When we were at the sand dunes my DSLR camera stopped – just stopped. I have upgraded and passed on my old cameras but never due to any malfunction. I was dumbfounded. What to do now? I grudgingly started using my IPhone and small point and shoot camera. That was very unsatisfactory but I did get some photos. Ralph says the withdrawal symptoms were not nice.
I have used Sony cameras for years and really like their product. I contacted Sony service centre and we tried a few ideas but when the camera did not turn on there were not many options. When we moved from the townhouse I mistakenly kept the wrong invoice for the camera so I have to search for it to see if I have warranty. Even with warranty I would be without my camera for a few weeks.
Our next destination was Watrous, SK near Little Manitou Lake, the “Dead Sea of Canada”. Yes, it compares to the Dead Sea in saltiness and minerals. Over the last few years the rain has increased the water level in the lake and flooded the community of Manitou Beach. Dikes have not been adequate to contain the rising lake.
The gazebo, playground equipment and picnic tables are surrounded by water.
The hotel has a spa and swimming pool with water pumped in from the lake. We finally tried out our 6 month old bathing suits. You really cannot sink in the water. When sitting on the ledge underwater your body floats upward unless you intentionally hold it down.
We took a laundry and housecleaning day but the rain continued so we headed for Regina.
Our first stop was London Drugs where I have always had excellent service and camera information. Over a 24 hour period we spent several hours reviewing the current cameras at London Drugs and a local camera shop. Our heads were spinning with information and choices. We finally choose a Sony A58 camera and life was back to normal.
Our trip to Regina was planned around the Saskatchewan Roughriders pre-season game against Edmonton. Ralph was born in Saskatchewan; therefore, he will always cheer for the Roughriders. Edmonton won 19 to 14 but being at a home game is what mattered to Ralph.
We were covered with green ponchos in and under the stadium. It is old and leaky. The new one will be very welcome.
In Regina we connected with our grandson Joey and visited the RCMP Heritage Centre. The story of Canada’s police force is well described and ties in with our visit to Fort Walsh in Cypress Hills. Ralph was especially intrigued with the Bombardier snowmobile used by the RCMP in the north AND at the Columbia Icefield to carry tourists onto the Icefield in the 1960s where we first met.
The RCMP has used many modes of transportation over the years.
One display takes you through a real crime scene. There are several clues and different technologies to utilize and try to identify the killer. Each clue has several scenarios and we worked together to find the answers. We won’t take up detective work any time soon!
We also took Joey to The Tunnels in Moose Jaw. They were constructed as part of the heating system of boilers underneath downtown Moose Jaw. No photography is allowed in the Tunnels.
The tour about the Chinese immigrants in the tunnels would have been interesting except the tour guide spoke far too fast to keep up with the information.
In today’s world it is difficult to understand the attitude towards the Chinese that forced them to live their lives underground in order to avoid the prejudice of the community.
The tour about Al Capone was presented as if the group were rumrunners. It was inter-active and some tour members were assigned duties such as might have happened during prohibition in the 1920s. We were taken through the tunnels as if we were Mr. Capone's customers coming to purchase his liquor.
Overall we were all disappointed with the tours. One was presented too quickly and the Capone tour had very little actual history. We don’t know which tunnels were original, how long they were used by the Chinese and Al Capone, how extensive they are or how many tunnels remain today.
Moose Jaw is home to “Mac” the world’s largest moose.
It is also home of the 431 squadron known as the “Snowbirds”.
Cool! Love the moose.
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