- Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 -

Today's Trip:  127km
Total Trip:  1737km

Got up at 6Am this morning, and I was pleased the car started.  Not too sure what was wrong with it, but perhaps, like my own body, it was just too tired to go on.  The car worked fine today.  Let's cross our fingers!  Suzi, from England, was sharing a camp site with us.  She left about 10 minutes before me.  I departed the camp site at 6:55AM and it was getting warm already. 

 

About an hour later, Suzi and I caught up with Ben, from yesterday.  He had supper with us last night, and went ahead to ride when it was cooler.  We were shocked that he got so far.  By 9:30Am, Dan and Jenn had caught up to us.  The five of us looked like an organized, uniform team of cyclist pedalling for the animal cause as people drove by waving at us.  We had lunch around 11:30AM at Mortlach, SK at a tea house; it sounded good from the highway sign but delivered less than appetizing food and decor.  It reminded me of a thrift store with a collection of stuff that nobody wants to buy.  The quality and quantity of food did not satisfy me at all.  I know Suzi and I left hungry.  

Upon leaving Mortlach, Ben's bicycle broke down.  He had friends from Caronport, SK come to pick him up and take him into Moose Jaw to get his bike repaired.  

I should mention, before lunch we drove through Chaplin, SK which is known for its 'salt flats'.  Apparently it is the only sea water in the interior of Canada that comes up from the ground.  When it evaporates, it leaves salt which is then mined and shipped all over the world in products such as the well known cleaning agent, Tide.  Because it is salt water that comes up, apparently shrimp come up with it, which explains the hundreds of seagulls that circle the lands.  Or so they say.  

We arrived in Moose Jaw, SK at 3PM.  We took a few photos with the moose of Moose Jaw.  We checked into the hotel shortly thereafter, followed by some shopping and dinner at Bonanza.  Dan and Jenn went out with Suzi to buy a bike!  Jenn's sister, Christine, suggested to them that they try biking these long distances while they have the chance.  Dan and Jenn plan on joining me on two wheels instead of four for the remainder of the tour.

Dan, Jenn and I are off to Regina, SK tomorrow, whereas Suzi will be spending an extra day in Moose Jaw to rest.  Her intentions, though not definite, are to head south and connect with the #13 Highway.  We hope she keeps in touch with us and contacts us when she reaches our destination Winnipeg, MB.  Ride safe, Suzi!

Enjoy the photos.  Good night.

-D'Arcy

PS.  It came to my attention yesterday that my mother had fallen and broken her hip.  She is recovering in ICU today after her hip surgery.  She lives south of Brandon, MB.