The barn is more of a museum inside now, with only one stall as an example. However, the panels containing history of the area, the farm, and the owner were well done and interesting about the settlement of this part of Saskatchewan. The farm eventually failed and the owner, Bell, moved elsewhere.
After visting the Barn, we went south of town to the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Shelterbelt Centre. We were especially interested in seeing any shrubs they are growing because we will be planting new shrubs in front of our house this year. We really didn't find a variety that looked like what we want, but did take a few pictures of possible ideas. We also picked up a few brochures and enjoyed looking at a model of the suggested arrangement of a farm with well-planned shelter belts. It was quite interesting. This summer we had to remove three trees on the north side of the house, so it gave us some ideas about what to do in that area.
We then drove west and stopped in Moose Jaw to visit the Saskatchewan Burrowing Owl Interpretive Centre (SBOIC)First opened in 1997, the interactive interpretive center was developed adjacent to an abandoned racetrack surrounding the native habitat of several wild nesting burrowing owls. The Centre is also home to any wild Burrowing Owls that may not be released into the wild due to injury or loss of migratory ability. We were told that the original wild burrowing owls in the area have not returned at this time; this may be because the city is developing more around that area.
We enjoyed our tour and observing the owls. These owls are very small and nest underground. Although called Burrowing Owls, they do not actually dig their own burrows. They use burrows that have been dug by prairie dogs, gophers, or badgers. At the Centre they actually live in constructed burrows using flexible pipes. However, there are prairie dogs living there also and we saw some "visiting" the owls in their cages. The staff member that was showing us around said the staff have to refill holes near the cage walls made by the prairie dogs often so that the owls can not escape. Since most of the owls currently in residence can not be released because of their past injuries, this is a concern.
They are very small birds and their coloring certainly blends in and makes them difficult to spot sometimes, even in their cages. Three of the owls are imprinted on humans and are used in programs outside the Centre. You can see a short film about some of the Centre's activities and the owls here.
Our next stop was Rouleau, Saskatchewan, location for the Canadian TV comedy, Corner Gas. This is the show we have been watching on DVD in the camper each evening. We like the songs at the beginning and the end of the show during the credits. The song at the end is part of "My Happy Place"; the full song was originally done by The Odds. Here's the part used as the Corner Gas closing theme. Folks in the Great Plains, whether U.S. or Canada, will enjoy!
In the show, the town is called "Dog River." "Dog River" is painted on the grain elevator across the main highway from the town and easily seen from the Corner Gas station/convenient store and Ruby's Cafe, the main locations for show. All these buildings could be seen first as we approached the town from the northwest. We picnicked at Corner Gas and took pictures.
While we were there at least two other vehicles stopped, people got out and took pictures.
After taking the pictures, we drove into town. The local bar and one store sold souvenirs. We bought some.
Then we drove south to Ceylon, Saskatchewan, just short of the border. We camped in the city park.
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