June 20, 2021
Pleasanter and pleasanter the higher you walk, this mood-enhancing prairie hike is only a half-hour drive from our house. Or almost a three hour bicycle ride, which was Dave's way to celebrate his Father's Day weekend, while I drove our trusty van (we thought) Vanna White to the campground.
There must have been thousands of trees planted here to create all the shady campsites tucked along the South Saskatchewan River, which was reinvented as Lake Diefenbaker in 1967.
Lots of retirees haul big camping rigs with slide-outs in all directions, but I'm drawn to the little ones that look like they might sell tacos or cappuccino at a folk festival. Cute shapes, compact and mobile.
I even saw a few sites with tents, which seem to be a thing of the past in campsites these days. We like our off-the-ground comforts, me too.
The wind was favourable for Dave's return trip home the next day, but alas, shortly after he pedalled across the bridge, Vanna fell ill. She and I pulled out of the campsite and putt putt putt she petered out.
Thank goodness for that CAA card in my purse. I had time for a trip to the ice cream store before the tow truck operator, young and efficient, showed up a few hours later. The VW with my bike still attached, was soon perched safely on the flatbed and on its way to the specialist at Auto One in Swift Current.
Dave sped home with the help of a cooperative north wind, parked his bike, hopped in the car and drove back to the Landing to rescue me (Covid rules prevented me from riding home in the tow truck). He found me enjoying a beer and some sympathy with new friends Dan and Marybeth at a neighbouring campsite.
The van diagnosis is still unknown. We're expecting it may be related to an aging distributor and are optimistic for a quick recovery.
Summer is here. We want to get back on the road. Get Well Soon Vanna White!
