Journey to the Heart

Travelling to the heart of the country was better than I could have ever imagined. I decided before I left that I would keep an open mind about what my journey would be like as I travelled across the flat, vast, “boring” prairies. In fact, it was one of the most spectacular drives I’ve ever done! Ok, let me explain...

Where else can you go in Canada that when you leave someone’s house, you can still see them driving away for hours! Ok, maybe a *slight* exaggeration. But you really can see for hours away and that’s the truth. Golden fields of fresh cut hay, big skies as far as the eye can see, trains you can see from one end to the other as they rolled down the plains, and open fields for miles; Saskatchewan is a pretty special kind of place. The drive was a refreshing break from all the windy roads I’d just come from and allowed me to play through my music list and just drive. 

Sunrise over the prairies. Day 1

This amazed me! The picture doesn’t capture it, but as I was driving down the #1 highway, I was in awe of seeing the entire train from engine to caboose!

Tall shadows in the Prairies.

I hopped off the highway needing to get a closer look at these beautiful golden fields. So I parked the car, ran out into the field, and snapped a few shots before the farmer caught me. But hey, I’d see him coming from miles away;)

I arrived midday on Tuesday to my cousins house after travelling from Winnipeg that morning. Right away I was greeted at the door by three eager kids (and their kitties) who were just dying to see their new guest. It didn't take long before each of them excitedly dragged me into their rooms, slamming the door on the other two eagerly awaiting their turn, while they gave me the grand tour.*How cute* From the start, it was in instant connection on both ends:) What was to follow involved more fun, laughs, and tears than I ever could have imagined! When they begged me to stay “just one more day,” claiming that I was one of the funnest “aunties” EVER (Ha!), I just took one look at all their big beautiful eyes and thought to myself, what’s one more day... 

That extra day was one of the funnest, heartwarming days I’ve had in a very long time. Each one of them opened my heart in a way I never expected and left me loving them more than I could have ever imagined. 

And so, I'm already planning my next trip back to Saskatchewan (next time a little longer Lorie;)) which will include more dance parties, indoor hockey (w/ slap shots to the face by a 5 year old), snowball fights, Foosball tournaments, air hockey games, family dinners, and late night heart to hearts. I miss them all so much already! Boy, did they EVER leave a mark on me, one I’ll never forget as long as I live. 

Nathaniel & Kitty Bear (who calls me Auntie Heaven), Keinin & Mouse, Hailey & Blackie.

Enough snow day 2 in Saskatchewan that shovelling & snowball fights kept us warm.

Winter fun with this crew:)

Even Lula got in on the action. 

...and loves kisses as much as I do.

Hey, what can I say? I turned into a big kid with those munchkins around.

I don’t know a kid who isn’t fascinated by a phone. “Ok, just one more. Now silly faces!”

As I said, those kids stole my heart and I’m still glowing (and tearing up) from my time with them. Back on the road, leaving with a boat load of memories and a piece of my heart that’s left in the heart of the country. 

xoHeather 

Spotify selections were hard to choose here, but the ones that played themselves when entering Saskatchewan I found quite appropriate;)

Tall Tall Shadow-Basia Bulat

Long Gone to Saskatchewan-Corb Lund

And one more Keinin request for our dance parties:) The River-Jordan Feliz