I LOVE EVERYTHING
SASKATCHEWAN. Frank had the privilege of growing up in the
Que’Appelle Valley and so we’ve driven two summers in a row from our home in
Campbell River to various towns in this Big Sky province. I love his relatives,
who represent the wholesome, kind-hearted mindset of the small-town citizens.
You can simply pull up into a driveway, knock on the door and you are welcome
to stay as long as you like – we were offered a week, for example, at Julia’s
in Grenfell.
Once we left Paradise Valley, we travelled south on 897,
turned east on Highway 14 which, when it crosses into Saskatchewan, turns into
Route 40, also known as the Red River Trail.
Our conversations included what we knew about the ox cart routes connecting the
original Selkirk Settlement at Fort Garry in Winnipeg, Manitoba, all the way to
Saskatchewan and beyond. The Americans had the chuck wagon and the early
Canadian explorers had the Red River cart. It would have been a grueling
expedition considering that the adventurers had to sometimes make their own
trails. Now, as we move at 60 kilometers along this secondary highway, we are
thrilled to know that we are travelling the same route.
We stopped for a late lunch at Cut
Knife, Saskatchewan, and fell in love with its carefully restored
outdoor museum and campground. To our great surprise, there stood the largest
Tomahawk in the world. Here’s a quote from the plaque: Constructed in
1971 as a symbol of cooperation among local cultures. The tipi, a traditional First
Nations shelter, symbolizes respect, humility, faith, and sharing. The Tomahawk
or stone tool was used to build and create as well as for a weapon. It was
recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Largest
Tomahawk.
We had a long, informative conversation with Bob, the
groundskeeper, who shared with us that he’s been very busy servicing the
Centennial events of the incorporation of the town.
That evening, we showered in the facilities and enjoyed
another thunderous night of rain and lightening. Ah, Saskatchewan.
Next stop: North Battleford and the Western Development
Museum.
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| Word's Largest Tomahawk |
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| Frank prepares for the Fiddle-Fest |
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