May 9 - Souris, MB

The view from my window at Goodwill Farms.

As sailors, Ron and I learned to monitor the weather, not just daily, but sometimes hourly depending on the conditions.  Some would say we were overly cautious.  We believed we were prudent and careful.  Why go out in fog when you do not have to?  Why head out on a three hour trip when the winds are building beyond your comfort zone?  I am applying the same thought process to travelling across the Prairies.  I have heard stories, I have been warned, and I understand things are different as I travel.  I have been studying weather reports and  wind reports to travel in favourable conditions.  My angels are looking out for me.  

I left Weyburn, SK this morning.  I had planned to leave at 0900 but I decided 0730 would be a better time.  I was following my gut, my intuition, the little voice on my shoulder.  I am sure glad I did because no sooner did I get here

The weather forecast.

 than the rain came down in sheets.  I had set up and got inside Minnie Home just in time. 

I left in cloudy yet bright skies.  I travelled the Red Coat Trail.  It’s a nod to the RCMP.  I was happy to be off the Trans Canada where the speed is 110kph.  I felt that I was missing the small towns but passing through the metropolises where you could find Tim Hortons, grocery stores, and bigger gas stations.  I didn’t need any of that.  I wanted the side road where the speed was only 100kph.  To tell you the truth, I only travel 90kph because the roads are two lanes, few pullouts, and today very uneven.  That didn’t stop me from enjoying the scenery.  It’s also funny to note that as soon as I hit the Manitoba border, it started to rain, not a lot, but enough to turn on the wipers.

Beautiful rain art on my window.

Here are some interesting things I have noticed.  The roads are straight and the center line is dotted meaning cars can pass.  But very few do.  At home, the cars behind me would be crowding my bumper and almost pushing me along until I move over or speed up.  Not here.  

Another thing, and I am not sure why, but the transport trucks, when they meet me going the opposite direction, they throw up a wall, I mean a WALL of water that I cannot see through. I just make sure I am on a straight stretch and stay the course.  At one point I slowed down so I did not meet a truck on a corner.  So, is it the road, is it the truck, or is it a combination of both.  And keep in mind, it was not raining very hard but the road was certainly wet.  

As I drive, I think a LOT.  I think about what I might want to share with you, I think about how live has changed over the years, I think of the adventure that lies ahead.  One thing I did notice is that I often forgot some gems that I wanted to share.  I asked SIRI to make a recording for me but she said she could not.  I ask you, what good is SIRI if she cannot help me while I am driving.  

I also asked her to change her voice because I was tired of having another woman tell me where to go. Hahahahahah.  She said she could not help me.  Geeeeeez.

Today, I had a brainiac moment.  I could speak to my Apple Watch.  It has a 

Morgan waiting patiently for the rain to lighten.

recording option, so I don’t miss anything important to share with you.  

On that note, a fox crossed my path today.  It was definitely a fox by the face but quite a bit different in colour from the one I saw in Whitehorse City last year.  

I was driving the other day and was wishing that more flags were flown.  That way I could have a gauge of the wind.  The crops are too short to do their Canadian wave in the fields so I have to turn to trash.  There is a lot of fencing and if a plastic bag gets caught in the fence, I can see how much it is fluttering.  I also take note of how big or small the tattered bag is.  Another wind gauge is waves on the ponds.  I’ve yet to see white caps so I feel fortunate.  

Today is a lot of reading and not many photographs and that is because I did not stop between Weyburn and Souris.  It was important I get here as early as possible.