Swift Current to Ponteix
Awoke to raindrops! Not what we wanted to hear! After a brief discussion about our planned route, we packed our gear and headed for a McD breakfast. Hit the road by 8:50 to a rain filled sky. Leaving Swift Current was a 20 km climb through Saskatchewan cropland. Knew that Saskatchewan was going to show us its 'bread and butter'. After 40 km things changed and I do not mean the landscape. We experienced Saskatchewan weather. A west wind that was so strong that it was difficult to keep the bicycles upright. Riding was a struggle! To the west we saw funny looking clouds with streamers hanging from them. 5 minutes later heavy wind driven rain overtook us. 5 minutes after that it was over.
Now for the dream wind. We have been waiting for the perfect west wind. Today it appeared. Problem was for 70 km today we were heading south. Wouldn't you know it! But those last 18 km from Cadillac to Ponteix were incredible!
Oh the people that we meet! After setting up camp last night we had a lady come to tell us that a storm was predicted. She lived in a trailer in the park and told us that if the weather got too bad we were to come and ring her doorbell. She also asked us if we liked chocolates. Gee what do you think? They were simply amazing! Rival anything Mill Creek can produce! Also 2 guys from the US arrived and set up camp next to us. Me being me, I went over to talk to them. 2 hours later we were still solving all the world's problems, particularly the ones 'created by the US'. They had great stories about growing up close to the Canadian border. You know I could almost change my opinion of Americans if they were more like these guys. They were on their way from Northern Minnesota to a recently built cabin in Alaska. The ability to make fun of oneself I thought was a Canadian thing. These guys were experts at it. You should be 'honourary Canadians'. Thanks guys! Great time! And lastly, the owner of Splitters Bar and Grill in Ponteix. You made us feel welcome, good old time Saskatchewan hospitality!
We are camping in the Ponteix Regional Campground, a small campground, but we are sheltered from the howling wind.
Daily Distance = 93.90 km. Time on the bikes = 6 hours 17 minutes. Average Speed = 14.96 km. Maximum Speed = 47.62 km. Wildlife Sightings = Deer, Pronghorns, Barn Swallows, Brown Thrasher, Cedar Waxwings, Red Headed Woodpecker, Red Headed Duck.
Kevin = 3 Sue = 0.
