Carlyle, Saskatchewan to Souris, Manitoba

Today a friend said now that you crossed into Manitoba there is good news and there is bad news.  I said give me the good news.  He said the good news is you are now half way home to Sarnia.  The bad news is you are only half way home to Sarnia.  Both are true. It is all in how you look at things.

The most notable event today on the ride occurred about mid-day. As I’m cycling along a car pulls up alongside me and the passenger starts peppering me with questions – ” Are you OK?, Do you need anything?, Where are you going?” I suggest to the two occupants that if we want to continue a conversation perhaps we should pull over.

Jeremy and Gilbert are two members of the Dakota First Nation. Now at the side of the road we continue our conversation which initially focuses on what I’m doing. Eventually we get into a discussion about Reconciliation, Residential Schools and apartheid in South Africa. They noted that they were surprised Canadians knew little about residential schools and the fact that the last residential school closed just 25 years ago in 1996. I make mention of the fact that while most Canadians are appalled about apartheid in South Africa few would know that it was based in part on the reservation system in Canada. We end our discussion with a group photo. Jeremy and Gilbert head on their way and I continue to cycle to Souris.

We arrived in Souris late in the day and found the Municipal Campground.  It was a beautiful setting along the Souris River and an easy walk to downtown.  It was also the most perfect late summer day, brilliant sunshine with a comfortable temperature.  Once everything was set up we sat outside with a glass of wine enjoying the day and the surroundings.

Deb really wants to watch the Queen’s Funeral in the morning.  (If you didn’t already know now you do, there is  a delay in posting these updates) Thinking that perhaps there might be somewhere opening early Maggie and I walk through town but nothing looks promising.  Then we stumble upon a lady sitting in front of the library.  When I asks she tells me that you can access the library wi-fi in front of the building and that there isn’t a password required.  We now have a place to watch the funeral.