Sky, Birds, Water, Words

Rolling into Saskatchewan at the end of September we kept a wary eye on the bruised-looking clouds low overhead.  They carried rain, but not the heavy water weight of coastal formations.  These clouds frisked west like fluffy ponies and were out of our range before any precipitation fell. I felt my shoulders roll back and my chin tilt upwards. Took a deep breath and let it go.  Eyes ahead and 180 sight lines, we could see forever.

Near Reed Lake, a vast, shallow sheet of water that didn’t exist when I was a kid, thousands of snow geese bobbed along the surface mingling with scores of tundra swans.  In a happy coincidence their southern migration intersected with our eastern journey.  Hunters will be bagging their share.

Saskatchewan used to be categorized as an arid region.  Farmers would pray for enough rain to grow their wheat.  These days, although there are still some dry areas in the north, much of the province has too much water.  Farmers are forced to work around overflows and battle the calendar for enough time between late rains and early frost.  The hard-hit Quill Lakes region has over 60,000 arable acres underwater.  Ancestral farmland is lost as three lakes have merged into one super-lake that’s risen seven metres in the last few years.  And if the dry days return, the salt left behind will effectively put an end to agriculture.

And dead lakes lead us to Mortlach.  This small town sprouted up 100 years ago to service the CPR and is now a bedroom community to Moose Jaw, 50 kms east.  There are some nice amenities including the Little Red Market cafe which serves a delicious Cajun menu. This is seriously good food from a PICA trained chef. Make the effort to visit.

https://www.facebook.com/LittleRedMarketCafe/

Moose Jaw used to be known as The Friendly City, but rebranded with a new slogan in 2009: Moose Jaw, surprisingly unexpected.  

Not quite Mad Men potential, but the City invested $65,000 to back this campaign.  Apparently, it’s had little effect bringing in the tourists and city councillors want a new catch-phrase.  We like MJ for real (in the vein of Keep Portland Weird). What do you think – any suggestions?   

Snowy days ahead... talk to you later.