6/6    Another slow start, my wireless mouse died; found a Best Buy and bought a replacement. Left Saskatoon around 11:30 heading towards Edmonton. The prairie winds were fierce and dropped our gas mileage down to less than 10 mpg, our average had been 13 -14. The countryside is very dry, quite a change from Minnesota and North Dakota. Camped at the Elk’s campground in Vegreville, AB. The Vegreville area was settled by Ukrainian immigrants in the early 20th century and the Elk’s park displays plaques and artwork  including a large decorated Easter egg or pysanka which was constructed using more than 3000 aluminum panels.

Vegreville’s-Pynsanka

Tribute to Settlers

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6/5    While we were waiting around to get our Rogers hotspot we decided to go to the Wanuskewin Heritage Park ( Wanushewin is Cree, meaning “being at peace with oneself”) . This park, in the Opimihaw Creek valley, was used by the First Nation people of the Northern Plains for more than 6000 yrs as a meeting place, a shelter from harsh winter winds ( the valley is perhaps 100′ deep and 600 – 1000′ wide which created an exceptionally good wind shelter and walking along it gave us a feeling of comfort and safety), and a buffalo killing ground (the buffalo were stampeded off cliffs and fell to the valley floor). The park has been the site of the longest Canadian archaeological dig, led by Dr Ernie Walker since 1984. We talked with Dr. Walker, while he was supervising a dig by his students; he allowed us to handle several artifacts found earlier in the day. One, a 4000 yr old spear point was incredible – it was so delicate in appearance and yet quite robust; it beautifully showcased the precision and skill of the ancient craftsman.

Wanuskewin First Nation Buffalo Hunter

Cree Dancer

Cree Dancer in action