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I found my cousin Ryan and his family, Melanie, Isabelle and Erik, in the small town of Lefleche. They live in a big old house with a main living floor, a second floor with bedrooms and a 3rd floor attic bedroom. I slept up there and from the windows I could see almost all the way to Alberta. It reminds me of that place we stayed in Orillia Desi.

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The kids were fun, and after they went to bed, we stayed up way too late reconnecting. Ryan has the Beauchamp sense of humour and I laughed a lot. I got along so well with Melanie. She has being involved in a couple of her own miracles and has an attitude that is down to earth and inspirational.  After everyone left for work and school this morning, we just sat and talked. I could have spent much longer. Thanks guys. Be in touch.

The road

The road

The road to Fort Qu’Appelle was straight, although I did pass through a couple of rolling areas where there seemed to be much more cattle. Farmers are out combining their crops and in the bright sun. Saskatchewan is golden.

Tomorrow I will spend most of the day resting and writing and some of it checking out the Qu’Appelle Valley. Annette has been a gracious and thought provoking host. She is a United Church Minister and I think we could have stayed up all night talking if I hadn’t been so tired.

Isabelle and I looking cute. Well, one of us looks cute.

Isabelle and I looking cute. Well, one of us looks cute.

I am facing east and feel the wind from home. I have decided to cut my exploration of Manitoba short and just run for the Ontario border. I still want to keep my daily driving to a minimum so it won’t be too fast. I am taking it slow and easy, like the tortoise, always moving forward. Guess my trip is kind of over for this year…except for the drive.  I still have a few new couchsurfers to meet along the road, so I can’t write it off too fast. Talk soon.