Waking up in Rosetown to the sound of a major thunderstorm at 5am, made me quite grateful that I was cozy, safe and dry in a queen sized bed at a B & B called the Shady Porch (http://www.bbcanada.com/11522.html). The breakfast was AMAZING and the hosts were wonderful - made me feel great to be in Saskatchewan.
Anyway, left a bit later than anticipated. The sun was out and the winds were a bit nasty - not blowing completely in my face but enough to make me quickly realize that the journey wasn't going to be an easy one.
The prairies seem to go on forever, quite beautiful - hence the photos that I've included today. After about 45km - I was getting into a monotonous funk... the speaker on my bicycle needs new batteries and therefore music wasn't keeping me motivated, and the silence combined with the wind was BRUTAL. I was probably traveling at around 18km/h not my fastest (but I blame the wind and three long previous days). Then across the highway two dogs sprang to their feet and started barking wildly and gave chase... they ran after me for a good 500m or more - my adrenaline was pumping and I quickly made it up to 35km/h til they were well behind me...sigh. The first time being chased in the land where you can "watch your dog runaway for days". Or watch them run after you for days - sadly I don't have a picture of that.
Then the weather started looking NASTY behind me and sure enough a storm was brewing... more motivation as the sky turned greenish black and I could see that rain was imminent and or occurring not that far behind. The plan was to arrive in Saskatoon and stay with Joyce Wilson (Heather's sister whom I've known from the Bike Rally for 7 years). As I entered Saskatoon I was still quite dry... the winds picked up more... and by the time I arrived the storm was literally just above my head. Pulling up to her house just as the skies opened up, perfect timing.
It was great to see Joyce and meet Nikki and celebrate my journey thus far with some wine and beer and oodles of yummy food. Glad that I ended up coming north to this part of a beautiful relatively flat province.
Highlights:
- spending the evening with Joyce and Nikki
- seeing a deer while cycling
- wind kept the mosquito population at bay...
- arriving in Saskatoon
Distance traveled: 118.61km
Distance to date: 1777.78km
meant to mention that the first pic was taken through my sunglasses... this is what I've been seeing in the prairies... colours are slightly different than what you see with the naked eye.
ReplyDeleteNot exactly exciting scenery but beautiful in it's own way. Glad you're taking a day to chill.
ReplyDeleteDon't eat too much of that good food, the more you eat the harder you gotta push :)
Take care!
What a journey! Such kind folks you are meeting along the way. You sure have dealt with quite the active weather on this trip. Loved your comments about the dogs. Good pictures. Those mosquitoes sound like they would be enough to make me cycle faster too. I wish a continued safe trip for you.
ReplyDeleteNathan, when you get bored and your radio is not motivating you enough, sing ''I will survive'' or some other song ;)
ReplyDeletealso, seeing bolts of lightning...dear you need to find shelter... I want you to be safe!!!
Hi Nathan,
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures, thanks to post such nice one's of the flat landscape :-) Like also the dogs story and mosquitos :-) But what's nice is that you always meet and sleep in great place where you're safe and cozy
Wish you a nice ride... cy
thanks for the comments... Suzanne just so you know - I do watch the weather. I only pushed it cuz I thought I could outrun it (and almost did). Yvon - you are correct I have stayed with some amazing people, but that just makes sense - I'm AWESOME -hehehe - you said something like that to me in NZ. All the best.
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