Monthly Archives: October 2018

It is great to be home.  Within the first few days we have been engulfed in mystery – the mystery of birth, marriage and death.

First, we learned of the passing of Dave’s friend Paul.  He had not been well for sometime and it was a blessing that God finally took him home.  His daughter contacted us about her dad’s passing and invited us to attend his interment service in Norway Bay, QC.

Marie and I have fond memories of visiting Paul and going for a ride in his 1932 Chevrolet roadster named Dixie and, in his canoe.  We had brunch at Pine Lodge several times and Paul accompanied Dave on a couple of nostalgic rounds of golf there.  Dave and Paul met more than 10 years ago at the Ottawa Civil War Roundtable and became friends.  In 2009, they journeyed to Gettysburg, PA and toured the Civil War battlefield that Paul loved so much to visit.

Paul was a very interesting character, a lover of history with a photographic memory.  He collected antique gramophone players and musical instruments as well as lovingly restored vintage cars.  The interment ceremony was held in Norway Bay just down the street from where he had lived with his dog Babe. We met several of his family members and friends.  Miss you Paul, rest in peace.

Next we learned the great family news that Elias Blaze Morgan was born on Oct 7, 2018, weighing, 7 lbs. 13 oz.  Thanks to God’s grace, Elias, Ashley and Kyle are all doing well.  We have received a bunch of photos and have done the first of many face chats.  Elias has gorgeous dark eyes, looks like his mother but definitely has the Morgan look to him.  We are so proud and happy!  Congratulations Kyle and Ashley!  Welcome into the world Elias Blaze, you are so loved.  We can’t wait to meet you in person.

(Photos by Gabrielle Touchette Photography, Winnipeg, MB)

Finally we experienced the mystery and beauty of marriage.  Dave’s nephew Nick married Heather in a beautiful ceremony held at Strathmere, just south of Ottawa.  They have a wonderful blended family – 2 boys and 2 girls.  We had a great party with great food and music and wished them well in their new life together.  It was a beautiful thing to see and tears were flowing.  Congratulations Nick and Heather, may you have a long, happy and love filled marriage!

Engulfed in the mystery of birth, marriage and death –  in hope, love and heaven.  We give thanks to God for his great glory, mercy and love in our lives.

Dave and Marie

 

We finished out our Great Plains tour with a return stop in Winnipeg. We played a great scrabble like card game called Quiddler with Ashley’s family, with son Kyle nudging out Ashley`s dad Rick to win. It was great family fun. Thank you Kyle and Ashley for hosting us at this joyous time. We look forward to meeting Baby Morgan soon. All our love!

By the numbers our Great Plains tour:

• 21 days, 10 in the U.S, 11 in Canada
• Ottawa to Winnipeg return by air
• 6025 kms of driving in a rental car
• 5 states: North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana
• 3 provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
• 18 sunny days, 2 rain and 1 dusting of snow
• stayed in 5 Best Westerns, 1 park lodge, 2 other motels, 1 prayer house
• 3 family stays, 2 friend stays/visits
• best attraction Old Faithful
• best wildlife – buffalo in Yellowstone Park
• weight gain – won’t say
• best little town – Cody, WY
• best Canadian experience – Saskatoon
• best all round place – Winnipeg
• most peaceful stay – Qu’Appelle River Valley, SK

A few highlight pics follow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why did we call this the Great Plains tour rather than the Prairies tour?  Because of a remarkable little book by Walter Prescott Webb.  Written in 1931, it tells the interaction of people with the vast central plains of America and into Canada, starting with the Plains Indians, then the Spanish/Mexicans and finally the Americans.  Overcoming relentless geography, the lack of water and very little wood took much technological ingenuity and trial and error in order for colonization to proceed.   The horse was indeed the sacred animal of the west that enabled the progress to happen.  Highly recommend this book to educate about this fascinating piece of our history.

Thanks again for travelling with us.  It`s good to be home again!

Dave and Marie

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our last day in Saskatoon we head out to the Wanuskewin Interpretive Centre. It is a Prairie Cree historical winter camp site that is still being excavated. We learn how to raise a teepee and watch a young man do a traditional hoop dance with 24 hoops. Wow, he manipulates the hoops on the fly to become an eagle or. A buffalo shape. Dave helps raise a teepee until some younger more skilled kids takeover.

We head south of town to visit friends John and Anita. They have a lovely country home and 8 acres of property that keeps them busy. We catch up over a wonderful dinner and make plans to meet on Sanibel Island in future. John and Dave met in university and keep in touch.

We checked with Kyle and Ashley and all is calm on the pre-baby front. We decide to book our flight home a few days hence. There are snow flurries here and more in the forecast.‎ We tour the Cathedral of the Holy Family and marvel at it’s moderness and stained glass beauty. We attend Mass there and laugh as the little ones run up to put a coin in the children’s collection basket. This is a truly butteful Church that we hope to visit again.

Then it’s off to Fort Qu’Appelle and the Oblate House of Prayer there for a night. Our hosts‎ are Tim and Cathy, lay volunteers from Winnipeg. Residents Fr. Glenn and Sister Margaret are ‎away on retreat. We hike the coulees (indented hills) followed by a delicious dinner. Our evening ends with a contemplative prayer service.

We are very thankful for the rest and peace and glad to be returning to Winnipeg tomorrow after a great activity packed road trip.

Thanks Rick and Gaylene, John and Anita and Tim and Cathy for your hospitality and warm welcome.

Dave and Marie