Eastern Saskatchewan

My next stop was Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (most likely named by indigenous people after the local creek who's shape resembled the outline of a moose's jawbone.) I visited the Western Development Museum, which has displays of mostly modes of transportation (cars, boats, planes, trains, snow mobiles, etc.) and how they evolved through the years. 

A very early RV.

Snowbird acrobatic team training aircraft.

Next up was Regina, Saskatchewan, for the primary purpose of visiting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police  (RCMP) Depot or training center. Every member of the RCMP attends the Depot in order to receive their training in policing. From there they are deployed anywhere in the country to begin their careers. I have always loved the red coats and their musical ride. My favorite piece of currency had been the Canadian $50 bill with the picture of the musical ride on the back. For those of you who may be unfamiliar:

I enjoyed my visit at The Depot, 

including touring the museum, which was designed in the shape of the RCMP's iconic hats:

and watching the new recruits parade around the grounds. 

As one would expect, the training is done in quite a militaristic way. The recruits earn parts of their uniform as they progress through the training program, from running shoes to riding boots, tee shirts to red coats. Though they don't all have to be willing to take to the back of a horse anymore, but they all need to be able to play a musical instrument. 

To break up the journey between Regina and Winnipeg, I stopped in Grenfell, Saskatchewan.  I picked Grenfell because they had a campground that was supposedly open, that I was able to book online. Unfortunately, when I arrived shortly after 5:00, the only thing that was open was the gate. There was no water or power turned on at the site I had reserved. Additionally, access to the washrooms and showers for the campers, in the adjacent arena complex, were locked as well. At this point I really needed a campground with power available because my on board batteries were getting depleted due to several nights in a row without being fully recharged. I need the batteries to run my water pump, washroom exhaust fan, 12 volt lighting, CPAP machine, thermostat and furnace fan when needed, and in this instance it was needed because the nights were still cold!  I managed to find the circuit breaker for my site in the main power distribution box, which thankfully was unlocked. 

After sorting out the power matters, I headed into town for a bite of dinner. All the locals I encountered were quite nice. I settled on a one of the two Chinese restaurants in town. I prefer more authentic Chinese food but the meal was fine, a good sized portion for a reasonable price, prepared fresh, arrived quickly and was piping hot:

After dinner I was seeking out Saskatoon Berry Pie for desert. I realized this was my last night in Saskatchewan and I hadn't yet tasted their berries. I knew they weren't in season yet, but I thought they would have been more readily available then they proved to be. Neither the bakery or diner in town had any baked goods with the berries in them. The best advice I got was to go to the Co-op grocery store in the morning and they may have some in the freezer section and then I could do with them what I choose.

The following morning I switched it off the electricity and I was able to reach someone in the city office responsible for the campground. They said they didn't really open until the May 24th weekend and that the website had recently been opened to start taking reservations for then and the rest of the summer. They need to learn to block off the dates for possible reservations when they don't really want people camping there. I ended up getting a refund for my stay.
On my way out of town I was able to pick up two bags of frozen Saskatoon berries. Mission accomplished.