The hydraulic power pack arrived at Prairie Flying Service at noon.

The guys had the unit installed and were swinging the gear in no time. Everything was back to normal and we were able to make plans to continue our journey eastward.

We had driven from Regina to Moose Jaw on the Trans-Canada Highway so I thought it was a good idea to take a different route back to Regina and our hotel. We headed off down the country roads and boy were they ever straight and flat. I was beginning to think that maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

 

By chance, we came across this grain elevator and Valerie recognized it from the CBC television sit-com “Corner Gas”.

We were in Rouleau, SK!

The Dog River Hotel continues to operate as a hotel and restaurant.

The Corner Gas Dog River Hotel was an important part of the series, so significant there is a plaque recognizing this very successful CBC Television series.

We even had a quick stop at the restaurant where an old fellow was sweeping up as he likely has done so for hundreds or thousands of times.

The restaurant is still open for business.

A lot of good times were had at the Howler.

The television set has been torn down but several of the buildings used in production were easily identified. These signs give an idea of what was here and entertained us for several years.

An interesting bit of Canadiana for sure.

Beautiful Canola fields stretching to the horizon in all directions. There certainly is a lot of blue sky and wide open spaces across the Canadian prairies.

We decided to go for a Sunday drive to the west of Regina to visit the small prairie city of Moose Jaw. In the past we had driven across the prairies in other seasons but this was the first time driving in the prairies in the summer when everything was growing. The endless fields of canola was amazing; mile after mile of brilliant yellow.

We had heard from a few people in Regina of an interesting tourist attraction to see in downtown Moose Jaw; the tunnels under the buildings in the downtown area. There are two tours of the tunnels; one is depicting the life of the Chinese migrants working in the laundry business for a white proprietor; the other tour is depicting the life and times of Al Capone during the late 1920s when he was supposedly hiding here during the Prohibition years in the United States. We went on the Al Capone tour; very touristy. Perhaps there is some truth to the story. Take the tour and decide for yourself.

The Royal Canadian Air Force Base Moose Jaw is a few miles to the south of Regina and after a short drive we were at the main gate. The base is home to the Royal Canadian Air Force 431 Air Demonstration Squadron – the Snowbirds. 

Entrance to the base at Moose Jaw

Being a Sunday morning things were pretty quiet at the base and there was no flying activity. While taking a few photos at the entrance to the base a man came by and we started chatting about the base and about our trip across the country with our Canada Flag. It turned out that he is Sergeant J. Weber who is in charge of security at the Guard House at the entrance to the base. He offered to raise our Canada Flag on their flag pole. What a great idea!

I never would have guessed in a hundred years the we would see our flag flying at Moose Jaw. What’s more, is that his folks are from nearby Chilliwack, BC.

Our Canada Flag up the flagpole at the Moose Jaw Guard House

The on-duty Corporal A. Vallieres raised the flag in short order. Another person came by and chatted about the flag and our trip; Company Warrant Officer M. Blain who happened to be driving by. After many years in the military he is retiring and today was his last day on the base. In just a few more days he will be out of the military and back to being a normal citizen. Everyone was so pleasant to talk to and wished us a safe journey. Thank you so much to all of you.

With Sergeant J. Weber and Warrant Officer M. Blain

Moose Jaw is a training base and as such security was at an appropriate level. We were allowed a self-tour of the base so drove around to see what was there.

There is always room for an airplane or two on a pedestal.

Canadair CT-114 Tutor

North American Harvard

Home of the Snowbirds!

This hangar has been the operational headquarters for the Snowbirds for many, many years. When the team is not on the air show circuit you can usually find them here.

Home of the Snowbirds squadron aircraft

Canada has been conducting flight training for many nations since World War II. In conjunction with CAE from Montreal, Canada continues to train many NATO nations’ military pilots under the NATO Flying Training in Canada program. Part of that program is delivered at base Moose Jaw.

Even the provincial highways celebrate the Snowbirds.

 

Time to head home.

The city of Regina has recently build a new facility, Mosaic Stadium, to host the Roughriders and this was only the second game that they have played in the new stadium. There is no parking at the stadium and the city has devised an excellent scheme for transportation. Drive to the local shopping and park your car for free. Hop on the waiting city bus, again free, for a ride directly to the stadium. At the end of the game, buses are again waiting to take you back to the shopping mall and your car. No traffic congestion and all free transportation.

Enthusiasm for the Roughriders runs vey high in Regina. Almost everyone was wearing green to support the home team. Of course, Valerie and I were wearing our Canada 150 shirts and boy did we ever stand out from the crowd. Right nest to the stadium is Centennial Park and we went there for burgers and beer. Live country music was playing, there was a marching band and lots of folks were having a good time.

Game On!

We took a morning drive to explore some of the area north-west of Regina including the communities of Lumsden, Craven, Silton and Saskatchewan Beach.

The little town of Lumsden is perhaps like many little towns on the prairies. People going about their Saturday morning chores and such, and you could smell the aromas from the local smoke house.

Craven is much smaller than Lumsden and is the site of a Country and Western Music Festival in a couple of weeks. I was very impressed on the facilities in place to welcome about 30,000 folks in the campgrounds. I’m sure they must have a great time and make quite an economic impact on the little community.

Silton is even smaller than Craven, just a cross-roads and a handful of buildings.

By the time we reached Saskatchewan Beach it was getting close to noon and we were starting to get hungry. We were in luck! The local plumbing supply company was hosting a free barbeque so we joined the fun. Great burger and friendly people to talk to. One couple we met, Sherri Gybulski and Ron Gates, had a cabin at the lake and told us the background for the free barbeque. With the significant rainfall and high water levels for the past few years there has been considerable erosion on the shoreline resulting in many property owners loosing their docks, their foreshore and some their buildings. The local community officials required everyone to convert from the supplied natural gas line to propane. Hence, the free barbeque provided by the local plumbing company. Free enterprise in action.

As an extra item, Sherri and Ron are going to the football game this evening and they also know the Minister, Ken Cheveldayoff, whom we met on Wednesday, and further more, Ken has seats at the stadium very close to Sherri and Ron. Small world.

The hydraulic pressure switch arrived and was promptly installed. Well, the problem was partially fixed and the new switch worked better than the old one. The real culprit was the hydraulic power pack not producing enough pressure. The guys ordered the replacement and now expect the part to arrival Monday morning.

Now we look forward to unexpectedly spending the weekend here and really seeing Regina and the area.

 

We had a good flight from Parkland, AB to Regina, SK. However, on the arrival to Regina there was an issue with the indications for the landing gear. The system seemed to be running OK, but not quite. An early morning visit to Prairie Flying Service had the aircraft up on jacks in short order.

 The system was checked and parts were ordered and should arrive in a day or two. So, we had an opportunity to see some of the sights in Regina.

RCMP Depot

I had arranged for a meeting at the RCMP Depot in Regina. That’s where all  RCMP basic training takes place, and other special training as well. Caroline Nadeau, their Media Relations person, met us along with a very smart looking constable in Red Serge. They gave us a tour of the facility and we had a few photo-ops along the way.

 

 

We departed early, for us, from Parkland Airport and headed to Regina, Saskatchewan. We flew right over the Edmonton International Airport then it was up to cruise altitude at 15,000 feet for a good flight with a 30 knot tailwind.

Our afternoon appointment in Regina at the Saskatchewan Legislature was to meet the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sports, the Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff.

Saskatchewan Legislature Building with the Honourable Ken Cheveldayoff, the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sports, . Photos were taken on the steps of the Legislature then the Minister gave us a private tour of the Chamber and the Premier’s office.

Saskatchewan Legislature Building 

The Alberta Legislature building in Edmonton is built along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River.  My cousin, Jack, was hosting our visit in Edmonton and he came along with us to help with the Canada Flag on the steps of the legislature. I don’t see Jack too often but when we do get together it is always nice to hear how our families are doing, and now also the grand children.

We needed a photographer and noticed a young couple in the area. He accepted the challenge and our photo was taken by Jacob. It turns out his girlfriend was from Hamilton.

Quite elaborate on the interior design with lots of marble and ornate decorations.

Several young families were visiting and it was nice to see them with the young children being introduced to the government in a friendly way. The children will not likely remember the details of the visit but may later recall that it was a good thing to do.

Many cities have various kinds of “water features” in the downtown area and are usually only for show. Edmonton allows people to enjoy the water in the reflection pool in front of the Legislature. The water appeared to be only knee deep so there was very little risk involved. The tree lined boulevard was surely welcomed by everyone on this hot summer day.

Friendly security was helpful and this fellow really seemed to enjoy being able to offer information and suggestions to all the folks that came by.

Oil, oil, oil; synonymous with Alberta. The oil industry in Alberta really began in 1947 with the discovery of oil at drill site Leduc #1. That well changed forever the economic and social development of Alberta.