OK, not really running “back” to Saskatoon but all day yesterday as I headed into town, that old favorite from The Guess Who was playing in my mind. If you want a blast from the past click here  : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xY0HIXt5IME

Again, more prairie

I met Cori, Peter, Aiden, Eliot, and Jacob, ( and Jazz the something/standard poodle) and they welcomed me with open arms. Eliot even gave up his bedroom so I didn’t have to sleep on a couch. Cori is a member of La Leche League and the ACL for Saskatchewan. What fun it is to be a part of an active and growing family for a few days. I arrived on the day before school started and watched in amazement as everyone got ready. Wow! What a big job the night before a new year is.  I don’t remember it being so hecktic….oh wait, yes I do. It’s all coming back to me now.

Mendel Art Gallary and Conservatory

If you know me, you know that I don’t often head downtown in a strange city but a visit to the visitor centre and Cori’s urging, helped me understand that I could have a great day if I did, so Karma, Vincent and I set off for the Mendel Art Gallery. Saskatoon is not a hard city to find your way around and I found everything I wanted and more.

Inside the conservatory

The art gallary was showing something called “Vista’s: Artists of the Pacific Railway.” It was landscapes created by artists who took the train into the mountains in the late 19th and early 20th century. The galleries were filled with mountains. I stood in the middle over whelmed by the grandeur of the panoramas painted by the artists, some on huge canvases, and yet I stood in the middle of the prairie. It was a little schizophrenic.  It send shivers of delight up and down my back.  Whew. Another gallery c0ntained an exhibit exploring the impact of totem poles on popular culture. That was really interesting. Some of the poles I saw last year in Alert Bay and Skidegate were there, scaled down of course.

Kinsman Park merry go round, the best loonie you will ever spend

After I saw the art gallery I walked down to the dock and caught a sight seeing boat.  Saskatoon is beautiful from the river.

The young tour guide told me that while she is attending University in town she is staying with her aunt and uncle who are couchsurfing hosts. Cool. My contacts here were not actually couchsurfers so I didn’t meet her relatives but that is the first time I have met someone who has actually heard of couchsurfing…changing the world, one couch at a time. I was thrilled. There were very few people on the cruise so I had her basically to myself and I had fun. She has encouraged me to visit Eyebrow, Saskatchewan. OOO I want to, but not this year.

My first pelican at the Weir

The Weir, a low damn across the river. Apparently the current running over it is so strong that anything caught in it's grip, can't break free. The splash in the picture is a log, banging and diving against the damn and the current. The whole time I watched it, it could not break out of the down pull and get back into the river. They seriously discourage people from being in the water in that area.

Oh, you know how much I love walking across bridges. This railway/walking bridge was a must.

The steps up. They are those open metal steps. I felt disoriented on the way up and really gripped the railing. It is weird being able to see through the steps. Once up, it was fine and coming down is easy.

The path beside the track.

The view

The weather man called for a cloudy, cool day but it was perfect. I had a relaxing day and got back home in time to enjoy a bit of the afternoon with Cori. I was also there for the first day of school homecoming. It was fun. I will miss this rambunctious house as I head for Lefleche tomorrow to meet my cousin for the first time in maybe 20 years. Talk soon.