(August 15)
Dear Folks,
Today is a catchup text day. We want to tell you a little about where we physically are now, how we got here, and a few general observations that we find interesting and hope that you will, too.
When you are staying in northern Canada, expect to find a boot tray in your room. It can snow most any time, so people don’t bother removing them in summer months.
The Trans Canada is a collection of provincial roads. They vary in quality. Sometimes you have four lanes: two each way. But that can be expensive. So often you have two lanes with periodic passing lanes.
Until you get into quite urban areas, you do not find the highway interchanges common in the States. You get a notice and sometimes a traffic light. But everything is on the same level. The highway runs right through town.
Highway speeds are not as high as in the States.
As is true in northern states, summer is road work time.
So far, Winnipeg is the largest city that we have driven through. We have been intrigued that people will park on the street: right in the lane of traffic closest to the curb.
Today we were trying to find a particular road. There were a number of options, close together. We hesitated. There was a guy on our bumper, honking. We turned. He kept on us, honking. I said one of my most severe thoughts toward him: I wish you would swallow your teeth. He might have done that, but he kept following and honking. So after a bit, I pulled to the curb and made him pass us. Then we followed as he crawled along. We thought about giving him the same treatment–but that would have been wrong. 😇
We left Saskatoon yesterday very late. Dusty had to go out twice during the night. Then she needed three more trips during the morning. So I fed her sparingly and delayed our departure, hoping that she would be OK in the car.
I bundled the Girls into the back and heard nary a peep. After about six hours, we stopped in Nepawa for gas. The girls had a little walk and everyone toileted. Then we got back into Miracle for the rest of the trip to Winnipeg. We are thrilled to report that there were no mishaps.
Dusty has another day of meds and prescription food. She is doing much better. We all got through the night last night fine.
We are staying in an area of Winnipeg called Fort Garry. It is an area of older homes and shops. There is a bakery that was established in 1932. It is close to things while not being in the heart of the city.
They have a strong security presence at the hotel: security people on every floor. This was true when we came the last time. As was the case then, this is because the Holiday Inn is hosting a large firefighters’ conference. How sad that they would fear being targeted for violence.
We will plan to send more tomorrow.
Hugs and Wags.
The Lowman Family
(August 16)
Dear Folks,
Yesterday we went to the Canadian Museum of Human Rights. It is the first such museum in the world. It is the vision of Israel Asper, a prominent lawyer and media mogul whose parents immigrated to Manitoba from Ukraine. He died suddenly of a heart attack before his vision could become a reality. His family, friends, and foundation made sure that his dream became a reality. The museum stands on Israel Asper Way. The tower, which has magnificent views, is called the Israel Asper Tower of Hope.
The museum can be overwhelming. There is a large staff. They are there to answer question and address concerns. People can be overcome.
We were there for about four hours, including a trip into the gift boutique. We went out before that to find ourselves boxed in by a car that had parked illegally. Right next to us was not a true parking space. But someone had parked there anyway. But there are cameras monitoring the building, including the parking area. We shared our dilemma with the museum staff. They reported it to security, who examined the video footage and tracked down the driver of that other vehicle, and she moved it–and, we hope, she learned something .
This is such an amazing place. It can be hard on the soul and spirit. It tells of human rights abuses, over seven floors. But it also is an affirmation of strength and perseverance. The groups who have been abused are still here. The museum does not sugarcoat what happened. It tells stories from a Canadian perspective, which makes sense. So we learn about Canadian prejudice and antisemitism. We are reminded that the Holocaust targeted not just Jews but also Romany (Gypsies) and people with disabilities–a blight upon a pure race.
Al, there was an exhibit on the Acadians, how they were pressured to take sides during the Revolution. When they refused, they were disbursed, they were forced to leave and migrate across the world. But some returned and have finally achieved some recognition. We are sure that you know all about that. Now others learn that story, too.
Here is a photo of us with Roxanne, whom we met while watching a film about Rwanda. Roxanne was a dog groomer. She says that all dogs love her. Dusty wanted to climb up into her lap. She is from Ontario, originally. She and her husband lived in Alberta for decades. Now they have retired to upper British Columbia. She is on a road trip now with a friend back to Ontario. They are learning lots about each other on this trip–you do when you travel with someone. Roxanne is always early. Her friend is always late. But Roxanne is easygoing.
Bev, Kitty, and Megan, in particular, you would LOVE this museum. We would recommend it, though, to anyone. Bev, this could be a great place to take the social work students. People closer to Winnipeg–Jill, Paula, Lucinda–this would make a great trip.
We had not been to a Walmart in many years–since before the pandemic. But we sought one out yesterday. Canada has a great service dog law. But people’s understanding of service dogs varies widely. They often do not understand that the Girls have been trained to wedge against my back so that I don’t roll onto my back. If I do, I can’t move. So it is a necessary medical intervention. Still, the Girls are dogs and hence hairy. So after an exchange with the hotel in Saskatoon, we decided to buy a sheet to put on top of the bed. You can’t buy just a sheet, though. So we now have a set of the most economical queen size sheets that we could find.
Not sure if it is because Winnipeg is relatively close to the States or if it is part of the Walmart culture–but there was lots of accessible parking.
The picture of Jacqui by Miracle is with Colby Kiss. Isn’t that a neat name? We went to a gas station to fill Miracle’s tank this morning before heading out to Thunder Bay tomorrow. I was using as much elbow grease as I had, trying to get some of the bugs off the windshield. (You meet a lot of bugs driving through the prairie.). Colby pulled in with his girlfriend, Vanessa. It is she who took the photo. Colby is from Winnipeg. He lived in Alberta for a bit. Now they are back in Winnipeg. He is owner and general manager of Prairie Containers and Total Moving. We told him about BEYOND LIMITS and our ethos. We gave him a card so that he could follow our blogs. Vanessa was especially interested in Mari and Dusty. So it was an opportunity to educate a bit about service dogs, as well.
So…long text today, folks, to catch you up. Tomorrow is a travel day. Then our last two travel days (to Kirkland Lake and Drummondville) will be very long. Hard to believe that we will be home in a week. The Girls will be thrilled to have their own, leash-less backyard. We are determined to make the most of the upcoming adventures.
Hugs and Wags.
The Lowman Family
