnipeg tomorrow. Cheers Mel xo
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