Thaismiths Travel Abroad: August 2019

Spending Time in Saskatchewan

Here are highlights from our trip to Canada in the summer of 2019. This blog entry covers the time that we spent in Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Watrous. The other parts of our trip are in following blogs.

A typical prairie scene - near Saskatoon.

Itinerary:

June 22 – depart Phuket

June 23 – arrive Beijing

June 28 – depart Beijing, arrive Canada

June 28 to July 14 – in Edmonton and Vancouver with our son and his family

July 15-21 – in Saskatoon and on houseboat in Amisk Lake

July 22-29 – Loretta in Saskatoon and Moose Jaw

July 22-29 – Darrel in Saskatoon and Watrous

July 29 – depart Saskatoon for Phuket

July 31 – arrive Phuket

Darrel’s Details:

July 21

Our adventure on the houseboat in Amisk Lake was over. We were dropped off at the dock at 0930 and started our way back to Saskatoon. We stopped in Warman at Marleen and Larry's other daughter Candy and her husband Scott's place for dinner, joined by their son TJ and by Shaylynn, Louis and their two daughters Sophie and Stella.

Finally - enjoying hot weather beside the pool at Candy and Scott's.

Once back to Marleen and Larry's condo, Loretta did our laundry, we all showered and then went to bed.

July 22

Today I dropped Loretta off at Anita's where she will spend the rest of her time in Saskatoon before heading to Moose Jaw to visit the rest of her family.

On this day, she and Anita went for a walk in the neighbourhood, then later went with Graham to “Pacific Billiards” to play some pool. By her own admission, Loretta is not a good pool player.

Along the river.

Anita setting up the balls at the pool hall.

Marleen, Larry and I headed out to Blackstrap Lake where they have a lake house (currently up for sale). Here are some photos from the "for sale" sight:

Our photo of Marleen on her bike.

Our photo of a Saskatchewan sky.

Their neighbor, Todd has recently bought a 25 foot sailboat so I was quickly coerced into going sailing with him. I think he thought I would teach him a few things about sailing, but I showed him wrong as I pushed the tiller in the wrong direction as we left the dock. Actually we had a great 2-hour sail as we tacked down the lake and then flew the spinnaker to take us home.

Kevin joined us for supper and after he left we watched a movie, Secret Obsession, then hit the sack at 2300.

July 23

The main event today was the family BBQ. Loretta was staying at Anita's but came out to the lake for this event. Earlier in the day, they went to Wanuskewin Heritage Park and went on a walking tour to see two “bison jumps”. Loretta also found a bunch of souvenirs to buy. Then they went to Earls for lunch and did some more shopping in the wine shop next door. Kevin picked up Loretta after he was finished work.

Graham and Anita at Wanuskewin, currently under expansion.

In the museum.

Walking to a "bison jump". Hunters herded the bison and drove them over the cliff.
It was the only way they could manage to kill such a large animal.
Tribe members waited below with spears and bows to finish the kills.
The bison were used for food, clothing, tools and toys, among other uses.
This type of hunting was a communal event occurring as early as 12,000 years ago.

A painting by Alfred Jacob Miller.

At the top of a bison jump.

Our guide telling us how the hunts were conducted.

Back in town on a pretty Saskatoon street. Anita loves plants.

Everyone from my side of the family (with the exception of Jody and her family, and Dylan and his family) was at the family barbeque at Blackstrap Lake. I am always amazed how small my family is when we all get together, especially as compared to Loretta's family. (Marleen, Larry, Candy, Scott, TJ, Courtney, Josh, Kevin, Dawn, Rob, Danny, Kristi, Shaylynn, Louis, Sophie, Stella, Loretta, Darrel). Unfortunately, it didn't occur to any of us to get a group photo.

Family members came from as far away as Watrous, Warman, Martinsville and Lloydminster (a 3-hour drive each way).

The meal consisted of a huge roast prime rib, ham, potatoes, salad and peas. The highlight for me was a key lime pie that my niece, Shaylynn made.

Enjoying the shade on a hot, sunny day.

Grandma Dawn and Sophie.

Grandpa Rob and Uncle Larry teasing Sophie.

Aunt Marleen playing ball with Stella.

Catching up on family news.

Lots of work went into the meal. (Marleen, Larry and Dawn).

Shaylynn and her famous key lime pie.

It was a nice family reunion. Thank you all for coming.

July 24

Marleen, Larry and I were going to walk to the Farmers Market and Remai Modern Art Gallery but just as we left their condo it started to rain so we took the car.

We picked up a few veggies at the market and then went to the art gallery. It was similar to other art galleries that I have visited, i.e., contained a lot of "art" that I really cannot appreciate.

From there we went to a tiny, but interesting restaurant, D'lish by Tish, close to their condo but they have never got into due to it being full.

Art that Darrel doesn't really appreciate.

(Not our photo).

Loretta shopped again – at Costco and Bed Bath and Beyond. There was a strange weather system that created the strangest looking cloud she has ever seen. They also got a bit of rain where they were.

Of course -
now we need a slot for our phones.

We love lamb.
No room in the suitcase though.

Visiting at the Langfords.

A clip of the hail storm that hit:

I was invited over for dinner at Anita and Grahams and their daughter, Heather not only joined us but cooked the meal, a delicious Salmon Risotto. While I was there, a hail storm hit. It was the second hail storm to hit while I was out in the Marleen's yellow bug.

When I got home Marleen and Larry had just started watching an Adam Sandler movie which was very silly.

July 25

Today was supposed to have been the day where Dawn, Rob and I were to go for a bike ride along Meewasin Trail and then join others for a picnic, but the weather was cool and wet so we switched it until tomorrow.

Weather also affected Loretta’s day, so it involved shopping at the Mall (dresses and camisoles) and then sandwiches for lunch by Graham. They were joined for dinner at Taverna Restaurant by the Langford's friend Tracy, who Loretta met for the first time. Then they went and played pool again, and Loretta admits her game did not improve.

Graham and Anita -
downtown Saskatoon.

Loretta loves to shop.

Due to the weather we laid low today. Late afternoon we headed to the home of Shaylynn and Louis in Warman. Everyone except for Kevin, Courtney and Josh showed up for the BBQ. Rob's niece, Jessica and her hubby Kas joined us and shocked everyone with the news that they were having twins.

Again, no one thought to organize a group photo.

Grandpa Rob with Stella and Sophie.

Shay, Jessica and Kas.

Dawn, Louis, Shay, Jess, Kas, Marleen.

It's going to be twins!

We returned home by 2030.

July 26

The weather today started off much better than yesterday. Dawn, Rob, Candy, TJ and I went for a 2-hour bicycle ride along Meewasin Trail which goes along the bank of the Saskatchewan River.

When I was invited to participate in this bicycle ride I imagined a nice relaxing ride along the river with stops to take in the beautiful scenery and to smell the roses. I also expected we would stop at one of the many ice cream outlets located along the way. However, less than 30 minutes into this ride I realized how wrong I was. Between gasps of air I yelled to my younger sister Dawn "I am okay with this leg of the triathlon but I am NOT doing the swim. The water is too cold." None of my race team members got the hint. And, maybe it was because we were all going so fast and I lost it in the blurred scenery as we sped past, but I never did see one ice cream stop. In hindsight I wished I would have taken up the offer from Marleen to use her electric bicycle.

Following the ride, Dawn, Rob and I along with Marleen and Larry went to Kinsmen Park to join Shaylynn, Sophie and Stella to have a picnic. I supplied chocolate covered donuts from Nutana Bakery for dessert. Then the two little kids went on the various rides adjacent to the park. We all went on the Ferris wheel.

As if biking wasn't enough.

Along the route.

Rob, Dawn, TJ, Candy, Darrel.

Along the route.

Photos from Kinsmen Park:

Marleen, Larry and I returned to the condo for a much deserved relaxing afternoon. Kevin joined us for dinner and we had left-over chocolate covered donuts for dessert.

Before bed we watched the movie “Close”.

Today, Loretta was picked up by her brother Frank to take her down to Moose Jaw to visit the rest of her family. First they drove past Brenda’s cabin that she built and also saw Cousin Michelle biking along the lake road - small world. She stopped at her sister Teresa’s for lunch, then went to her sister Jackie’s to settle in. Jackie and Steve took Loretta out to Mortlach for dinner at the Little Red Market Café. After dinner, they popped into the Knights of Columbus Hall (where Jackie and Steve were married a number of years ago) where cousins Michelle and Mary B were celebrating a family birthday.

At the cabin at Buffalo Pound Lake.
Sometimes North Americans call their bison buffalo.

Teresa and Loretta trying to do a collage.

Bob did a great job of taking their photo.

Steve and Jackie in the shade of their tree.

Selfie time.

In Mortlach at the Little Red Market Café.

The low sun created some long shadows.

Moose Jaw's St. Joseph Church -
across from the Knights of Columbus Hall.

Jackie, Michelle, Mary B, Loretta.

Jackie and Steve, then and now
at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

July 27

The main activity today was to attend the annual car show in Watrous. Even though the car show was very interesting with old cars from all over Saskatchewan, our attendance was a good reason to visit Dawn and Rob at their home in Watrous. Shaylynn and her two daughters were also there.

We arrived just in time for refreshments and lunch. We all then walked to the main street of Watrous that was closed off to traffic in order to allow some 200 old cars to be exhibited by their owners. The oldest car, made in 1919, was celebrating its 100th birthday.

We all walked home to have some more refreshments followed by a BBQ consisting of moose sausages as appetizers, stuffed chicken breasts, elk tenderloin, plus all the trimmings. To end it off we had Saskatoon berry crumble with ice cream. Yum, burp!

Larry at Dawn and Rob's.

Marleen in the side yard.

A beautiful yard set up for summertime fun.

A very well-kept barn.

The back yard is pretty spectacular.

Rob makes guitars.

Larry, Sophie, Stella and Rob.

Shay, Dawn, and some wholesome food.

At the car show.

Back at Dawn and Rob's, waiting for the barbeque.

Then we headed back to Saskatoon. In the evening we watched the movie Mile 22.

Today, Loretta met up with some high school friends (actually, two of the friends went to school with her for 12 years – Kathie Smith and Gary Oledski) for coffee at Chrysalis. Then she went back to Jackie’s for a light lunch (some of the appetizers for the barbeque later on). The barbeque was attended by all her siblings – Teresa, Anita, Frank, Jackie, plus Steve, Bob, Graham, Kris, Brandon, Andrew, David, Shannon, little Quinn, Cousin Jeanette, friend Kathie, and newcomers Kassie and little Willow. Loretta was treated to a belated birthday cake.

There were no group photos taken at the barbeque, so Loretta created some collages.

High school buddies.

In-laws Steve, Graham, Bob and Kris.

Frank, Brandon, Jackie, Andrew and Jeanette.

Willow, Quinn, Shannon and Dave.

The hosts with their most appreciative guests.

Good fun, good food.

The siblings:
Jackie, Teresa, Anita, Loretta, Frank.

Loretta's friend Kathie knew Frank well, too,
and they had lots of catching up to do.

July 28

This was our last day in Canada. Almost all my family members met for brunch at the Berry Barn for our last get-together.

If these were lazy boy chairs, that could be Loretta and Darrel.

TJ, Scott, Marleen, Candy, Kevin.

Sophie, TJ and Stella with one of the resident dogs.

We did a quick shop on the way back to Marleen and Larry's and then I packed for our trip home.

Loretta returned from visiting her family in Moose Jaw. She had spent the morning having a brunch at Teresa’s, and then Graham and Anita drove her back through some rough weather. Immediately upon her return we headed off to a nearby movie theater to watch “Yesterday”. We all immensely enjoyed it. We then walked back to the condo and had a goodbye glass of wine. We watched a movie called “Ben is Back” and then called it a night. Two really great movies in one evening. And popcorn too!

The skies did not look friendly.

Buffalo Pound Lake (I know, it should be bison)
was very rough on this day.

Hey Dude, this was a great movie.

July 29

Today started very early, especially for Larry who could not be talked into letting us take a cab. He said we were worth it (to ensure we did not miss our plane and have to stay longer).

Our plan was to get up when our alarm was to sound and get dressed and go. But at 0320 our phone beeped, or burped, and it woke both of us up. We forgot to put it on Airplane Mode.

Now that we were awake we decided to have a shower and eat the breakfast (Marleen’s homemade very berry muffins and fruit) that Marleen had packed for us the night before so we could take it to the airport with us. At 0420 Larry got up and off we went to the airport, in 9 C weather. The globally hottest July ever - yah, sure.

Once at the airport everything fell into place as it should. We had a 3-hour stopover in Vancouver and then a 6-hour stopover at Seoul.