Tuesday June 25th

Happily ensconced at Riding Mountain National Park. I opted for electricity this time and good thing - the sites are almost all in shade.

Driving here was interesting - I went through the Interlakes District - a road that runs between two branches of Lake Manitoba. It is stunning countryside, and very little development. If this were Southern Ontario, there would have been a house or resort on every square inch.

After leaving that area I started to see what I first thought was cloud - but it turned out to be a mountain - or a large hill really. Riding Mountain apparently. Quite wild and wonderful. Lots of hiking trails which I plan to take advantage of tomorrow morning and a large lake to kayak on in the afternoon. Apparently the bears are the shy kind (i.e. black bears) so I was assured that solo hiking is fine. I'll have all my protections with me - bear bell, air horn, bear spray, and attitude. Not sure how much effect that latter has on bears, but it makes the hike more fun!

The star of the day was the sky. So huge - and I realized I could see 360 degrees. White fluffy clouds - then dark - then rain - then sun again. It was an ever changing spectacle.

Now sitting in a bookstore/cafe drinking the best tea I've ever had! Called Manitoba Wilderness it contains peppermint, nettle, yarrow, red clover, rosehips, ginger and cayenne! It's spicy and wonderful! I think I'll need to take some with me.

Over and out now for a couple of days. I'll be staying in a small spot somewhere in Western Saskatchewan on Thursday night. I may blog from there.