Three pilgrims from the East visit the grave of Gabriel Dumont on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River near Batoche. What insights did they seek? What questions did they ask? What inspirations did they draw from this tranquil, almost spiritual homage? How did they get there in the first place? What's for lunch?
That summer of '75, coast-to-coast (the third coast didn't exist in those days) trip must have been the best "Opportunities for Youth" project ever. A tip of the hat to Tony Difranco for that.
ReplyDeleteI recall that we arrived near Batoche well after lunch so the question was really "what's for dinner?" In fact, Gary and Steve were talking about ordering pizza when the picture was taken. I reminded them that they didn't deliver to Sector Q.
I also recall that after travelling those many miles to see him, Gabe didn't have a word to say. Not even a funny story about Louis Riel or Buffalo Bill. But I think he hung around. Later when we were travelling back through Manitoba, the highway patrol pulled us over to enquire about the oregano we had in the back seat. Things were looking pretty serious until someone flew by and the cops felt compelled to give chase. I am convinced Gabe was at the wheel of the speeding car.
Yes, that was indeed a tense moment. As I recall, the cop told us to find a better spot to stash our dope, then he took off.
ReplyDeletePretty good fear rush though...
The three of you had spent a night or two with us at our farm in Kaministiqua outside the Lakehead, enroute west. Joel was a quite new baby and so was the extension to our A-frame. I still remember that visit being really fine and a lot of fun.
ReplyDelete- Janet