June 15th, Day 25, Indian Head, Sask, to Moosomin, Sask, 162km

I forgot to tell you…….I kissed my new saddle goodnight last night…… 

Yech. Who wants to get up at 5:30 in the morning, shrug on partially dry, (or another way of looking at it, partially wet) clothing. That’s what we did. Breakfast was our usual: uncooked oatmeal, powdered milk, tap water, chopped apple and sliced banana. Often we have yogurt but there’s none today. 

We left around 7:30 in the grey cloudy morning, the wind once again at our backs. We try to use the wind to our advantage as much as possible.We play little games on the road, like we each guess how far a certain building or tree or whatever is. And we’ll give ourselves little motivators, like let’s do 20km for a protein bar, or let’s do another 40km and then have lunch.

The sky was grey; showers were expected but it was dry throughout our ride. We made great time, stopping only for a protein bar mid-morning and again in Whitewood to eat the lunch we had preassembled that morning and to supplement it with a few things from the Co-Op grocery store at which we were parked. People look up at us when we enter a premise. And no wonder! We are all layered up, often dripping wet with helmets and reflective construction visibility vests. When I look in a mirror, I barely recognize myself! Oh, I never knew I could look this bad. And I mean BAD!  Usually I go to bed with clean but wet hair. When I awake it’s still damp and sculpted into very unusual configurations. But that’s ok. I’m only going to cram my head into a helmet for the day anyway. No makeup. Sunscreen only, sometimes applied in layers that eventually look chalky white. I’m wearing SPF 120 now in an attempt to prevent any sun rays from getting to my face. My nose is very brown, especially on the right side, as are my chin and cheeks. I have great white ovals around my eyes from the sunglasses. My hands are white where they are protected by gloves and I have little dark brown fingers. I’m dressed in the same clothes every day and generally look like a homeless person. What a prize package!

Moosomin, Saskatchewan is about 15 km from the Manitoba border. We were going to a “Warm Showers” there but we got in earlier than expected. We went to a little worn-out pub there and talked with a few local guys who had stopped in for a few pints before going home to their wives. Dilemma…..should we stay here for their steak sandwich special or go down the street for a Chinese buffet? Well, Chinese eventually won;Charlie was enticed by the word buffet. This picture shows him on his 3rd plate! 

Our hosts tonight were Blanche and Harvey, and their well loved family pets, their dog, Jordy and cat, Smokey. Harvey was born in Moosomin, Blanche came from Manitoba. They brought up 4 kids in their well tended home and when the kids left home they opened their doors to everyone and anyone who needed a place for the night. For a while they even ran a bed and breakfast. Now they see mostly people on “Warm Showers”, providing a bed and indeed, a warm shower. After Charlie and I had showered, we joined them for tea and conversation. Charlie left early as he was tired. He’s having trouble sleeping at night, whereas I’m comatose almost instantly. In fact, as I was riding today, I felt myself falling asleep, which is surely not recommended. Anyway, they told me about the tent caterpillars   and how much damage they’re doing. Blanche went out and retrieved one from a bucket to show me. I’ve seen them before. On the roadsides there are many trees, many of which are still brown and leafless. They explained that that was the result of the caterpillar invasion.  

Blanche and Harvey, both in their 70’s, with no family connection, love to follow Moosomin boys basketball and they go to every game, every tournament, whether at home or away.  The boys look for them and count on them being there. With a gleam in her eyes, Blanche pronounced that their dedication to those boys and the team gives them the right, at graduation, to give each boy a Bible, inscribed with a personal note of support and encouragement from these good people.

Thank you Harvey and Blanche, not only for providing us with accommodation and fellowship, but for your lifelong unwavering generosity to all who have come your way.