Helen's Home World

Monday, September 12, 2022

The Journey Home - Crossing the Border

We crossed the US border into North Dakota at Emerson, Manitoba. We both got stopped at the border, me because I had apples that US Agriculture had to check and my sister and brother in law because they once had to withdraw their application to enter the US. It did seem a bit strange to cross the border, something we did so easily in the past. US Customs never even asked about COVID, not that we had any symptoms in any case. We got off the inter-state as soon as we could and had an uneventful drive down to the Red River State Recreation Area in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.

The Red River State Rec Area used to be a subdivision but after the flood in 1997, the state bought the land and developed a campground and walking trails. This year the floods were pretty bad and the campground had to delay opening by a month. The sites are huge, most have water and electric and many are a pull thru. The recreation area is also with in walking distance to restaurants, breweries and shops. We walked over to Grand Forks, North Dakota a couple times to go the two dog friendly breweries on that side. We stayed at the Red River Rec area for three days so we had time to get a laundry done before continuing our journey home.

Red River State Recreation Area

Flood Marker

The next stop was Chippewa National Forest on Cass Lake; we were in the Norway Beach Campground Loop. We were here two nights, a really nice chance to rest and relax. There were lots of nice trails between the campground loops so the boys and I did plenty of walks.

Norway Beach Campground, Chippewa Nat'l Forest

Whispering Pines

Cass Lake at Sunset

Cass Lake

While camped at Chippewa, we drove back to Bemidji, Mn, the first city on the Mississippi and alleged birthplace of Paul Bunyon. There was a sculpture tour in the town and we saw some of them while hunting for the brewery; it had moved but the town map hadn't yet been updated. All of the sculptures were for sale and despite the prices many were actually sold.

Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox

This One Goes to II

Nautilus

Bison Monolith

King Norway

Woman in the Wind

The next stop was only for one night in Floodwood, Mn at the municipal campground. It wasn't a bad little campground, we knew when we booked they had no potable water. The campground is located on the St Louis River.

Floodwood Campground

St Louis River

Relaxing at the end of the day.

St Louis River

We would drive straight through Wisconsin with our next stop on the journey being at Lake Gogebic County Park in Michigan for two nights. This campground had no showers and the flush toilets were way at the top of the campground although there were good vault toilets near us. The seagulls really seemed to like the fishing pier. Dogs weren't allowed on the pier; I don't know why not, as it was covered with bird poop. People did swim off of the pier but we didn't go in. Our second day at Lake Gogebic, we took a hike at one of the nearby waterfalls. The trail wasn't very well marked and we kind of lost track of each other for a bit.

Lake Gogebic County Park

Fishing Pier

Little Pod in the Park

Sea Gulls

I'll leave off here and the next post will be the rest of our journey through Michigan.

Sunday, September 4, 2022

The Journey Home - the Prairies

On the first day of the trip back, we were stormed chased; every time we stopped, the storm caught up with us. I got soaked once and sand blasted another time. When we arrived at the campground, we hurriedly set up for the night. I don't think I ever set up so fast; then we went out to dinner at a tavern that proclaimed to be the longest running tavern in southern Saskatchewan. But you know what, the storm dissipated and we had a very nice evening.

Willowbend Campground, Maple Creek, Sask

Jasper Lounge Tavern

The next day we headed to Mossbank, Sask where we would stay at the municipal campground. Many small communities have a campground in Saskatchewan. We were the only ones in the campground that night. I think it was Teddy's favourite campground.

Pit stop for gas

Prairie view

Mossbank Municipal Campground

Old truck

Seniors Residence Mossbank

Our next stop was back to Weyburn, Sask at River Park. We were in different sites than we had on the journey out. The water had receded quite bit and it still seemed like it was a local pastime to drive around the park in the evening.

On the road

Wind Turbines

Weyburn, Sask

Water front campsite

River Park, Weyburn, Sask

The next day we headed to Victoria Park Campground in Souris, Sask. This had to be my least favourite campground, very crowded and noisy. I had booked a full service site but was unable to use the sewer hook up as it was on the wrong side of the trailer and about 20 feet away. It's one thing to have electrical and water on the wrong side but a sewer hook up, I'd never seen that. My sister and brother in law had the site next to me which was the last on the road so at least on their site we had a bit of room. We did have a nice view from their campsite and even saw some deer across the river.

Grain elevator at a gas pit stop

Roadside attraction - North West Mounted Police

Victoria Park, Souris, Sask

Souris is a nice little town and it's claim to fame is the longest pedestrian swing bridge in Canada. That kind of made up for the campground, that and the fact we were only there one night.

Deer across the river from the campsite

Our last stop before crossing the US border was in the municipality of Pembina, Manitoba at La Riviere Campground. This was a nice little campground despite the fact that they made no mention of there not being any potable water. They also said online that you could swim in the river but we didn't like the look of the river so we didn't. We did have a gorgeous sunset the first night. We would be here two nights so that we could use up any fresh food we had and so we would have the time to visit the Nellie McLung houses in the next town over.

La Riviere Campground

Sunset

Little Pod on the Prairie

The next day we drove to Manitou, Manitoba to see the Nellie McLung Houses, get a few groceries and let the dogs have a run at the dog park. The dog park is located near Manitou's municipal campground which didn't look half bad so if you're travelling with dogs it could be a nice option. Nellie McLung was a teacher, an author and social activist. She's one of the Five Famous Five that fought for women's right to vote in Canada.

At the dog park

LaRiviere's mascot

At the nature watch station

I think I'll close off this post here and make our US travels a separate post.

Agility Blessing

May the tunnels not have too much suction,
May the course be fun and fast.
May your dog not stop to say "hello" to the photographers they pass!
May the table not be too slippery,
May the chute house no scary beasts,
May all the yellow parts be touched with one little toe, at least
May the wind be always at your back,
May no bars fall on the ground,
May the A-frame have no stop sign on the top,
May the judge's whistle never sound.
May your dog obey all correct commands,
And ignore the ones that are wrong.
May your heart be light, your feet be sure, and the bond with your dog grow strong.
At the finish line, may great joy abound, regardless of your score,
You have your dog, your dog has you, and who could ask for more?

Written by: PJ Hughes

What is a Title!

Not just a brag, not just a stepping stone to a higher title, not just an adjunct to competitive scores. A Title is a tribute to the dog that bears it, a way to honor that dog, an ultimate memorial. It will remain in the record and in the memory for about as long as anything in this world can remain. Few humans will do as well or better in that regard, and though the dog himself doesn't know or care that his achievements have been noted, a Title says many things in the world of humans, where such things count.

A Title says your dog was intelligent, and adaptable, and good natured. It says that your dog loved you enough to do the things that please you, however crazy they may have sometimes seemed. And a Title says that you loved your dog, that you loved to spend time with him because he was a good dog, and that you believed in him enough to give him yet another chance when he failed, and that in the end your faith was justified.

A Title proves that your dog inspired you to have the special relationship enjoyed by so few, that in the world of disposable creatures, this dog with a Title was greatly loved, and loved greatly in return. And when that dear short life is over, the Title remains as a memorial of the finest kind, the best you can give to a deserving friend, volumes of praise in one small set of initials before or after the name.

A Title is nothing less than love and respect, given and received, permanently recorded.

Written by Sandy Mowery, Wisconsin

The Last Battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

Author Unknown

Beyond the Rainbow

As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,

I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.

I saw a wondrous image then of a place that’s trouble-free,

Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side

Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!

My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new

I wanted to run with them, but I had something left to do.

I needed to reach out to you, and tell you I’m alright

That this place is truly wonderful,

Then a bright Glow pierced the night.

Twas the Glow of many candles shining bright, strong and bold

I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,

We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.

So, whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart,

If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best, an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond, and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first, I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now to a warm and living light.
I want to go, I really do; it's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid, because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that, and hope you'll always know,
That my spirit will be close to you wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me. You know I love you too,
And that's why it's so hard to say goodbye and end this life with you.
So hold me now just one more time and let me hear you say,
Because you care so much for me, you'll let me go today.

I Loved You Best

So this is where we part, My Friend,

And you'll run on, around the bend.

Gone from sight, but not from mind,

new pleasures there you'll surely find.

I will go on; I'll find the strength,

Life measures quality, not its length.

One long embrace before you leave,

Share one last look, before I grieve.

There are others, that much is true,

But they be they, and they aren't you.

And I, fair, impartial, or so I thought,

Will remember well all you've taught.

Your place I'll hold, you will be missed,

The fur I stroked, the nose I kissed.

And as you journey to your final rest,

Take with you this...I loved you best.

-Jim Willis

The Price We Pay

There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who choose to travel in the company of animals.

It is a cycle unlike any other.

To those who have never lived through it's turnings and walked it's rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with the full knowledge it will be broken seems incomprehensible.

Only we know how small price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given.

Suzanne Clother