July 12 & 13 - Kindersley, Rosetown, & Outlook, SK

We arrived at the Kindersley Library early enough to check our email before starting our walk, and the librarian came over to chat. Marilyn had noticed my white cane as we came into the library and wanted to know if I used an audible program for my computer. We also discussed the audible books that were available through the CNIB Library. Marilyn knew of a couple of people in Kindersley who used this library service. I also learned that there was a fairly active support group in town for people with vision difficulties. I know that I would like to come back for a longer visit some day.

My white cane was also visible when we walked through the downtown area. Several people greeted us with a friendly hello, and one youngster who was playing in his front yard, called out to ask me whether or not I could see.

In Rosetown, I chose to use my older white cane – partly because I knew we were going to walk on a gravel trail and partly because it had rained fairly heavily the night before. The old cane was a good choice.  My cane stuck in the gravel almost continuously and I found myself lifting and tapping instead of the roller sweeping that I am used to. When we reached the sidewalk area closer to town, the rain of the previous night had washed gravel, dirt and mud into the sloping driveways and again I found my cane pushing into the debris. There were so many tree branches hanging over across the sidewalk, that in the end, Lyle walked me out onto the road.

Outlook was our last walk in Saskatchewan. And what a great way to finish. If you haven’t already done so, I do recommend a visit to this prairie town. We began the afternoon with a tour of the Outlook Museum. It was fascinating and I appreciated the opportunity for a close up view of the various exhibits. My sight wasn’t good enough to count the number of salt and pepper shakers in one of the display cases, but there were many and many more!

After a chat with Derek from the local newspaper, Lyle and I set off down the path leading to the Skytrail Bridge. The trail was excellent – paved, wide and with no encroaching tree roots or branches. When we reached the bridge over the South Saskatchewan River, the view was spectacular.  This rail bridge was built in 1911 and the last train crossed in 1987.  The bridge was then converted into a pedestrian walkway and is now the longest pedestrian bridge in Canada. The open space of the prairies often gives me the impression that I can see. I can’t see detail, but when the sky stretches out for 180 degrees in front of me, I know that I see something. Lyle and I both enjoyed this walk as one of the most impressive in our journey so far. Thanks to Maureen for suggesting this route to me.

I must also thank Boyd Jones, service manager from John Deere Farm Machinery. Lyle and I had been having some trouble with a short in the wiring to the electric step on our motorhome.  Boyd kindly took care of us ever so promptly. He pulled a mechanic out of the shop who replaced a short length of wire. Boyd then cheerfully wished us well on our grand adventure. His good nature certainly left us with a good feel for the town of Outlook. 

The pictures below show me on the Skytrail Bridge. I am standing on the bridge 156 feet above the river.