Days 166-169 Regina,(and Saskatoon) Saskatchewan

I got this picture online from the Regina newspaper. Shows the 25 year timeline from the original man in motion tour to the 25th anniversary tour.

Sunday was a day-off from the relay. Our crew decided to put together a bit of a superbowl party. Our endurance athlete Lonnie hung out in the corner making sure everyone had a nip from a boot-shaped shot glass that he has carried all around the world with him. It's Hank's turn in the hot seat.

Followed by Natalie. (Yes, even I could not escape the lure of the boot!)

It was nice to just chill out and watch a bit of football with the gang.

Russ with his Ochocinco jersey on (now plays for the New England Patriots), has a shot with Lonnie.

Our relay director Jamie is a big Patriots fan. He had the rally cap going but it was not to be as the New York Giants beat the Pat's 21-17

Russ and Don trying to decide if the sign about not leaving children unattended on the escalator pertains to them or not.

I saw this pic of Mr. Hockey (Gordie Howe) in the casino across the steet.

Don, Russ, and Billy getting ready to say good-bye to their cash at the casino. (actually I am not  sure if that is true, I did not stick around long enough)

Day 167 was an event day in Regina. Russ, Josh, and I headed out to our first event, but not before we took our vehicle to the carwash to spruce it up a little.

I tried to help but Russ was a whirling dervish, so it was best I kept my distance.

I was fortunate enough to part of a small crew that paid a visit to  Hope's Home in Regina. This is a special place for medically fragile children. Their overview statement:

Staffed with nurses, developmental workers, and early childhood educators, Hope's Home has been able to meet the varying and complex medical, developmental, and educational needs of all the children attending daycare and preschool.

Based on individual assessments and a total approach of planning and setting goals for each child, it has been exciting to watch so many medically fragile children and their siblings grow physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.

It began in 2005 and offered families the opportunity to go to work or even just take a break, all the while allowing their children to grow, develop, and play with other kids in a fun and medically safe enviroment alongside children from their community.

Here Josh shows this group of 2 and 3 year olds the Rick Hansen medal. We read the kids a children's book about the Rick Hansen story, called " A Boy in Motion"

The driving force and founder of Hope's Home, Jackie, seen here with two of the kids in the program. It was so much fun to just hang with these wonderful kids and the staff for a couple of hours.

Same day, totally different event. We went to the R.C.M.P. training academy in Regina, where Rick Hansen was on hand to speak to the staff and cadets, followed by a noon parade and inspection of the troops by Rick.

One of the symbols of the R.C.M.P., the bison head.

In the cafeteria was a scale layout of the training facility.

12 of us went to the event as spectators, as well as our event, media, and security staff, and Rick, of course.

It was quite an impressive display.

A marching band joined the procession

The V.I.P section including our events team, our director, and in the front right, Rick

One of the troop leaders, this member was all business, and certainly looked the part.

The band is ready.

Rick comes onto the floor to inspect the cadets. The visit by Rick was in appreciation for the support the RCMP gave Rick on his original man in motion tour 25 years ago, and the continued support on the 25th anniversary relay.

Rick confers with the commanding officers.

After the inspection of the troops, the parade begins.

These cadets were very well rehearsed, and it actually was a lot of fun witnessing the procession

After about 45 minutes, they marched out of the drill hall, which was recently refurbished and was originally the riding school at the depot

Afterwards one of the instructors came over and gave us a little history about the depot and answered some of our questions.

A panoramic of some of the buildings at the training facility

One of a kind weather vane.

I could make a joke about a donut shop, but I wont.

Another one of the instructors was kind enough to give us a tour of some of the facilities.

Poster for another event at the drill hall

When we were leaving we saw some of the new recruits practicing their marching skills.

Back to the hotel for a little gym time.

Day 168 (while Rick Hanen and a small relay crew were in Saskatoon) was time to catch up on the personal things. Jeremy, Marilyn, Kenn, Scott, and I went on a road trip to do a little laundry, and to win some bragging rights on a couple of games of crib. (scott and jeremy took those honors.) I cannot seem to account for my whereabouts on these days, but they fly by just as fast as the relay days!

One of the symbols of the prairie winter in the big city, the enclosed walkway. From our hotel, we could take one to the parkade, the casino across the street and to the mall downtown. Why own a jacket?

Picking up one of the shuttles at our indoor parking facilities, I just pulled in as the sun was setting. You do not see these kind of sunsets in the Okanagan valley, with all the mountains around.

Day 169 was a special event day, as some of the relay team volunteered our services at the "Good Food Box" in Regina, a division of Reach Regina, Their mission is to provide healthy food to all families regardless of circumstances. Wednesday is their busiest day, where they put together healthy breakfast, fruit, and vegetabale hampers for not just people in need, but, for example, busy people who do not have the time to shop. They can put in an order for their fruits and vegetables for a very competitve price.

Our endurance athlete Lonnie, weighing out some grapes for the hampers.

Scott and I sortin, baggin, and packin!

Yes, we have no bananas!

A lot of the volunteers have been helping here for up to 20 years! It was great working with these people, and they welcomed us with open arms.

Coffee time, these guys were great and had some great stories to tell, it didn't take long for the banter to get going, it was like we'd been working together for years!

They set up an assembly line, everyone had a job, Jeremy was on pears, while I had the most important job, carrots and celery!

This guide shows what type of hampers are available

It takes a team!

My station.

Six of us showed up, and apparently we passed the test, we got the job done in less than 2 hours.

The finished product, all packed and ready for delivery

 I would put this team up against anyone! This relay has provided so many incredible experiences. Like I said, a lot of volunteers have been at the Good Food Box for years. Today, we come in , help for a couple of hours, have the honor of working with these incredible people, look like heroes (although we know who the real heroes are), and we get to carry on, ...... wow!

After I dropped off the shuttle bus, Hank picked me up at the parking, on the way home we were talking about my blog, he said there wasn't enough pictures of me, so he suggested a pic of me under this street sign. I still can't figure out what he thought was so funny!

I stole this from Sam at our head office, who sends out the medal bearer info each day and includes a cartoon. Who doesn't like the Far Side?