Last day of work :(

Today was my last official day of work at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.  The internship is over.  It makes me quite sad to think that this time next week I will no longer be in Saskatchewan, but I have had such a wonderful time here these past four months.  Words cannot describe how much I learned and experienced!

I fly out of Regina next Tuesday morning.  Hopefully I will make it out here again in the near future!

Meandering in Moose Jaw

Alyssa and I took a jaunt over to Moose Jaw on the weekend - she wanted me to see it before I leave Saskatchewan next week.  (insert sad face)

The trip was absolutely lovely.  I think Moose Jaw is quite possibly one of my new favourite little towns.  It was like being transported back to the 1950's, with its beautiful downtown architecture and mid-century storefront signs.  I loved it!

We ended up taking one of the Tunnels of Moose Jaw tours, The Chicago Connection.  Did you know that Moose Jaw was referred to as "Little Chicago" in the 1920's and 30's because of its connection to prohibition and gangsters?  Most notably, Al Capone made Moose Jaw one of his most important bootlegging stops during his heyday of prohibition booze smuggling.  The tour guides took us through an 'old' speak-easy and the underground tunnels where Capone's bootleggers conducted their operations.  I thought it was a hoot and a half!  There's also another tour offered called Passages to Freedom, all about the Chinese immigrants who worked on the railroads at the turn of the last century.  Both tours sounded really cool, and I'd definitely recommend them if you're in town!

After the tour we had some lunch at Nit's Thai Food, which came highly recommended and didn't disappoint in the flavour department.  (Best pad thai I've had in a LONG time!)  Then we headed through the park to Moose Jaw's museum and art gallery.  I always enjoy going through small, local museums and seeing what sorts of things they like to put on display in order to showcase their histories.  Moose Jaw was no exception, and I learned a lot about this part of Saskatchewan and its colourful past. 

And what better way to finish off the day than with a trip to the local fudge factory and gift emporium?

Me with Mac the Moose (Biggest. Moose. EVER.)

Tunnels of Moose Jaw - The Chicago Connection Tour

Where the Chicago Connection tour starts - head up the stairs for some fun!

Where the Passages to Freedom tour starts - head down to the Chinese laundry to start your adventure!

Some of the really fun nostalgia-style signage in downtown Moose Jaw.

Nit's for lunch - great movie-house signage, great pad thai!

If only I could actually DRIVE the getaway car...

Lunar Eclipse

I woke up early this morning to watch the lunar eclipse scheduled (I say scheduled as if we here on Earth somehow have any effect on it whatsoever).  It was -13 below, but considering how cold it's been lately, it was actually not too bad.  However, I was the ONLY person out in the park this morning, other than the guy walking his dog.

Well, it was AWESOME.  By the time I got outside the moon was already moving through into a partial eclipse, but I spent the last half hour watching it move into full eclipse.  I only had my dinky point-and-shoot digital camera with me (curses for leaving all my good equipment in Ontario!) so the photos I got are terrible.  But it was really cool to watch nonetheless.

Fun little tidbits

More cowboy boots than you can shake a stick at (found at Cowtown in Regina).

One of the funniest ads this season from across the street.

My cross-stitch project template.  Can anybody figure out what it is yet?  :)