Here a Moose, There a Moose......

First up --- "Moose Lake", Manitoba --

at the southeasternmost corner of the province, right next to both Ontario and Minnesota. In other words: the best d*&*#ed variety of bugs & flying critters that anyone could ever hope to encounter! From mega-moosequitos to flesh-eating-blackflies, we've got the holes in our legs to prove it!

My cousin's husband's family (otherwise known as "the relatives of Dick Shaney") have a beautiful cabin on ultra-peaceful Moose Lake, nestled among trembling populars & white pine, and we were fortunate enough to squeeze ol' Shaggy right in next to their toolshed for a few days of Manitoba-style "lake life" (until the eager Park Rangers told us that we couldn't actually camp in their driveway but... that's a whole other story....)

The first few days we were battered senseless by the kind of thickly intense and humid heat that can only be produced within the abusive Canadian Shield. The heat, accompanied by venomous insects, forced us all to drink the only known Praire antidote: mas cervezas.

Even the kids were drinking beers -- Moosehead, of course... Luckily, this particular prescription to ward off evil bugs & weather ALSO effectively quietened the kids (see picture of passed-out child below--- what luck!!)

We stalwart adults, however, found some energy to do such things as swim & canoe & such (between beers)...

If this d*&%med bad internet connection lasts, I might post Tim's newest movie documentary called "Moose Canoes" at my movie site (listed at top right of this page)...

SO relaxing was our time at Moose Lake that Tim even began to....

READ!! (not kidding)...

then again, who could resist reading when there were approximately 5000 magazines to choose from (Thanks Joan!!)

Next "Moose" stop was --- Moosomin, Saskatchewan --- where Tim's Aunt & Uncle have a large & lovely farm (which became our own private campground for a few days!... that's Shaggy, hidden behind the red tractor...)

I was in particular dreamland there because...

1) there were Purple Martin birdhouses all over the property & I was able to watch these crazy dive-bombing bugeaters defend their young while I tried to approach their nests and....

2) Tim's cousin has a huge Elk Farm just down the road and we got a great tour of his operation. It's been good for us to see all these working farms to help us sorta decide whether we'd like to go WWOOFing within the next few years.... it does seem like something we'd enjoy doing...

Next "farm stop" is Sundry, Alberta where Tim's sister has 150 acres of horses & praire & big sky &.... more to come!