DAY 16 - BRANDON - WINDY SASKATCHEWAN IS BEHIND HIM TODAY

Yesterday was another wet, wet day for dad.  He stopped in a tourist booth in Wolseley to get warm.  The new gloves he bought in Regina the day before took a beating.  Jennifer, from Wolseley, tied some plastic bags over dad's gloves to keep the heat in for him even though they were soaked.  Dad gives a big thank you to Jennifer as this worked for a while on his ride.  Dad made it to his planned destination of Whitewood last evening and called warm and dry from the Whitewood Inn.  A BIG THANK YOU to the Whitewood Inn who donated the room and breakfast to dad in support of his ride.

Today is a huge ride from Whitewood to Brandon, approximately 117 miles (186 km).  He will be leaving Saskatchewan and entering Manitoba.  Another province behind him.  Also, a time change as well.  We won't have to worry as late into the evening waiting to hear from him.

DAY 15 - WHITEWOOD

Yesterday was another rainy and windy day.  The winds were still in his face, but not as windy as it was the day before.  Dad stayed in Indian Head last evening.  A little further than originally planned.  The rain does not seem to be affecting dad's spirits, however it has affected his gloves and he had to stop in Regina yesterday to purchase new gloves.  The rain over the last few days destroyed them.

Today dad is heading to Whitewood, Saskatchewan.  I checked the weather and the winds are still a NE, but are not fore casted as high.  Tomorrow the winds are shifting to the West as I checked ahead the next couple of days.  The rain is continuing today as well.

DAY 14 - QU'APPELL, SK

Today dad is off to Qu'Appell in Saskatchewan.  His schedule has changed slightly.  Yesterday he fought high winds and there were times he was standing on his bike just to keep going.  He spent the night is Moose Jaw.

As he had some hard rides the next few days, we altered the schedule by one day.  He was arriving in Brandon, Manitoba Saturday evening and now it will be Sunday evening.  Tonight he is heading to Qu'Appell and tomorrow night Wapella.

I checked the weather and is shows rain and winds, but hopefully, not as high as yesterday.

DAY 13 - REGINA

Dad arrived in Morse last evening.  He called me from the Morse Cafe and he says a BIG SPECIAL THANK YOU to Dave and Linda Fairfield who had let him use their phone, check out the blog, and for their amazing kindness.

Today is a big day for dad.  He is off to Regina which is approximately 108 miles of cycling today.  The weather for the next few days in Saskatchewan is cloudy with showers.  We all know that their definition of showers is different than ours so the next few days could be rides in the rain.  There are not that many towns in Saskatchewan so the next three days are big rides to get to his destinations.  Regina to Whitewood  is another 110 miles and then Whitewood to Brandon is approximately 117 miles.

This is a picture of the railway tracks that run through Morse and stretch as far as the eye can see.

DAY 12 - CHAPLIN, SK

Dad spent the night at the Tompkins Hotel.  The room was donated by the owner of the hotel.  THANK YOU!  Also a big thank you to the restaurant attached to the Co-op who got up this morning and made breakfast for dad before dad headed out at 6 am.  Supper and breakfast were both complimentary - THANK YOU!

It is still quite windy, and he got into Tompkins around 4:30 pm.  Even though he is still fighting the wind he is still making very good time.

Today dad is off to Morse, SK.  This is approximately 25km west of Chaplin.  Russel Metals Regina is taking care of dad's accommodations for the next 3 nights and advised that there is nowhere to stay in Chaplin.  The closest spot is Morse.  Dad is still planning on hitting Regina Thursday evening to keep on schedule, it makes for a 110 mile day tomorrow.

DAY 11 TOMPKINS, SK

This picture is dad leaving Brooks on his way to Medicine Hat Monday morning.

Dad phoned from Red Cliff (stopped at a Tim Horton's) around 4:30 pm last night.  Only 5km left until he hit Medicine Hat.  It was a very windy ride yesterday.  He hit the flats and fought head winds all day.  He arrived in Medicine Hat in great spirits and had great company for dinner last night.  I received an email last night from his hosts who immensely enjoyed conversation with dad and she mentioned that she loves his motto "Hope, Faith, and Attitude".

Dad is off to Tompkins today which is in Saskatchewan.  Another province is now behind him.

DAY 10 (double digits) MEDICINE HAT BOUND

Last night dad arrived in Brooks, Alberta around 5:30 pm.  He stayed with relatives of an employee of Russel Metals Halifax.  They contacted the local media and they showed up.  The reporter met dad at Tim’s and then took him for a photo shoot at Brooks City Hall.

I received an email from his host last night and this is what was said about dad  "Christina your dad is delightful and keeping us entertained! I must go now as I’m missing some of the stories. He’s fed and watered and having a cup of coffee!! We didn’t get the rain and it turned quite sunny this afternoon! He looks amazing and has a wonderful smile that just seems to exemplify who he is!! We feel blessed to have been able to host him!!"

We cannot express our thanks enough to all the hosts along the way!

Today dad is off to Medicine Hat.