Next week I will be acting as a tourist guide.
My parents are arriving in Moose Jaw on Saturday and spending a week with us before we all go to Panorama in the Rocky Mountains.
I have planned a whole itinerary for them — which would work a lot better if the sun comes out.
I’m planning on taking them to Buffalo Pound on Sunday and hopefully we will be able to see the bison. They were impressed by my photos when my husband and I visited at Christmas — although it was then covered in snow.
I will also take them to Regina to see Wascana Park and the legislative buildings. I think my dad will be interested in visiting the RCMP Heritage Centre and I would like to see a couple of the art galleries in the city. I’ll probably take them for lunch at the 13th Avenue Coffee House in the Cathedral area as my husband and I have had many tasty dishes there.
People have also recommended we visit Gravelbourg to see the cathedral. I guess we will really be able to judge if the town is a touch of Europe in the prairies as it claims to be.
It looks like a lovely town to wander around and it will be new for me, too.
Another possible day trip is to Saskatoon. I’ve only been there once and I’d like to explore it in more depth.
I think they will also like the drive out there as it will give some idea as to the vast, open spaces and huge skies of the prairies.
Of course I’m not forgetting there’s plenty to do in Moose Jaw itself.
I’m planning on a trip to the Western Development Museum and also the Moose Jaw tunnels. We will probably take the Chicago Connection tour and find out about Al Capone.
I’d like to take them to lunch at the Yvette Moore Gallery as I’ve enjoyed many delicious meals there.
As we wander around Main Street, I’m sure I will also uncover many places I haven’t been before. I’m looking forward to visiting all the shops and showing my parents my favourite places.
We’ll enjoy a walk through Crescent Park as well as Wakamow Valley and I’m hoping we’ll be able to have a few barbecues at home.
I’m really looking forward to showing my parents where we live and how we have settled in at our new home.
I’m also glad they will be able to see Saskatchewan as many English people travelling to Canada for the first time will only visit Vancouver and the Rocky Mountains or the east coast.
After our stay in Panorama, my parents are taking the train from Banff to Vancouver.
I hope they get a good flavour of the country during the trip — and hopefully they will come back again for another visit before we leave in 2012.
Rebecca Lawrence can be reached at 691-1258.
