Checkpoint: Maple Creek, Saskatchewan

Mission Control...

This is Eco1...

We have survived the friendly trials, and fine roads of Alberta and have entered Saskatchewan!

We made just over 90 km today to a pleasant cmapground (Eagle Valley Park) and set camp at 1600 hours. A bit disappointing in terms of distance on the flats. The rough chip and tar road surface is slowing us down a bit. We'll have to do better as we projected an average of 130 km/day.

Rough road surface will slow us down, but also the ability to travel on the most direct route - the TransCanada highway - is perhaps a bigger concern. On our study of the roads on our way out from Ontario, we noticed both Saskatchewan and Manitoba had poor quality, rough roads with little or no paved shoulders. We simply cannot ride on gravel as the tires spin.

For long stretches, the TransCanada only has two lanes - one going in either direction. We're legally allowed to go on this highway, but would likely be a hazard. We could either cause a traffic jam or countless anxious moments as transport trucks pass in. Oth directions with a combined speed of 220 km/h.

This wouldn't be such a problem if the prairie provinces had good secondary roads parallel to the #1. They don't seem to, though the #2 in Manitoba seems promising. Then again, if the #1 doesn't have a paved shoulder, is the #2 likely to? Alternate routes cost precious time and eliminate school presentations. These decisions are not taken lightly by the Econauts....

Anyhoo, with a little more daylight time at camp today, I've had a chance to study the nearby wetland which is always fun. I took some photos, Rusty, and plan to do a little post on it coming up.

Swift Current is the next main town along the road - 130 km to the east. Not sure if we can make that by tomorrow, but we can try.

That's all for now, Skipper. Hope all's well back home.

This is Eco1 Out.

-- Major Dude


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