‘Hashbrowngate’ – July 3rd & 4th

If we were not clear enough in our previous blog, our mechanical issues were rectified by the Brandon Manitoba posse AND ourselves. It took a little courage on our part to trust the consensus of the group on what to do, but we did and it paid off.  YEAH!!!  So the next morning we walked to McDonalds and grabbed some coffee and to Lori’s dismay there were no hash-browns! Yikes, our perfect morning had only lasted about 20 minutes. HOW in heavens name can a McDonald’s have NO hash-browns!

The drive fortunately, was uneventful and we arrived in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in great time to find our Harvest Host (HH) location owned by the McMojo’s, a great big gated farm field. Met a lovely couple from Calgary who were heading east to Newfoundland and we exchanged ideas about great places to visit and stay.  They were on a 6 month sabbatical from work. Very cool!
Had a super night boondocking and 3 other units arrived.  It was surprising as normally HH locations limit to 1 or 2.  It felt very relaxing other than the mosquitos who were still very active here so we choose an indoor movie night.

The following morning it was rainy and super foggy.   We waited around for the fog to lift somewhat and had to wait even longer for our massive windshield (the one some of you have been making fun of, “you know who you are”) to clear up enough to see out of. We finally got that rectified and headed out.  It was supposed to be one of our longer days (about 5 hours of driving) and given the weather (lot’s of rain) we were on the road much longer.  We were thrilled when we finally arrived in Brooks Alberta to find our Harvest Host location The Back Forty, a working farm.  Going up the long driveway we came to a fork in the road, as one does in life, and we had a decision to make.  There was somewhat of a ‘disagreement’ as to which way to go.  When Barb said ‘You always go right….with a great big laugh…unless you are supposed to go left”.  We decided to go right and found the perfect parking spot and settled in. OK so maybe Barb was right….about going right… The rain finally stopped and we met the owners and purchased fresh eggs, sausage and of course BACON!  We went for a walk to visit the chickens and corn fields and once again ran back due to the swarms of Mosquitos! 

Early to bed as the next morning we had an 8am appointment at Brooks Lube, an AMA approved location for our pre-booked RV safety.  This of course is a requirement to get our RV licensed in Alberta.  Since the previous owner Bill had a safety in Ontario we assumed all would go well and we were not worried, well Lori was a little worried, Barb was cool as a cucumber. We popped across the street to the local A&W for breakfast.  NO HASH-BROWNS!!  The hash-brown shortage continues!!! Clearly this MUST be a nation wide issue!  Oh yah, and for the record, we were the youngest people in A&W by far. Welcome to early retirement!! Well at least we feel it is early seeing as how we are still so young 🙂

It was a ton of fun to watch the mechanics do their very thorough check of our RV from across the road. Two hours later, they called to tell us they were done and we went back for the outcome.  Great news we were certified.  However some new learnings.  The head mechanic shared he had called some government vehicle association to ask whether he could pass us as he is not to pass anyone without working air bags.  Now don’t misunderstand…it’s not that ours don’t work…our RV simply doesn’t have them! We had a holy shit moment until he told us apparently many RV’s don’t have them installed. Kind of hard to grasp in this day and age.  Anyhow we both acknowledged that our Wills and POAs are up to date, so we got back in the RV with certificate in hand.  As we were leaving the mechanic said he was super impressed with “our Rig” and also “highly intimidated” by our massive front window.  We had a huge laugh and Barb told him that was her very first thought when she initially saw the RV.  We now of course love it for the incredible views.