Week ending July 3, 2013

On Thursday we arrived in Prince Albert, finally had cell phone service. After a stop at the grocery store we set up at the exhibition RV Park. It is a full service campground, close to downtown PA.  We were able to talk to Trev and find out that High River is still evacuated, and he and family are living in a borrowed condo in Okotoks.   There is a problem with the wi-fi here at the campground, so we went to the library (only  7 blocks away) to check our email.  Friday we went to visitor information to pick up maps and other information about the area. After lunch we did the historic downtown walk. What a great day, hot and sunny, so we came home sunburned.

Saturday another hot sunny day, we walked to the farmers market again only about 6 blocks away. After picking up some fresh veggies we walked home for lunch. We then headed to the Saskatchewan Rivers Forks, about 35 km east  of PA. Both the North and South Saskatchewan rivers are running high, but are not overflowing the banks here.  On the way home we listened to the Roughrider, Eskimo football game, Joan was more pleased with the result than John was.

Sunday after  having coffee at Tim's, catching up on our email, we looked up an address for a laundromat. On the way home we got a call from Trev with an update on his situation. He had been able to inspect his house.  They will not be allowed back in until the basement has been repaired. He needs to replace the hot water tank, the furnace and everything else that was in the basement has to be replaced. There was sewer water 3 feet deep in the basement. As terrible as it all sounds he is feeling fortunate compared to many of his friends and neighbours in High River. We headed home to watch the Nascar race - originally scheduled for Sat. night, but rained delayed until Sunday. After dinner we caught up on our laundry.

Canada day was celebrated by a trip to Batoche.  On our way to Batoche we stopped at Duck Lake and looked at the many murals on main street.

 We carried on to the Batoche National Historic site. Although we knew a lot about the Riel Rebellion from our high schools days, it was a great review. Of course again we encountered Middletons being involved in Canada's history. (The last time was when Kate was on her honeymoon in PEI).  This time the name wasn't quite so well thought of as General Middleton had some issues quelling the rebellion.

On our way home we encountered an example of Saskatchewan's highway potholes.

We stopped in some of the small towns along the way back to PA looking for a ice cream stop, even the Okanogan fruit truck was closed. As a result we had to wait until we got to Cones next to the exhibition RV park in PA.

July 2nd was one of the warmest days we've had in a long time. We spent the morning on Christopher Lake in our boat and the afternoon swimming at Emma Lake. A perfect way to spend such a warm day. We had dinner at Venice restaurant. Joan had a seafood salad (Yes we know we are some distance from fresh seafood) and John had a steak.

On Wednesday morning, we had a thunderstorm roll through.  Usually they are in the evening of a warm day, so this one was a little late.  We spent the day preparing to leave on Thursday.