Canada or Bust!

After spending some time in The Badlands, we decided to head towards Minot, North Dakota. 

“Why Minot?” you might ask. We chose this as our next destination because we wanted to visit the Air Force Base (AFB) there. We also restocked some supplies and explored the Space-A Travel options available in the area. There was also a personal connection. Our grandson’s upcoming enrollment at North Dakota University in Grand Rapids presented a perfect opportunity to explore the area and envision his future home. 

Minot, centrally located and on our way to the Canadian border, was the perfect gateway for our adventure. We planned to travel from Minot AFB to Manitoba, then through Saskatchewan and Alberta, before finally reaching the breathtaking landscapes of British Columbia. 

If we thought South Dakota was filled with vast open spaces, North Dakota and Manitoba could boast even more wide-open spaces. Our journey was accompanied by the beauty of blue skies, enormous white puffy clouds, and a howling wind that seemed to carry the spirit of the land. The landscape was a testament to nature’s diversity, and the warm hospitality of the people added incredible charm. We were inspired by the history that surrounded us.

We were listening to the audiobook Undaunted Courage, a gripping account of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It was a perfect companion for our journey, providing insights into the challenges and triumphs of these early explorers. We decided to stop at Fort Mandan, where they had once wintered during their two-and-a-half-year expedition. The fort, a replica of the original, was a fascinating glimpse into the past. We walked in the footsteps of these brave explorers, imagining the harsh winter they endured and the trials they underwent. It was a perfect visit for us, a chance to connect with history and appreciate the courage and resilience of those who came before us.

We traveled northward with incredible ease, and crossing the border was simple and without incident, probably because we were the only people in line. The border officer, a friendly and efficient woman, greeted us and asked a few questions about our trip. We answered, and after a quick inspection, she waved us through with a ‘Welcome to Canada.’ As we drove into Canada, I was excited to see an area of the country I had not visited before.

The little towns were charming in a way that is hard to describe. I think of the phrase ‘down to earth,’ literally and metaphorically. We stopped in the town of Morse in Saskatchewan, a quaint town with a population of 248 and the next town 100 miles away. We met a lovely young woman named Victoria, who ran the convenience store. She shared her story of ending up in Morse, wanting her family to live in the country and have their own home. She was proud of her town and its people, and her love for the place was infectious. When Tom mentioned he would like something warm to eat, she suggested we get a can of self-heating soup. We were intrigued, and Tom is always up to trying something new. So we bought it, and he followed her instructions and enjoyed a can of HOT tomato soup. We wish we had bought more!

We will meander a few days and then stay in Banff for an extended visit. We are starting to unwind and fully embrace the unencumbered life.

 You are loved.