CRVA 50th Day 7 – Cold & Rainy Prairie Roads and Familiar Faces
June 23rd, 2025
I started my morning saying goodbye to Michael, the owner of the beautiful Tiffin Phaeton I’d parked beside at KOA West Winnipeg. After our great chat yesterday, it felt like parting ways with an old friend. I’m sure our paths will cross again—because that’s just how the RV lifestyle works.
As I pulled out, the rain began. Not ideal driving weather, but I wasn’t complaining. This part of Manitoba has been facing extreme drought conditions, and any rainfall is a huge blessing and so badly needed. According to a recent update from the Province, over 40 municipalities have declared a state of agricultural emergency due to prolonged dryness and heat. The total area burned in the province is more than 902,000 hectares (ha), which is devastating.
Feeling the impact—campgrounds, RV dealers, and campers themselves are all affected when conditions like these persist. Fire Pit bans, water restrictions, and dried-out landscapes can change travel plans quickly. For many of our friends and colleagues in the RV and camping industry, this weather has real consequences, so even though the rain made for a slow drive, I was grateful to see it fall, and I hope the area gets a good soaking.
Leaving Winnipeg behind, the scenery flattened quickly—true Canadian Prairie Country. Massive fields stretched in every direction, punctuated by large farm equipment dealers and agriculture manufacturing plants like Simplot and Nutrien that are along the Trans Canada Highway. At exactly 12:56 p.m. CST, I crossed the border from Manitoba into Saskatchewan—another milestone ticked off. That was short. It took me 4 days to get out of Ontario!
When I left this morning, I wasn’t sure how far I’d drive. I knew I needed to be in Calgary by Wednesday, but today was more about the journey and what I would be comfortable doing. I kept thinking about something John and Judy (from ORVO) said back to me in Thunder Bay: “We don’t make for sure plans. We go and stay as long as we feel like it, then move on to the next destination.” They’re retired and living that true RV freedom, and I admit—I’m more than a little envious.
I ended up settling in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan—roughly 600 km later. That may sound like a long day, but when the scenery keeps changing outside your front window, time flies. I did make a point to stop every 90 minutes or so for a stretch and a break, which are essential on days like this.
I checked into the KOA in Moose Jaw, which recently became their newest franchise. You could tell they’re still getting settled in—stocking shelves in the camp store, making small updates—but it had everything I needed, including a great surprise.
As I pulled into my #10 site, I spotted a familiar unit just two sites over: another General Coach Reward, just like mine, but the 31-foot model. And who should it belong to but Anthony and Patricia from Kleentank! Dawna and I had just seen them at the ORVO Rally in May, and I thought that was their RV, but they were driving a different truck this time. They are on their way back home from BC… and I was heading in the opposite direction. Same campground. Same night. Almost next door. What are the chances? Life on the road really does make the world feel small sometimes!
Anthony and Patricia have the only franchise in Canada, (50 or so in the US), and their work to provide education and services on your holding tanks to keep you healthy in your travels is critically important.
It was cold and rainy tonight (about 10 degrees), so we couldn’t sit around and talk long around a campfire tonight, but it was still a pleasure to see them again—if only briefly.
My morning tomorrow starts with a Zoom call—one of the many reminders that you can stay connected and work, even miles away from home. After that ends, I’m back on the road and heading west toward Calgary. I’ve stopped trying to guess what the next day will hold for me, because the road traveling in this RV for the past week has been full of great surprises!
And as I continue this journey, I’m reminded that not everyone gets the chance to explore the outdoors so freely. That’s why we’re raising funds for Care Camps, to help kids with cancer experience the healing power of nature. If you haven’t yet, please consider buying a ticket.
Every dollar you are able to donate helps send a child to camp. AND, you get a chance to win this great RV!
Sincerely,
Shane
