Day 19 - Oyen to Kindersley

99.6 km - Total so far 1,609.59 km - http://ridewithgps.com/trips/5093420

• We left the campsite at 6:30 this morning hoping to use the WiFi at the Information Center. On the way there we noticed that the A&W at the truck stop had WiFi so we tried there instead. We left 20 minutes later having had breakfast but no success with WiFi. Lesson learned easier to use WiFi at McDonald's than A&W.

• With practically no traffic on Hwy 9, we got to enjoy the bird songs. We came across this huge pond that was full of many varieties of birds. It would have been nice to have a pair of binoculars to get a better look.

Large pond in Alberta just shy of Saskatchewan border

• We took the picture below during one of our 10 minute rest stops. I rest my bike on Hélène's because I carry a water bladder in each of my front panniers and don't want to have them pressed against the ground. In a later post, we will show you all that we carry for hydration. This was not an issue in the Rockies with all the streams and fast running water but it 's critically important in the Prairies given the absence of same. We also changed our riding technique. We now ride for 90 minutes (vice 50 minutes in the Rockies) with a 10 minute break and we rotate every 4 km vice 2 km as there isn't much change in terrain or scenery.

Water stop notice the straight road and the scenery

• We now get excited when there is a curve in the road. I think we had five on the way to Kindersley. Had it not been for the horrible cross wind it would have been a pretty boring ride.

More Alberta scenery along Hwy 9

Saskatchewan border near Alsask

• We could not resist when on Hwy 7 in Saskatchewan we saw this "Point of Interest" sign. We stopped and found a plaque that explained the big rock you see in the picture below, the 'Buffalo Rubbing Stone'. For hundreds of years the stone was used by buffalos to remove excess winter hair and relieve the occasional itch. The prolonged effect of doing this was to actually polish the rock in many places.

Using the buffalo scratching rock...felt real good

• We stopped for lunch in Flaxcombe at this very unassuming little place. We asked what was on the menu (we learned from our Cereal experience) we were told the only thing left was soup. We got a discount because the bowls were only 3/4 full. It was a very tasty homemade BBQ Beef soup. It was simply delicious.

Flaxcombe lunch stop an unexpected surprise

• We came upon the two animals in the picture below resting in the field. We stopped for a picture but the cars immediately following us caused them to rise. They moved away from us about 200 meters and just stood there and staring at us. After taking the picture we pedaled away, and wouldn't you know it, they followed in parallel for a good 500 meter. Curiosity works both ways it seems. We would like to know what kind of animals they are but just don't have the time to do an Internet search...any takers?

Help us identify the critters in the picture

The Prairies are flat...not!

• We need your help in locating a proper tire for Hélène's bicycle. We need a Schwable Marathon Plus Tire 26 in x 1.5. The replacement tire we got in Cochrane is not working out as planned. It would work fine on a city cruising bike but on a fully loaded touring bike as we just can get the pressure high enough. This greatly increases the rolling resistance and makes it more difficult for Hélène to pedal the "flat Prairie roads". You have our route through Saskatchewan so try to find us a bicycle shop that carries that tire. Continental also make touring tires and a Kenda tire for a tandem bicycle would also work. Merci beaucoup.

61.89 miles - Total so far 1,000.15 miles