CCCT 2012 - June 23/12 - Day 35

Cross Canada Cycling Tour - Saturday, June 23, 2012 - Day 35
Chaplin to Caronport, SK. Trip 65.15 kms Time 3 hrs 53 mins Max 40.5 kph
I woke up several times during the night because of the train horn blast at 2 crossings, animals fighting, highway traffic noise, etc. Neither of us heard my wrist watch alarm go off at 6:00 AM! but we were up at 6:05 just the same. We had yogurt, banana and a small carrot muffin for breakfast.  We finished packing our gear and tent after using the restaurant facilities. We stopped at the gas station convenience store for water and Gatorade before setting off for CARONPORT at 7:40 AM.

Sam and his Flame Thrower

Striped squirrel at bird feeder

Ben, Erika, Eva, Ida-Marie and Sam

At times there was no paved shoulder, other times it was quite rough. There were no facilities on the highway between Chaplin and Caronport. We did see a sign for a picnic Table at 2 KM. I said to Bev that that would be our next stop. We next saw a sign for a picnic Table with CLOSED under it. We both thought this was hilarious. How can you CLOSE a picnic table!!! Not much to see except rolling hills and the occasional duck pond. We stopped several times to give our hands and butts a break and to have snacks. 
We arrived in Caronport at Sam and Erika's at noon. I rang the door bell. There was no answer! I went around the back and found Sam catching a few ZZZs on the rear deck lounger. Erika was having a shower. We unloaded our gear and put our bikes away in the garage. We had a cold drink on the rear deck while watching a great variety of birds come to the bird feeders including some squirrels with stripes on their backs. Erika fed us lunch. A nice turkey noodle casserole with a spinach and strawberry salad. We chatted for awhile, showered and got our laundry started before going for a walk around the village. It was quite hot and sunny. The kids were playing under the sprinklers at the new water park. Sam showed us around the college where he worked as a pastor youth councilor. We returned to the house for a cold beer before Sam fired up the BBQ and grilled some very tasty hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids. Erika prepared coleslaw, potato salad and the toppings for our burgers. 
Ida-Marie (Sam and Erika's daughter) came over with her 2 children Eva (6) and Ben (2). We had a lovely dinner out on the rear deck. While playing, Eva lost her front tooth, which was quite loose, in the grass. Ida, Eva and Ben were all down on their hands and knees looking for it. Luckily it was found thus avoiding a "Tooth Fairy" disaster. Erika also had some Saskatoon Berry pie with frozen yogurt for dessert. 
After dinner, we all gathered out in front of the house so I could take some "family" photos. I went off to pack my things to prepare for an early morning departure. Bev played cards before coming down to do her packing. I got her to put some "After Bite" on the bites on my back. She checked her e-mail and we were soon off to bed at 10:30 PM.
Bev and Roly