August 14
Today I drove from Swift Current, Saskatchewan to Russell, Manitoba. Despite what people say about Saskatchewan, it was actually a more scenic drive than yesterday’s drive from Calgary to Swift Current. That section of Alberta is actually flatter and more desolate than Saskatchewan.
I had planned to detour to check out the historic Claybank brick factory, which looked like good camera fodder, but decided against it when I discovered the road leading there was gravel. I was willing to invest an hour driving on paved roads to go there, but not two on gravel.
So I continued on to Russell, taking the shortcut through the Qu’Appelle Valley (yes, Saskatchewan does have 3D features). Not a whole lot to say about it; another long drive with no real personal significance to me and only short stops to stretch and snack.
On arrival at Russell I just went straight to the Russell Inn, the only good lodging in town. Discovered that they had misunderstood my phone reservation request for a quiet room at the back and instead had me in a noisy room at the front, and that they only had me for one night instead of two because the next day was fully booked. Thankfully a back room was available and later on someone cancelled, so I`m in a quiet room for two nights after all.
Initial impressions: Russell has grown – it now has at least three chain restaurants where before it had none, and the Russell Inn itself is twice as big as it used to be.
Tomorrow I`ll have a better look around town, then head out to the farm and survey the environs there.
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