{"id":100,"date":"2004-09-23T22:57:29","date_gmt":"2004-09-24T04:57:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/?p=100"},"modified":"2016-08-14T20:31:41","modified_gmt":"2016-08-15T02:31:41","slug":"spirit-ridge-wanderers-the-2004-2005-oddessy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/2004\/09\/23\/spirit-ridge-wanderers-the-2004-2005-oddessy\/","title":{"rendered":"The 2004 \/ 2005 \u201cOddessy\u201d – The Beginning"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spirit Ridge Wanderers \u2013 The 2004 \/ 2005 \u201cOddessy\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

September 17, 2004 –<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, despite our best intentions, we did not get the start that we wanted to our trip. Hopefully it is not foretelling of things to come. From the time that Pat got home, we got the water shut off in the cabin, and got the motor home and toad loaded – it was too late to go far. However we thought it was important to get away from home at least.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Therefore we made the 22 km trek to the Epp’s house for a hot tub and hot dogs, and to sleep on the street at the side of their place. Thanks folks – it was a great send off.<\/p>\n

It was still great to get underway and know that the cabin was closed until May. This delay was also probably a good thing – as we managed to remember a few things that we forgot at the cabin – and went and got them the next morning. Oh well – the whole point of this is to not plan things too far ahead.<\/p>\n

\"0001<\/p>\n

September 18, 2004 –<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

On the road … finally.<\/p>\n

Travelled through Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and on to Eagle Valley Campground – just outside of Maple Creek. Very nice little campground \u2013 with very few people around. Travel was uneventful – clear with a bit of windy. When we went for a walk around the campground that evening – saw three peregrine falcons, an owl, and lots of different bugs… Kids were thrilled with all the bugs – including a funnel spider – and a large beetle. The night was a bit cool \u2013 but still very comfortable.<\/p>\n

\"Map<\/p>\n

September 19, 2004 –<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Up early – boys to \u201cschool\u201d – mom teaching, dad busy doing the driving. We drove as far as Moose Jaw, before taking a break.<\/p>\n

Went on a Tour of the Tunnels in Moose Jaw — took both tours — one on the plight of the Chinese immigrants in Canada. The second tour had to do with the tunnels being used during prohibition – for rum running – and supposedly Al Capone’s visit to the area (because it was at the end of the SOO line out of Chicago. The tunnels were originally made by the steam engineer’s to connect the boiler systems between buildings – and then used by others. The presentations were interesting – but still not convinced as to how accurate the portrayal was.<\/p>\n

Travelled on to Regina to spend a couple of days with Pat’s aunt and uncle. Tara, Paul and Sam came over for supper with us. Sam has really grown since the last time we saw him and was quite taken with Mickey and Keelan. Played Canasta tonight night and the boys beat the girls.<\/p>\n

\"01
\nSeptember 20, 2004 –<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Off to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum today. Kids really seemed to enjoy the wildlife exhibits and the fact that most of the limestone that were used for the museum, legislative buildings, etc – (quarry out of Winnipeg) has fossils in them. They have now spent several hours looking at the various old buildings trying to find all the different fossils.<\/p>\n

Again Canasta tonight – and the boys won again.<\/p>\n

\"02<\/p>\n

September 21, 2004 –<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Today was dedicated to retrofitting the Motor Home. We removed the swivel seat from the motor home – and replaced it with two totes – to hold the all the various school books and supplies that the boys have. This allows the materials to be permanently stored there and we do not have to move boxes around and off the seats to eat. Although it took some time to come up with the design – actual installation did not take too long. Kids watched movies and played games but did not do much of anything else.<\/p>\n

Canasta tonight – and the girls finally won.
\nSeptember 22, 2004 –<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Plan was to leave Regina today – however we were delayed by a minor mechanical problem (heater fan not working). While it was being repaired we did a walk around Wascana Park and did a tour of the Legislative buildings. It was a beautiful day to walk around. Had a great lunch at a little restaurant at the Park.<\/p>\n

Finally got on the road about 3:00 pm – and went as far as Virden, Manitoba. Nice little campground run by the local Lion’s Club. It seems like a very friendly little town. Only problem seemed to be the nine trains that came through the town that night \u2013 with the tracks being close to the campground.<\/p>\n

\"Map<\/p>\n

September 23, 2004 –<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Up early this morning and drove as far as Spruce Woods Provincial Park. The area we explored is known as Spirit Sands. There was no on there at all. Did about a 6 km walk around the sand dunes. Saw desert spider holes – including one spider working on the web. Also saw one of the rare “Hog-Nosed Snakes”. This snake when approached – coils up and tries to strike like a rattlesnake – and if that fails – rolls over and plays dead.<\/p>\n

Day was overcast and it threatened rain – but we managed to get our walk in – without getting wet. Continued down the road to Winnipeg – to visit Deb’s long time best friend \u2013 Tammie and her husband Kim. Most of the crops around Winnipeg are still standing in the field – and there is lots of standing water around. It rained really heavy over the night – and the ground is really soggy.<\/p>\n

\"20\u00a0\u00a0 \"27<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spirit Ridge Wanderers \u2013 The 2004 \/ 2005 \u201cOddessy\u201d September 17, 2004 – Well, despite our best intentions, we did not get the start that we wanted to our trip. Hopefully it is not foretelling of things to come. From the time that Pat got home, we got the water shut off in the cabin, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":136,"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100\/revisions\/136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/spiritridge.info\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}