Situated along the banks of the lazy South Saskatchewan River, the farm is an attraction for lovers of Saskatoon Berries. This unique berry is famous in the area, and this farm has created a thriving business around the berry.
Lunch on the deck was a Creamy Mushroom and Cheese Chowder, served with warm rolls fresh from the oven. Of course, we had to finish with a slice of their famous Saskatoon Berry pie!
A walk along the river led us to the rows of berry plants. This berry is a little different in that it is not sweet. The pies made with it are packed with berries, but need a bit of ice cream or a cup of coffee to help out with the heavy filling.
A nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon, for sure! When we returned to the motorhome, we noticed some rather ominous clouds off to the west.
As we watched, the clouds began to change into more interesting shapes.
And just when we thought that we were going to escape the T-Storm, the clouds opened up!
And as quickly as it started, the storm was gone! In the midst of it, however, the wind blew a gale, we had golf ball hail for 15 minutes or so, and the entire rv park became a lake. Yes, those are raindrops on the windshield!
Today, Monday, the 31st, we decided to visit the first and second most visited attractions in Sask. We started at The Weir.
Built in 1939 as a make-work project to maintain a constant water supply for the city's water plant. It has been since superseded, but still is an interesting sight, as well as a favorite fishing spot for fishermen and American Pelicans alike.
Looking upriver toward downtown, notice the island. This has been formed slowly since the construction of the weir, and continues to grow with sand and silt washed down from the south. The island is home to hundreds of migratory birds in the season.
Spanning the South Saskatoon River a short distance downstream of the weir is a railroad bridge. There is a narrow walking path along the side of the shiny tracks (that still appear to be in use). Since the walkway is only a few feet from the tracks, we imagine that getting caught in the middle when a train went by would be exciting!
The most visited attraction in Saskatoon is the Museum of Western Development. This museum is devoted to the period when westward expansion settled the prairie, about 1880 to 1910 or so. A recreation of a 1910 town allows a visitor to peek into hardware stores, livery stables, auto repair shops and banks.
The bicycle/auto/motorcycle repair shop displays a 1915 Indian Big Twin motorcycle as well as a (year unknown) Hupmobile. It' said this motorcycle could get to 60 miles per hour in 30 seconds!
A huge display of early farm equipment is housed in the museum. From small stationary engines designed to run washing machines to huge machines that burned 5,000 pounds of coal a day and weighed 53,000 pounds, like this American-Abell Steam Traction Engine, built in 1911.
Row upon row of farm equipment is on display.
Including this interesting machine imported from England.
SaskPower has provided a detailed exhibit the follows a pioneering family from their arrival in the prairie in the 1890's to the present day. The middle of Canada wasn't available for settlement until the late 19th century and early 20th century due to the length treaty talks with the First Peoples. Both the east and west coasts were settled long before Saskatchewan, and the two coasts were connected by the railroad, which made it somewhat easier to reach the fertile prairie land. A program giving 160 acres of surveyed land to anyone who would "prove" it (build a dwelling, cultivate and grow crops, etc.) was available during these times, and thousands of immigrants came from England, the Ukraine, Sweden, Germany and Iceland. Most built sod houses at first, and gradually made the prairie productive. Generations survived the Dustbowl days of the '30s and the depression that followed; they went to war in 1915 and 1941; and they prospered in the '50s. Modern farmers have adapted to Corporation farming with huge operations unimaginable to their grandparents. The exhibit is fascinating and we spent several hours there.
A final "drive" around town concluded our visit to this interesting museum!
We're out of Saskatoon tomorrow, hopefully before the predicted rain starts. The wind is gradually increasing, and it's getting cloudy, so we may be driving down a dirt road in the rain!
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