“There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.” ― Jack Kerouac, On the Road: the Original Scroll

 RIDING MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

We sailed across Saskacthewan on fields of gold and green. Manitoba changed the view.  There were still the long stretches of golden fields but now we dipped and rose into beautiful lush valleys.  Trees became more dense and less scrub.  We rode the wave up to Riding Mountain National Park to one of the prettiest townsites we have seen in a long time.  Clear Lake sat behind the townsite - a giant looking in on the small, but beautiful encampment, built by men.  Louis Riel reminiscing - "My people will sleep for one hundred years, but when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back.".  And isn't true as we can see the influence of our indigenous peoples everywhere.  

Even on this short journey we have taken so far, we can see the beauty, diversity and vastness of this country.  We have sailed along, as if on a waking dream, participants, yet separate in this dream state - as we can't stop and see it all.  But we feel like we are participating in it.  I can feel Louis Riel beside me as we sail over the Red River in our Prairie Schooner "Shirley".