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Day 16--July 6-Driving from Brandon to Thunder Bay

We re-grouped after Ward's announcement early this morning in Brandon.  Waves of disappointment of course, coupled with concern for Ward's hand problem which we hope will resolve itself without the repeated stress of holding onto a handlebar for dear life!  Gordon has agreed to stick with us until we arrive in Sudbury to-morrow,.  He will stay over-night and then drive onwards to Guelph with the jeep.  Ward and I plan to stay in the Sudbury area for a few days next week and then fly home.  Gordon did all the driving today as we left the Prairies and crossed the border into Northern Ontario.  Loved seeing the rocks, trees and lakes once again.  We even saw a small moose in the ditch beside the road.  We arrived into Thunder Bay to-night.  Pouring rain.  Looking forward to Eric and Lori's home to-morrow!!

jul

Day 16

Well, I am sad to report that we have stopped the tour in Brandon Manitoba.  I have been having trouble with numb hands for some time but I thought I could ride it out.  However by Regina it was getting worse and I could not seem to get any relief.  I suppose it is some form of repetitive stress thingy.  We rode for the next two days but by Brandon I felt that if I continued I could do serious damage. Very disappointing as we seemed really strong and making great progress.  However we have done close to half the country and the Rockies.  We have had lots of fun, learned a lot and seen a lot of great scenery.  For all who participated in the ride a big thank you.  For all of you who have watched our trek I can only say thank you for the support and encouragement.  It has meant a lot.

Take care

Ward

Day 15--July 5--Whitewood to Brandon

We were all up around 5 am again.  The riders were about to set out when we heard air gushing out of Gordon's back tire!  Glass.  But after an expert fast tire change, they got on the road just after 6 a.m.  Time for me to relax!!!  Did my blog, read my book and packed up.  Caught up with them an hour or so later and did the water thing.  Then I went ahead to the Manitoba border and had a pleasant time sitting at a picnic table reading.  Nothing much to say about the landscape except that the farms seem smaller and are delineated by trees surrounding the homesteads.  In some places it has become more rolling, but still very flat.  After awhile the boys roll in having heard from Eric the horrible news about Riki and Jamie Gougeon and Richard Ross being killed in an float plane crash.  We are all in shock and are so very sad.  However, knowing that Riki would have been pushing Ward and Gordon all the way, the riders set out once again.  We meet in Virden, about 50 more km along the road.  A big farming community with a nice picnic area beside the road into town.  I'm loathe to leave my guys for very long today, so I wait for them at the turning into Griswold.  Naptime for Madge.  It is now very hot again after a morning of slight overcast.  The riders arrive and tell me that the wind is now pushing from the East, and of course, it is hot.  This is hard on them.
The goal now is Brandon at the Motel 8 which has the promise of a hot tub.  We all also still have the Gougeon family very much on our minds.  Entering Brandon, there is actually a couple of long slow hills into and out of a very pretty valley.  We're not used to this!  We end the day with dinner at an Indian restaurant, and wander a bit of Brandon downtown, enjoying the sounds of their multicultural Summer festival.  Take pictures of interesting bike racks!
Madge

Day 15--July 5-Whitewood, Saskatchewan to Brandon, Manitoba

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Ward Day 15

This is day 15.  We left the motel at 6:30 AM.  A little delayed as Gordon had a flat.  Who knew you could have one before you even start.  Weather good with a light or neutral breeze.  195 km to Brandon.  Eric called with the news that a plane crash killed Riki Gougeon, Jamie Gougeon and Riki's son in law Richard Ross.  This is a major tragedy.  Put a cloud over the day.  Anyway we had a nice picnic in Virden and then 70 km slog to Brandon.  At the Super 8 we had a hot tub and cocktail hour.  Long day but went well.

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"Still in Saskatchewan "

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Watch Gordon Skinner's live activity now!

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Day 14--July 4--Regina to Whitewood, Saskatchewan

We were all up at 5 this morning.  The sun in Regina was well up as well!  The benefits of no daylight saving time.  The riders left and it was only just after 6 so by the time I had packed up and headed out of town, it was only 7:20.  After stocking up at the grocery store I decided to treat myself to a coffee and muffin at Mcdonald's--my new best friend.  Caught up with Ward and Gordon an hour later for the usual water fill-up.    
Found a pretty nice picnic site at the entrance to Wolseley.  Read my book for a few minutes in the SHADE before the boys arrived.  We laid out our buffet lunch then noticed a Chinese family next to us who simply pulled out their rice cooker which was full of delicious-looking wraps.  That seemed more simple!  After lunch, we treated ourselves to our first ice cream cone of the trip.  Seemed a good way to celebrate such a nice picnic site.  They sure are few and far between on the prairies.  After the guys left, I drove into Wolseley proper and found a lovely lake complete with fountain and a swinging bridge!  Spent some time just sitting and enjoying the beauty of it.  Took a picture of the very straight railway track in Wolseley and the ubiquitous grain elevators.  Then onwards to Whitewood and the usual roadside motel.  Not much to this town but had a little bike ride around it and bought a bottle of white wine for Ward at the Pharmasave!  Supper to-night was at Archie's Diner nearby.  It felt like being in an episode of Corner Gas.  Brandon to-morrow.
Madge

Day 14--Pictures