HERITAGE HIGHWAY (AND HUB CAP)

Writing this on the morning after a long day's drive into the night. Signs saying "Motel" in the distance turned out to be either long-closed or converted to dog kennels! The Rockies are only in our memories and our rear-view mirror now as we cross the plains of Alberta into Saskatchewan. You can tell there's been rain here --- flowers pop up in unusual places, and the dragonflies are the size of Cessna's.

There are two places en route that are dear to my increasing affection for my Ukranian-Polish-Byelorussian heritage. The first is in Vegreville Alberta, home to the world's largest pysanka , the iconic Ukranian Easter egg. My dad never got this far west but I feel such a strong bond with all the courageous and incredibly determined people like him that made this country.

Then miles of the expected cattle, grain elevators, young entrepreneurs.  Surprise --- a field of canola that mirrors the exact gold and green of Saskatchewan's flag --- look it up!

In Saskatoon, Heart Heritage #2 awaits. My dearly departed sister Ollie was born here, joining my grandfather's brood before they left for Windsor so long ago. What grief and travails awaited them. In memoriam, her name is inscribed in the TransCanada Trail pavilion. Find "Murphy Family" and you'll see her, the wind beneath their wings.

After so much nostalgia and contemplation, it was good to have a laugh. Remember that hubcap I found on a deserted mountain road the other day? We passed the '52 Chevy it came from --- the guy is still looking! So we got out of town fast but didn't settle in til a campground in Indian Head. Where?? Many of you Canadian TV-viewers will recognize it. Stay tuned til the next episode....