Heading west on the Transcanada Highway, we noticed the change in the terrain. We are now in the prairies of Canada! How beautiful this was also. You could see for miles and miles across the vast plains.
Saskatchewan covers 651,900 square kilometres - more than a quarter million square miles. Half the province is covered by forest, one-third is farmland and one-eighth is fresh water. On the way to visit another set of friends from the desert, we stopped a few minutes at Moose Jaw and got out to stretch our legs a bit. Mac the Moose, the official mascot for Moose Jaw, greeted us. Mac had fallen on some hard times. A large section of his jaw fell off in April, 2007. Fund raising efforts began at once and in 2008, Mac was restored to his former grandeur. At 32 feet tall, he is the World's Largest Moose. 
However, McKenzie was more intrigued with the gophers that were running all over the place than she was with the giant moose statue.
Saskatchewan covers 651,900 square kilometres - more than a quarter million square miles. Half the province is covered by forest, one-third is farmland and one-eighth is fresh water. On the way to visit another set of friends from the desert, we stopped a few minutes at Moose Jaw and got out to stretch our legs a bit. Mac the Moose, the official mascot for Moose Jaw, greeted us. Mac had fallen on some hard times. A large section of his jaw fell off in April, 2007. Fund raising efforts began at once and in 2008, Mac was restored to his former grandeur. At 32 feet tall, he is the World's Largest Moose. However, McKenzie was more intrigued with the gophers that were running all over the place than she was with the giant moose statue.About an hour later, we pulled into Bob and Eva Ziehl's farm. What a lovely and peaceful place. We parked the truck and trailer under a widespread tree and opened all the windows for a gentle breeze to blow thru. 
There were numerous types of birds flitting in all the bushes and trees as well as plenty gophers running around to keep McKenzie amused. After a scrumptous dinner and lots of good conversation, we walked back to our trailer to rest up before heading out the next morning to Moose Jaw to visit "The Tunnels" and the transportation museum.
There were numerous types of birds flitting in all the bushes and trees as well as plenty gophers running around to keep McKenzie amused. After a scrumptous dinner and lots of good conversation, we walked back to our trailer to rest up before heading out the next morning to Moose Jaw to visit "The Tunnels" and the transportation museum.The Tunnels highlights two different lifestyles under the streets of Moose Jaw. The Chicago Connection depicts how a small Saskatchewan Town earned the nickname "Little Chicago" and the Passage to Fortune lets you experience the drama as the Chinese seek a new life. The Railway came in 1882 and quickly transformed Moose Jaw from a lonely trading post into a bustling prairie town. By 1903, Moose Jaw had all the basic essentials of a growing community and was incorporated as a city. However prosperity also brought troubles. Al Capone decided Moose Jaw was the perfect place for him to lay low when the heat was on in Chicago. We took a trip thru the tunnels to see how he lived, his bedroom, a speakeasy ran by Fannie, 
and secret tunnels running throughout the city. The other tour of the tunnels depicted the plight of the Chinese when they came to America looking for a better life. We followed the daily life of one of the immigrants as he worked in a laundry underground for just pennies a day.
and secret tunnels running throughout the city. The other tour of the tunnels depicted the plight of the Chinese when they came to America looking for a better life. We followed the daily life of one of the immigrants as he worked in a laundry underground for just pennies a day.While at the transportation museum, we found Bob and Eva a new car! Won't they be a hit next winter when they arrive out in the desert? 
We also finally located ourselves new transportation vehicles. We should be able to park about anywhere with this and the gas should certainly be cheaper!!!
Obviously all this shopping around for new vehicles and lifestyles wore George and Bob out and Eva and I located them sitting in the caboose car at the railway.
I think they might have been contemplating running out on us!!!
We also finally located ourselves new transportation vehicles. We should be able to park about anywhere with this and the gas should certainly be cheaper!!! Obviously all this shopping around for new vehicles and lifestyles wore George and Bob out and Eva and I located them sitting in the caboose car at the railway. I think they might have been contemplating running out on us!!!Driving back home, we stopped so I could get a picture of the Corner Gas. We couldn't get up too close because there was a camera crew there shooting an episode of the weekly comedy which is shown in Canada and takes place at this gas station and restaurant. 
We never did get to see an episode but we were told it is really hilarious.
We never did get to see an episode but we were told it is really hilarious.Upon our arrival back at the farm, Bob cajoled Ginger back into the garage with her favorite snack, a red licorice stick. 
Ginger is territorial and she didn't appreciate having McKenzie walking around in her area. So whenever we were going to bring McKenzie out for a walk, Ginger had to be locked up, but she was very gracious about it and at least, she got some extra licorice sticks!
Ginger is territorial and she didn't appreciate having McKenzie walking around in her area. So whenever we were going to bring McKenzie out for a walk, Ginger had to be locked up, but she was very gracious about it and at least, she got some extra licorice sticks!Upon rising to such a beautiful day, we decided to drive over and take a tour thru the Shand Power station. It was a fascinating tour, took about two hours, and was free. Our driver worked at the mine and she definitely fit right into the role of a tour guide. She wasn't afraid to take us anywhere
and as some of the equipment was being repaired, we got a very close up and personal view of it. Boy, was it huge! The abundance of coal in the Estevan area was a major factor in determining the location for the power station. The first step in coal mining is the removal of any water in the mining area. The topsoil is then removed and stored for future reclamation. Next draglines equipped with 69 cubic metre buckets remove the overburden to expose the coal seams.
A front end loader loads the coal
into large haulers for transport to a primary crusher at Shand.
and as some of the equipment was being repaired, we got a very close up and personal view of it. Boy, was it huge! The abundance of coal in the Estevan area was a major factor in determining the location for the power station. The first step in coal mining is the removal of any water in the mining area. The topsoil is then removed and stored for future reclamation. Next draglines equipped with 69 cubic metre buckets remove the overburden to expose the coal seams. A front end loader loads the coal into large haulers for transport to a primary crusher at Shand.Electricity produced at Shand is fed into the province-wide grid via high-voltage transmission lines. 
The annual production of the station is approximately 2.1 billion kWh. To put this figure into perspective, the average residential customer in Saskatchewan uses about 8,000 kWh per year. Thermal power contributes about 70 per cent of the electricity produced by the power company each year.
The annual production of the station is approximately 2.1 billion kWh. To put this figure into perspective, the average residential customer in Saskatchewan uses about 8,000 kWh per year. Thermal power contributes about 70 per cent of the electricity produced by the power company each year.Our final day found us over in Regina at the Farm Show! I did not realize how elaborate some of the farm equipment had gotten over the years. The technology just blows your mind and of course, the price did too. Western Canada has become one of the world's strongest economies. No doubt this is because of the increasing global demand for energy. Global demand for the type of crops grown in Western Canada is at an all time high and agriculture has become a much more profitable venture than any other time in history. Now I have to add a bit of editorial here - this is the only place I have ever seen an outdoor bathroom that rivaled a hotel room. Each of the mobile restrooms boast standard features such as climate controlled interiors, shatter proof mirrors, porcelain commodes with "hands free" flush pedal system, ample counter space for personal grooming and make-up- application, self closing faucet, paper and hand sanitizers dispensers.
It's all about comfort! Okay, back to the Farm show. We walked around most of the day looking at all the displays from antique cars, trucks and equipment to combines with computers installed, to waterless cookware. George found him a new International truck!
They had it all. What a day! We all went home, dragging our behinds.
It's all about comfort! Okay, back to the Farm show. We walked around most of the day looking at all the displays from antique cars, trucks and equipment to combines with computers installed, to waterless cookware. George found him a new International truck! They had it all. What a day! We all went home, dragging our behinds.The next morning we headed out early, saying goodbye to Eva and Bob and thanking them for an absolutely wonderful visit. We have had the privilege of visiting with three very special couples on this trip and their hospitality and kindness will never be forgotten!! As we headed down the road, we ran upon a round-up of cows on the road.
They seemed to be wishing us a safe trip as we "moooo"ved down the road. 
Next stop for a few days will be Winnepeg, Manitoba! And, since we are planning a three day stay, we can add another province to our "Traveling Map" on our trailer door! We are gradually getting all the states and most of Canada pasted up there. Our criteria is that we must stay at least three nights in a state or province to be able to add it to our map. So all you folks who see our trailer door and want to know how we managed to hit every state surrounding Idaho but don't have it on our map, now know. We only passed thru, but someday we'll go back and spend some time there and then we'll be able to add it!
They seemed to be wishing us a safe trip as we "moooo"ved down the road. Next stop for a few days will be Winnepeg, Manitoba! And, since we are planning a three day stay, we can add another province to our "Traveling Map" on our trailer door! We are gradually getting all the states and most of Canada pasted up there. Our criteria is that we must stay at least three nights in a state or province to be able to add it to our map. So all you folks who see our trailer door and want to know how we managed to hit every state surrounding Idaho but don't have it on our map, now know. We only passed thru, but someday we'll go back and spend some time there and then we'll be able to add it!
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