Over the Fence: Trip to Small Town Saskatchewan!

After our cruise we found ourselves, reluctantly at first, making a business trip to a small town just over the border into Saskatchewan. Peter wasn't sure how much work he could do for a small but growing church on the edge of town that wanted his help with expansion drawings. (Engineers and an Architect who are certified in Saskatchewan have to ultimately put their stamp of approval on the drawings.) He finally agreed to come up with some ideas on paper they could then proceed with.

There we were! It was suddenly time to go and we had no place to stay and a facility for Peter to set up the laptop and be close for extra emergency checks and measurements. Someone in the church graciously allowed us make use of their fifth wheel parked out back so we didn't have to drive an hour northwest or east to stay in a hotel. We didn't realize though just how small the town was when it came to places to eat. But this added to the charm of spending a few days there!

We drove out Thursday afternoon (after a meeting in Stettler) and arrived in time for an evening meeting with the committee for church expansion. Along the way we checked out Wainwright - which we've never done before and I'd always wanted to. We enjoyed the scenery and marvelled how quiet the route was. When you spend a lot of time on the QE II, this is a wonderful change! While Peter was in his meeting I had a heart to heart visit with the project manager's wife (in big comfy chairs in the church nursery)! We've met before briefly a few times, but she shared her years growing up and challenges parenting like we've known one another for years. The building we were in was the congregation through which she came to know the Lord. The hours flew by while we talked!

The next morning we went to the only little restaurant we could find within walking distance of the church and had breakfast. We enjoyed watching gentleman after gentleman walk in and join one another for a morning coffee, maybe toast, and chat. Of the eight sitting and talking, three offered us some more coffee. By the time we left, eleven men and one young lady were all sitting together drinking coffee and visiting. They were the only patrons at that early hour, and us! This was one more inspiration for us to get that holiday trailer we've missed for three summers now and find some more small towns and the commaradarie of farmers waiting for the crops to grow!

Since it was the only eating place in town we had supper there as well plus one more breakfast Saturday morning. The "owner" of the cafe asked Peter on Saturday he wanted his "usual"? He remembered what it was as well. After privately chuckling we realized we really did need to be leaving - when you become one of the "usual" with a favorite on the menu!

Peter was able to present a concept to the committe who once again gathered mid Saturday morning and allow them to dream and plan in a much more constructive manner. They were happy. We were happy. A job well done and an unexpected interlude in the rush of running a construction related business mid summer.

What did we enjoy along the way?

- Being a small blessing to a growing congregation with a heart for community outreach. This passion was evident over and over again throughout the church and the planning needs.

- Being warmly welcomed in a small rural community when we were evidently strangers from "the city". Who else locks their vehicle doors when going into breakfast? The honk of the horn gave it away!

- Falling asleep to the sound of a cow somewhere in the field just behind the church. No vehicles passed by until morning!

- Being tourists on the way home and travelling over route different than on the one we came.

- Seeing a 2000' long (yes!) trestle bridge just west of Wainwright over the Battle River Valley. It was constructed in the early 1900's and still in use today!

- Seeing a CN train pass over the amazingly long trestle bridge!

- Trying out restaurants and cafes sight unseen, whether or not the food is great!

- Finding a couple of country churches not far from Camrose that ask to have their church yard cemetaries explored! Making future weekend plans already that will "take us over the fence".

- Further research into our purchase of a holiday trailer at Nisku. Hmm. Getting closer!

It's nice when trips that you expect to be difficult and you go into them cautiously because of so many unknowns turn out to be a pleasure. We weren't treated like strangers where ever we went. From the shopping in Wainwright to the family cafe in Small Town Saskatchewan!