August 21 - Sudbury, ON

Odometer 21834.3

We stayed about 125 miles west of Sault Ste. Marie, and heading there we were traveling between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. After arriving in the town, we toured the US Sault Canal docks, walked the tourist district, and enjoyed a huge ice cream cone as we were leaving. Crossed the International Bridge to the Canadian Sault canals. We did a 1.5 km walk around St. Mary's Island, which they used to build the lock. The walk had beautiful wildflowers, walked under the International bridge, and by the last remaining Swinging Bridge Emergency Spillway Lock in the world ( and yes, they do swing it twice a year).

Left Sault Ste. Marie and hit our first rain. It continued most of the way to Sudbury, where we are spending the night. It is still sprinkling.

August 20 - Seming, MI

Odometer- 21514.5

Left the KOA at 8AM, much cooler today. Noticed maple trees are beginning to change color on highway 2, and after driving through Wisconsin, we switched to Michigan 28 heading across the upper Michigan peninsula. Great rest stop on the Minnesota side of the St. Louis river overlooking Deluth, where we had a nice brunch. Found most national, state and even city campgrounds full tonight - of course, we are traveling just south of Lake Superior. We cooked ourselves a delicious salmon dinner- with dill sauce even. Not much visiting today, much more driving.

August 19 - Bimidji, MN

Odometer 21052.5

We rolled out of the campground at 8 AM and headed for the big city of Winnipeg. We went directly to "The Forks", amazing- beautiful park, excellent walks and celebration circle (a star gazing sculpture/aid for identification). A few converted railway bridges for pedestrians over the Red and Assiniboine rivers. Markets, and a music festival was being set up. The high-water marks were astoundingly high and still prevalent all around the city.

Leaving, we went to the Royal Canadian Mint and took their tour. All the circulating coins in Canada are made there, and only 60% of the coins they make are Canadian- the other 40% were for over 44 different countries- they were making an Ethiopian 1 birr coin while we were there. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take any coins away with us.

Headed south from there, and crossed the border with no difficulties. We a spending the night at a beautiful KOA campground with a pool and showers.

August 18 - Portage la Prairie, SK

Odometer- 20721.2

After a hot shower and breakfast, left Ponderosa campground at 8 Am and proceeded eastward to Regina. In Regina, toured the RCMP Depot and Heritage Centre ( the museum). Watched our RCMP march and learned process of becoming an officer. Museum consisted of deeds done since their incorporation. [photo to follow when wi-fi access available].

Warm, sunny but really windy on the road 1 East - the wheel was turned left most of the route. Pulled into Miller's campground at 8 PM - pool and hot showers, ice cream stand at campground. Tomorrow Winnipeg, and a jog south to Minnesota to cross south of the lake.

August 16 - Swift Current, SK

We're on our way! Started this morning getting the van packed, and the house closed up. Took the photo in the driveway, but are saying that the odometer was at 20000 to start as we dropped off library books. Odometer currently sits at 20320.8.

Highlight of the day was the Saamis teepee in Medicine Hat, Alberta. It is a metal teepee that stands 20 stories high, and was moved there after the 1988 Olympics, and is located at the site of a 16th century buffalo camp.

Continued on to Swift Current, SK and are staying at the Ponderosa Campground just east of town. Planning on the RCMP museum in the morning.

Post Five

With the weather threatening to rain, we still decided it would be a good idea to head for a hike. Took the chair lift up the hill, but it was still a 3.5 or 4 mile walk down the hill before the afternoon poster session. It was quite pleasant, and will add to post later.

Post Four

Halfway through the conference - students dealt well with questions on their posters, now my turn starts tomorrow. Poster is up, but I don't present until Thursday. Had some massive thunderstorms roll through- looks like we brought some rain with us, but at least it didn't stick around. Met a few others from the Canadian side of the border, a group from Queens University and cleared up a lot of confusion that we are UNBC, not UBC.
Most seem interested in what the place is like, its size and what is in the area.

Have had some ideas that come directly from talking to folks at their posters, and Matt has had questions which should help him out as he works on his gene reference project so so far the conference has been productive from that end - we have two more full days, then breakfast to go.