Canada to Alaska
June 3: We cross the border into Canada from North Dakota and into Saskatchewan. We have never been there and thought this may be the time to do it. We will take the route northwest to Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and then Edmonton in Alberta.
The border crossing was simple with the exception that Ron is bringing firearms into and out of the country. But it all went well. Our first stop was at Oungre, just over the border where we stayed at a regional park. There was nothing around and this was the community center, with an indoor pool, hockey, bowling, café, movies, outdoor ball fields, and camping facilities. The next day we drove to Moose Jaw. Along the way we saw immense farms and prairie lands where you can see forever. This area grows wheat and has more working oil wells than we have seen anywhere in the States. In Moose Jaw, we went to a spa where the hot thermal pool that was indoors and out. We spent a few hours there relaxing our tired bones from driving almost 3000 miles since we left FL on May 3.
Then, we drove through more prairie lands. Everyone we talked to in this area say they love the prairie and when they leave to go on vacation to the mountains of BC, they cannot wait to get back to the visual aspect of the prairie lands. We stopped at Saskatoon, SK. This is a big city with lots going on. The young people all have black hair, white skin and weird outfits. We really need to get out more often.
As we continue our drive we see more prairie lands. We have seen enough flat prairies to last us a lifetime. Looking forward to some interesting scenery!
We go to the West Edmonton Mall, the largest mall in the world. There are amusement parks, a water park, over 100 eating establishments, and the list goes on. We went to Devonian Botanical Gardens. When we arrived, we could not go in because a Muslim leader was there checking out the place for a Muslim Garden. The good thing about it was because of our delay we received free entrance after he and his entourage left. Unfortunately the gardens were affected by the recent cold and freezing temperatures and many of the plants had frost damage.
We get to Dawson Creek BC on June 11 and met up with our friends Paul & Regina Kelley. We played games and did a lot of walking into town for all the pictures that one takes at Milepost 0 of the Alaskan highway. Everyone is anxious to get on the road and do the necessary preparations. There have been some closings of the AK highway due to fires and we hope that does not delay our trip.
