Heading North into Canada we soon found that Spring was not quite as advanced as we had experienced in New Hampshire and Maine.  As the weather alternated between bright sunshine and blizzards we kept our down jackets and woolley hats handy.  Almost all campsites appeared to be still closed for the season, so much of our day was filled with looking for a place to pitch our tent.  We found some great spots and were only once forced to stay in a hotel because we couldn't find a suitable patch of ground.   We particularly enjoyed Ontario with all of its frozen lakes and forests.  We even caught a glimpse of our first bear.  We would love to visit again once the ice has melted and sample the delights of the area by canoe.

Eventually, as we approached Winnepeg, the trees cleared and we found ourselves crossing the plains one dark stormy morning, the wind and rain battering Bee sideways and, with no trees for shelter, all in its path. The area around Winnepeg was the most steryotypical prarie that we experinced - totally flat, no trees or hedges to break up the view.  Over all our treeless drive was suprisingly varied however.  The sun soon came out and we found ourselves among oil fields, rolling hills, spotted Bison, Moose and Cayote, hundreds of deer and even stork.  The absolute highlight was the discovery of Cypress Hills Provincial Park on the Alberta Saskatchewan border.  A Garden of Eden - a deep hidden valley tucked away behind another inocuous ridge.  We revelled in its beauty and solitude, but all too soon it was time to get back on the road...