Travelling in Waltz Time

Well, here it is, Tuesday evening and we are in Indian Head, Saskatchewan.  We are at a lovely KOA, following a smooth and uneventful ride from Portage La Prairie, where we spent the last three days.  We go forward, then we stop a bit and then we go forward again.

On Friday morning, we got up raring to go to Canada.  We had a nice breakfast, packed up the camper and get ready to go.  And before nine o'clock, no less.  We were looking forward to the day's run with anticipation.  But when we went to put the cats into their carriers, there was only one cat.  Fred the Cat had gone missing.  Oh, the anguish, oh, the wailing, much consternation all around.  We searched high and low.  I crawled under the bed and unpacked everything which was stored under there and packed it back and took it all out again, in an attempt to find Fred inside the camper.  We were very much afraid that he had, somehow, managed to escape and would be lost in the wilds of Manitoba forever.  Needless to say, we did not travel on Friday, but spent the day combing the campground and surrounding area for Fred.

Late in the afternoon, Susan heard a small noise coming from the shower stall (likewise, packed solid with stuff).  We tore down the cardboard "wall" which closed off the shower stall, took much of the stuff out and discovered Fred, blinking up at us from the depths, having been rudely awakened from his nap.  Do you know how, when you have been worried about someone, you tend to fuss at them when they show up safely.  Fred has been thoroughly fussed at and is forbidden to go near the bathroom anymore.

Saturday we drove to Portage La Prairie, Manitoba.  Crossing the Canadian border was a gas.  Very easy, since we had done our homework and had all of the forms already filled out.  Fifteen minutes of "How long will you be here?" and "Where are you going?" and we were on our way.

We stopped at Miller Camping Resort for Saturday night and Sunday.  On Sunday, we found the most charming Anglican Church in Portage.  It is about 150 years old and has the most lovely ceilings imaginable.  Worship was very satisfying and we went back to the campground for a bit of R & R before continuing on our way.  Our only real complaint has been the lack of cell and 3G coverage in rural Canada.  Pretty minor trouble, I'd say.

Monday morning, we got up, packed up bound BOTH cats and got on the road by 8:30.  Wonderful.  About 5 miles into the day's run, some people came up from behind Susan gesturing wildly that something was wrong with the trailer.  Sure enough, the bottom skin (under the trailer), from the axles to the bumper, had detached itself and was waving gaily in the breeze.  In the process, it emptied the storage bumper of it cargo of sanitary hoses and fitting and of extension cords.  I found parts of the sanitary hoses and fittings shredded on the highway, but the extension cords were gone with the wind.

So we turned around, went back to Miller's and spent the day trying to figure out how to fix the damage.  We replaced the extension cords and resolved simply not to pee until we get to Alaska.  In the end, Susan came up with the solution.  We got some 2x3's and bolted them to the steel frame, under the skin, to support it.  Then we pop-riveted the ends to the bumper to complete the repair.  Now it is stronger than it was in the first place.  Well done, Susan.  As soon as I get a chance to but some 1x12's, I will put a new bottom in the storage bumper and all will be well.

I finished that this morning about noon and we made the 250 mile run to Indian Head this afternoon.  A very pleasant run, with a tail wind helping us along.  And here we are, in a truly lovely KOA campground with reliable Internet access, again, as well.  Tomorrow we go on to Saskatoon, which will mark the half-way point of our trip. 

God is good, all the time.  He has ridden with us all the way, keeping us safe and reasonably content.  Keep praying for us, out there.  We are moving on...........