A sunny day in mid-April is a good time for a drive into the countryside.
Wanting to see wildlife, the Highway 363 route to Gravelbourg was my choice.
The highway was in surprisingly good shape with a few tiny potholes. The worst stretch of pavement was the Main Street of Coderre.
The spring run-off was excellent. Potholes and sloughs that were dry last fall are full.
Some low flat stubble fields are covered with shimmering water and will be seeded late if at all.
And this was before the last snowstorm of April.
Snow dotted the hills like spots on a leopard.
Two mule deer, a doe and last year’s fawn, dashed up a hill. I stopped and they peeked through the fence.
Three pairs of ducks and a similar number of Canada geese had arrived early to stake a claim to their summer home and swimming hole.
For two years the slough by the entrance to Courval has been dry. Not this year. I recall taking photos of Ibis birds feeding in it a few years ago.
The old Catholic Church at Courval, owned by Paul and Evelyn Marcil, has progressed towards their bed and breakfast plan. Most of the south wall has been filled with windows from top to bottom.
I stopped in Coderre at the hotel, now called Branded Bar and Grille.
It’s been about 20 years since I’ve been in it. The place is sure spruced up with a cedar plank west wall, cool photos by former owner Wanda Hudson and wooden supports that contain local cattle brands.
The current owner had to overcome challenges right after taking over. A storm blew off the roof, the boiler died as did two coolers.
With help from the community, the place re-opened, continuing the hotel operations that started in 1925.
A wall of amusing signs decorates the wall behind the bar. My favourite reads: Helene Waite is our accountant. If you want credit Go to Hell'en Wait.
I stayed on Highway 363 and turned south on No. 58.
A coyote was streaking through a stubble field — well he wasn’t wearing clothes.
By the time I stopped, he was over half a mile away but stopped out of curiosity. I must have moved the camera when I took the photo. It was out of focus. Need more practice.
Sadly there are lots of vacancies on Gravelbourg’s Main street. A place called Mary Jane Cafe has opened.
And the Snack Shack across from College Mathieu has re-opened after being closed for years.
We used to enjoy the “gravelburgers’’ there
On the way back via Mossbank and Highway Two, the hills there still are dotted with snow.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
