Day 21 Outlook to Craik, Saskatchewan

 

73.8 miles, 840 ft ascent, average speed 17.9 mph (wind assisted)

This morning we were told that Connor, our truck/trailer driver and all around wild man had fallen riding his bike, cracked his helmet, and has a concussion.  He was having vision problems, but was told by the local medics that he could drive today.  Bud, the tour director, would not approve Connor to drive, so one of the cyclists is driving today, and the tour director, who is in his mid 80s will fly to Saskatoon, make his own way to our next campsite, and possibly drive the remainder of the tour.  These are crazy times!

I left very late today, as I had walked to a laundromat at the Esso Gas station to wash my clothes.  I rode out by 10:30, once the laundry was done.  I rode sweep today.  Thankfully, the ride was only 72 miles, short compared to the 90+ miles we have often been doing.  While I waited for the clothes to process at the Esso station laundromat, I  sampled some local pastry.  Below was the scene at the local bakery.  The scones at this bakery put those of Panera to shame.  These seniors having coffee and a pastry are undoubtedly members of the Outlook philosophical society.

 

 

A little tour of Outlook where I resisted all local temptations which are legal all across Canada.  From the eatery to the local weedery, where I was old enough to qualify for purchase, but passed on the opportunity.

 

 

 

In small towns, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police sometimes serve as the local gendarmes,  as they do here in Outlook.  I went inside the station, hoping for a photo of a mountie in the famous red uniform, but no joy.  

The two metropolitan cities in Saskatchewan.  We go to Regina tomorrow.

Here in Kenaston, SK, the blizzard capital of Saskatchewan, is my friend, the 18 ft tall Kenaston Snowman, one of the tallest freestanding snowmen in the world and mascot for the proud Kenaston Blizzard Hockey Organization.  This information is not to encourage you to visit Kennaston in the middle of Canada.  Imagine 50 ft snowdrifts here in the winter.  If planning a vacation in Canada, think more of the west coast and the east coast areas where there are more interesting sights.  Now that you have seen the famous Kenaston Snowman, you needn't visit here unless you have other reasons to come. 

 

 

The lone buffalo hunter in Craik looking for a few remaining buffalo well past the mid-point of the 19th century. Apparently buffalo were slaughtered in Canada also.

 

Update on COVID status.  We started the tour with 21 riders.  Three dropped for non-COVID reasons.  Four have tested COVID positive.  That left us with 14 riders.  Those with COVID positive tests are left to fend for themselves.  One of the cyclists who tested positive for COVID in Banff rented a U-haul truck, loaded his bike and gear and drove east on the tour route to catch up.  He didn't sleep with us.  After 5 days, and with COVID symptoms abated, he asked to rejoin the tour, and in gracious democratic fashion, all other cyclists agreed.  Concurrently. another rider developed symptoms, tested positive, and was able to transfer the U-haul to his name and drive ahead, as the first victim had done.  He hopes to lose his symptoms and rejoin in a few days, putting us back at a total of 16 cyclists.  I have given some thought to what action I would take, and I would be happy to adopt the same process as a solution, should the COVID curse befall me.  Perhaps travel insurance would help defray the extra costs, and hopefully, there would be a U-haul dealer in the vicinity.  Otherwise I could consider calling for an Uber XL to a local U-haul establishment.  

That's it for today!  Lots of excitement, not too much in the way of photo opportunities.  Come back tomorrow to learn more about farming in Canada and see what they produce.