Our next stop on our Journey took us to Saskatoon where we stayed downtown and were able to wheel and walk to the heart of the city.
Saskatoon is a modern city and expansion is evident when you walk, roll and drive through the downtown core. The river front location is most striking.
We stayed at the Delta Beswood in the Downtown area and were treated very well by the staff.
The restaurant was excellent and the Chef personally addressed our group during our breakfast on the last morning wishing us well and becoming yet another messenger.
Our news event was well attended by the media and Mayor Donald Atchison welcomed us warmly and was 
well versed on our journey and the magnificent scientific work being done by Dr Rathbone.
When Mayor Atchison learned of Charlies penchant for learning Canadian History he gave us a number of books on the local history which were well received by our group.
Thank you Mayor Atchison for receiving us personally and so warmly. Your friendly demeanor and interesting dialogue were most welcome by our group.
We met many wonderful people in Saskatoon and found our stay there far too short as there were many things to do there and sites to see.
The setting of the City along the river banks was beautiful as well as the many bridges spanning the river.
Saskatoon is a growing, vibrant city with much to offer and people living within that care.
The Athletes are doing well and are covering the 100 kms easily each day especially the days that they have the wind to their backs.
They work well as a team and are constantly concerned about the health and safety of their team members and insist that a team member take time off when not feeling well or when hurting from pushing too hard.
Every day we reaffirm that the team choice was the correct one and we have the rightr stuff to finish the journey.
5 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 19, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Brent Tremblay
Hi Charlie, Harvey, Les and Chuck:
Great progress! I see you visited Saskatoon, the city I was born in many years ago. It sounds as though it is thriving and still has that “Western Welcome” that all of you deserve. Following Jim’s description is almost like being there. I hope the media will be picking up all your good “vibes” and the positive reactions of the people you meet as you pass through Canada.
We are looking forward to seeing you on August 2 in Freelton.
May the wind be in your back and the fresh air and good weather speed you on your quest.
Brent
July 22, 2008 at 11:45 am
Nancy Gimpelj
Blog the Blogger
July 19, 2008
The Wheel to Walk Canada team members that are on the road: Charlie, Harvey, Les, Chuck and Nancy decided it was due time to get together and Blog the Blogger. So here it is Jim. Enjoy J
We started the day off with our normal routine. The athletes were at the trailer preparing their handcycles for a full day of wheeling. Charlie was adjusting his breaks with Chuck, Harvey and Les were adjusting gears and Nancy was making sure all had enough water and necessary supplies. Missing from the scene was the sixth road member, the Road Manager himself, AKA The Blogger, Jim.
Thankfully, it only took moments to find him. We found him comfortably stretched out on the ramp of the trailer sleeping. Yes, sleeping! Sleeping on the job. Can you imagine? …we could have brought him a pillow, all he had to do was ask. We discussed that he looked just like and alligator sunning himself on the muddy banks of a swamp in Florida…but we’d let him sleep.
Charlie, Harvey, Les, Chuck and Nancy appreciate all the work you do with the Wheel to Walk Canada Blog. Keep the Blogs coming. And catching a five minute nap here and there is the least we can do to show our appreciation for the good work you always do. Thank you very much Jim.
Nancy Gimpelj
July 22, 2008 at 12:31 pm
wheeltowalkcanada
I have to comment on this comment by Nancy:
For two days I have been threatened by this last post and I must admit I am relieved by it’s content. I’m sure the threatened accompaning picture would have been most unflattering.
It has been very hard on all of us to keep up the pace we have endured on this trip and I’m afraid that none of us have been immune from the cat nap syndrome.
Remember the Charlie episode where we left him sleep while we all snuck by and left him to wake up along the Trans Canada highway confused.
Also it’s rumoured that Nancy has been napping enroute in the vehicle and I have photo evidence of some very interesting nap positions in the vehicles by the now famous Fab Four on route.
I do have a defense for my slight indisgression at napping while these guys get on their bikes. They take forever. You know getting ready, Oiling their chains, powdering their noses, fluffing their bright safety vests and of course making sure their sun glasses and safety helmets are positioned just right.
I need to rest up just to get ready for the inevitable “Jimmy would you get me”………. (you know all the stuff they forgot to bring out of the vans with them)……… after they are belted to their bikes.
They are improving though because they are starting to understand that I’m not their mother and they have to do it themselves.
And one famous athlete keeps sitting on the ground during his transfers to the bike. But he is getting better at this as well because he always has to pick himself up and get back on his bike. With four paraplegics travelling together there is no sympathy from the group for forgetting to apply the brakes before the transfer.
It is really hard to stay awake while all of this goes on especially with all of the constant chatter. It’s like being near a loud noisy machine with a constant droan and being the opportunist I am I take advantage of this and use it to instantly put me to sleep.
When I was on the Farm my dad always told me not to waste time so while these guys are wasting it I’m taking the opportunity to grab up their wasted time and use it to catch up on some of the sleep I’ve lost since this trip started.
There was a picture submitted with this comment by the team and unfortunately there is no way I can post it with the comment.
I will however do a special post of the nappers not to be confused with kidnappers.
In that post I will include pictures of the best nap positions recorded so far on this trip. After which I’m sure the team will not wish to poke the blogger again when he is napping.
For the real stuff stay tuned for the photo evidence of the real nappers and then we shall discuss who is calling the kettle black.
And for the guys who wrote this post and then challenged me to allow their post as the administrator remember that the Wheel to Walk Blogger Administrator always has the last blog.
July 23, 2008 at 8:40 am
Susan Dixon
Glad to hear you are catching up on your sleep Dad! Lord knows & I know you can sleep anywhere, anytime and in any position! The others are probably taking lessons from the best!
Miss you and see you soon.
August 6, 2008 at 12:11 am
Thomas Williams
Hi! Charlie, Harvey, Les & Chuck,
It’s great to hear of all the news of this grueling journey. It stand parallel to some of the greatest acts of commitment to a cause. I am glad to hear that you are around your home base getting ready for the next lag. I hope to catch up with you sometime today, Aug 5, 2008.
My team and I continue to solicit support from our friends and colleagues for this cause and we wish you all the best on your journey. Catch up on some good sleep and I am sure you will support all the way.
Thomas Williams