Hooray, in Winnipeg, Canada in the Province of Manitoba, where my only uncle, Uncle Mike, was born! What an adventure SD through ND, thru border showing my passport and chatting with agent, who suggested I stop at Visitors Center 1/2 mile in. Bless you young man, for I was able to exchange US$ for Canadian at no charge with exchange rate of $1US=$1.23CA, got location of Winnipeg celebration, got to view some historical exhibits, was given a map/pin/campground locations, got information on where to get the entrance card allowing me free admission to all of Canada’s National Parks (In celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary, all are given free entrance to their Natl Parks-so if you’ve wanted to go to Canada’s Natl Parks, this would be a wallet-friendly time for it, right?) I am so grateful for my Prius having a button to push for speed from mph to km/hr since Canada posts km/hr; so 110 km/hr is easy, especially with cruise control, too.
I was awake and ready to go by 5:30. Got McD decaf and egg mcmuffin with a little Wifi and headed out. It was raining as I drove through North Dakota and I got sleepy around 11am. So, I pulled into a McD’s to take a nap and had a very curious dream which I am still processing. As I exited and headed towards I29, there was a bank with ATM, so I could get some cash out for my Canada to Alaska adventure. When I stayed at Super 8 on Thursday, I caught parts of the movie, Forest Gump, and today I realized that my driving everywhere is similar to Forest’s running! He just ran and I just drive! ND’s town of Drayton is the Catfish Capital of the North-bet you didn’t know that. A billboard sign in Pembina County reads simply, Be Kind; I love it-what a different world this would be if all people followed that admonition. Before I crossed the border, I turned off my two other phones, since Verizon’s best deal to use my old phone was $5/day each time I used it and my android plan with Totally Wireless has no Canada option. Using the iPhone my daughter gave me, and my son-in-law kindly set the phone up for me with unlimited everything for $44/month with AT&T, so I can use the GPS/maps app on IPhone to get around. And, I can use it to find out if Costco was open in Winnipeg-yes, I finally joined Costco primarily because every Costco has nitrogen for tires and I have had great difficulty finding nitrogen. Sky was beautiful as I entered Canada and temperature around 70. Many things named after saints I’ve never heard of – Adolph, Norbert, Vital. I’m sure there will be more saints I’ve never heard of before. Parking angels found me a great spot and it’s time I headed to the celebration. Happy Canada Day!
Now Is Heaven 
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