August 25, 2025
It was time to bid Saskatchewan a fond adieu and head back to Alberta province. Google Maps told me it would be a 4 3/4 hour drive southwest to Medicine Hat, just across the provincial border. I had stopped there briefly on my way to Moose Jaw and decided I would go back and spend more time there.
The trip consisted mostly of driving through open farmland. One place I noticed a pattern in a field which reminded me of similar sights elsewhere.
I had previously attributed the color pattern to different crops but I now wonder if it was crops and dirt (though the dirt here seemed freshly tilled).
It was an uneventful drive to Medicine Hat.
I went down to a city park near the river and found a man ready to go out on a paddleboard with his dog.
The dog was obviously ready to go.
I drove across town to the Big Marble Go Centre, a large multi-purpose complex with both indoor and outdoor activities.
There were some squared off spaces between the wall pillars and each had a unique wrought iron scene depicting life and industry in the area.
And atop the building was this back-lit bird.
There were pickleball and tennis courts outside, as well as numerous fields for sports activities.
Inside was a whole host of activities, from an ice rink, aquatic center and indoor courts which could be transformed for various uses.
They even had a climbing wall, though it was more for kids than adults.
And I found this to be an interesting idea:
On my way to The Go Centre I noticed another sports facility for kids and adults alike.
I also spotted a nice church near town. I am often impressed by religious buildings as they are generally well designed and maintained.
I decided to treat myself to a beer after my long travel day. I selected a place that was listed in TripAdvisor and they offered an alcoholic root beer on their menu which sounded interesting. I was disappointed to learn that they were out of it so I “had” to settle for a regular brew. And they didn’t even have any bar food to offer – only chips.
And as I was leaving I saw a sign giving a possible reason for the scant offerings:
Yikes! A 4 hour window. Well better that going out of business altogether, I suppose.
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