June 18, 2019
Our first stop today was Moose Jaw. It is great luck for the photographic record that we caught the giant moose (named Mac) with his pants down, so to speak. What I mean is that his antlers have been temporarily removed for embiggenment. This is so that he can outdo his recent evil Scandinavian twin and again be the giganticest moose on the planet, by like 30cm or something. As we ate lunch beside Mac dozens of cute squirrel sized creatures scurried around us hoping we’d drop some food. They had dug holes everywhere, including one under our picnic table for easy access. We were told at the visitor centre that they are gophers or “Richardson’s ground squirrels”.
Next we ventured to the Sukanen Ship and Pioneer Museum. Here lies Tom Sukanen’s ocean vessel that he built with his bare hands to sail him back to Finland. She is named the Sontianen (the “little dung beetle”). Amy and I had just learned of this craziness (unless you think ships in the prairies are normal) from reading Will Ferguson’s Beauty Tips From Moose Jaw book (a fun read).
The rest of the museum includes more than 20 buildings including a grain elevator. There is a building with dozens of (each) toasters, typewriters, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, even Easton’s and Sears catalogues. All old. This museum doesn’t say NO to local people that want to donate old stuff. And of course there is prime minister John Diefenbaker’s old house, which of course he had built at the age of 9 with his bare hands (and the help of dad or uncle, I can’t remember). It is a Canadian land mark, of course (and nearly a UNESCO icon, surely).
Next Amy bought yarn in Regina and gave us a little car tour of the university, the lovely paths by the river and a cool modern Native University building which had a gigantic glass and steel teepee central to the construction.
We’re now at Echo Vally Provincial Park (Valley View Campground) close to the town of Qu’Appelle which is the awesomest name ever. We are right beside a splendid lookout to the valley below and Echo and Pasqua Lakes which are connected by a narrow stream. Hopefully we can go swimming there tomorrow. I did not expect such hilliness and valleyness beauty in flat old Sask.
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