North Battleford, Saskatchewan to Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba.
After two nights at Rose and Al's place it was time to hit the road again. We had an early start and pulled out of their yard at around 7:30 am on the 18th of May.
North Saskatchewan River crossing north west of Saskatoon.
Before long, we passed Saskatoon, the potash capital of the world. This city also has a great university U of S, where yours truly spent some time being a so called book worm.
Further east we passed Little Manitou Lake at Watrous to the south (click on the map above for more details). This is a place that should not be missed, if you have not had the chance to visit it before. The lake is so salty that you float like a cork on the water. The village also has a great spa to pamper you, if you don't feel like jumping into the lake. I have visited this special place several times, truly amazing.
We just passed through Saskatoon, heading east.
Just got to love the open space.
Further east we pass the town of Wynyard, the chicken capital of the world (just thought you wanted to know that). At the end of the the day we set up camp in the City Campground in the town of Yorkton, SK.
We stopped at the City Campground in Yorkton, Sk.
Nice little campground with Electric and water services. A common sani dump is available. Yorkton is a quaint and comfortable little town with lots of new developments.
We went to the local museum in Yorkton.
The old chuck wagon
We got a friendly wake up call at 5:30 am on the 19th of May by a cute little woodpecker (Liz did not think that I appreciated it, apparently I was growling in bed calling it everything else but cute....) drumming away on a garbage can. See our movie below.
Early awake, we started our planned trip to visit and stay in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba....
Riding Mountain National Park, straight south of Dauphin Manitoba, a high plateau.
Riding Mountain National Park
Looking in the rear view mirror
Riding Mountain National Park
Riding Mountain National Park
Riding Mountain National Park
Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba
We arrived in the park coming in from the North from the city of Dauphin. Riding Mountain is a really high plateau in the middle of the prairie. The campground we were hoping for was not open yet, so we just stopped for a while, had lunch, walked around for a bit, and continued our journey.
The drive through parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba showed us how the areas are still suffering from high water levels and flooding. it is very sad to see. We really feel for these people.
Flooding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Flooding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Flooding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba
Flooding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba
We decided to set our sights on Whiteshell Provincial Park and the Falcon Lake Campground. We took the big bypass to the south of Winnipeg and headed straight east on Trans Canada Hwy #1.
Heading East on the Trans Canada Hwy.
Red River, Manitoba, flooding surrounding areas
Red River, Manitoba
We arrived at the Falcon Lake Campground in Whiteshell Provincial park on the Manitoba border early evening. This campground with full hookups offers a lot of activities for everybody.
Camping at Falcon Lake
On the beach at Falcon Lake Campground in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba.
Nice evening light
Deer grazing in the park
Bird lovers paradise in the bird sanctuary next to the campground.
Canada Goose
Canada Goose in Flight
Wonderful beach for swimming, boat launching, and a birdwatcher's paradise. We went for a great hike along the lake and took in all the sights.
On to Ontario next. More pictures from this trip, click links below
5:15 am we got up to get an early start on our trip across Alberta and into Saskatchewan. Looking out the window with sleepy eyes we were greeted with 7 elk checking out our Rockwood trailer... I told them quickly "it is not for sale" so they went knocking on the neighbours door instead. Wow those are big animals!
Elk checking out our trailer
More Elk. They look pretty scruffy this time of year, just loosing their winter coats.
37 minutes later we are rolling out of Jasper, out of the Rockey Mountains, into the Foothills and out on the prairie. What an incredible country we live in, it never seems to amaze me.
Leaving Whistlers Campground in the Morning Sun.... Coffee in hand of course.
Many more elk greeted us on the way out of the park, no Bighorn sheep this time, maybe next.
Leaving Jasper National Park, heading East
Elk on the side of the road
Leaving the Rocky Mountains Behind
We smoked past Edmonton taking the by-pass with Liz (lead foot) at the wheel.
Liz at the wheel
Edmonton Traffic
Get in the left lane....
We made a quick stop in Elk Island National park just east of Edmonton. This national park is a bit different and is home to herds of Buffalos.... you just have to see it. Camping is also available in the park.
Elk Island National Park, east of Edmonton, Alberta
Buffalo Grazing
Buffalo on the run
On the road again we headed for the border town of Lloydminister. This is a true oil town and is home to the Husky Up-Grader that turns the black sticky crude into usable fuel.
The Husky Up-Grader
Black crude being pumped up in to tanks all over the Lloydminster area
We fueled up the truck and set our sights on my sister and brother in-law's farm just north of North Battleford.
Large trucks on the road passing us.
Not much to stop the wind
Arriving in North Battleford, Saskatchewan
The truck was getting a good workout with 65 km/hr head winds. The fuel consumption increased by 25% fighting the wind. We arrived shortly after 5 pm and were greeted by my sister Rose and my mom Ruth (mom lives in the town of North Battleford), Al was as usual working late seeding this years crop, 14hr plus days, makes me tired just thinking of it.
Rose cooking up a storm
Left is my sister Rose and on the right my mom Ruth.
We set up camp in Rose and Al's yard overlooking Jackfish Lake, supper and a glass of wine was served before we could blink and eye....
Looks a bit tired after the trip
Wonderful views overlooking the lake
Rose and Al are both superb chefs with Prairie Hospitality, got to love it.
