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July 12th. - Jenny would like to say that for those of us that are unfamiliar with the blog "thing", to make sure that they click on pictures and then on albums to see the individual pictures in the album. Sat morning saw us leave the forestry campsite near Jaffrey, Alberta just before a cattle drive started - getting stuck behind that would have been a long delay. We passed by a place called "Lonesome", population 1. Early evening we drove into Piapot, Saskatchewan. We had camped there on and off before. The highway site is now abandoned, so we drove down to the tiny community and were saddened to see how the lovely old buildings have been neglected. However, we decided to camp at the old site, but were annoyed to find that an animal bone shard had pierced a tire sidewall. Luckily Pat had brought the necessary plugs and was able to fix it. In south eastern Saskatchewan there were many more new oil pumping rigs operating. July 13th. - Awoke to another sunny day. When trying to get a campsite at Stoughton, Saskatchewan, it was overrun with oil workers. You would have expected the local bar to be going great guns, but when Pat and Jenny stuck their heads around the door for a peek of all the action, all they saw was a table of three and no atmosphere at all. We snuck in to an end campsite where hopefully there will be a minimal charge. Usually prairie towns are free. They are charging the oil workers $300 per month or $15 per night. I'll see how my old couple make out!Poetic interlude by Baron Bear Ted and his two roustabouts:-An oilman I want to be,Working on the lone prairie,Making barrels of money to buy bear honey.To be so rich I'd be called a "dude",But mother said "Don't be so crude". July 14th. - No charge! After covering 557KM today the Ontario border awaits us in the morning. Many mosquitoes and horse flies are drawing blood!July 15th. - Today finds us in Dryden, Northern Ontario. Jenny lived here for six years, so she is spending time with old friends, relaxing. Tonight found us camped next to a golf course. This is probably one course our neighbour Ken has not played. Those crazy golf players are quite friendly though. In the long grass next to the fence by the green, there were dozens of fireflies winking on and off, just like little LED lights.July 16th. - More visiting in the morning and revisiting old haunts. A local man told us about how timber wolves had chased his big dog and had him by his hind leg, however, the man luckily noticed, went out and chased them away. Another time, a wolf pretended to be injured by dragging its rear legs and crying in pain in order to lure the man's dogs out. The minute he stepped outside the wolf ran away. It just shows you how cunning and intelligent wolves can be. Passing the turnoff to Sioux Lookout, reminded Jenny of the three different times she had lived there. Look it up on the map, folks. It's really off in the bush. Saw more turkey vultures today! Since leaving, the clocks have had to be set forward three times so far. Almost reached Thunder Bay, Ontario today.July 17th. - Just east of Thunder Bay is a bronze statue of Terry Fox where he was forced to finish his run across Canada. The road is now called the Courage Highway. ( For our European viewers, please Google for more information - he was a great Canadian hero ). Turning north on highway 11, the traffic came to an abrupt halt. Police were turning vehicles around and sending them back our way. Our hearts sank as we thought the road must be closed, but it turned out to be a funeral gathering and all those turned about cars were part of it. All three of us are becoming extremely frustrated by the mass of black flies, gnats, horse flies, mosquitoes and no-seeums that have plagued us since Winnipeg.An itchy b****y interlude by Mr. Ted:-My bear bottom has been bitten by bugs.They are nothing but a bunch of thugs.There are no evening walksAs Pat and Jenny balks.It's enough to drive me to drugs.Yours Sincerely - Mr. Ted.
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