Crawling across the prairies.

Imperial Campground (2 stars)

OK, so we take advice from our neighbours in the campground at Outlook not to take the highway to Gardiner Dam. It is very rough and there is construction east of the dam. We wanted to go down to see the dam and then head east to Imperial. Duly noted, we head straight for Imperial on Highway 15.

No swearing on the Roads Less Gravelled website!

That "highway" between highways 11 and 2 was 66 clicks of crap. A little pavement on either end and nothing but rough gravel in between. Any Saskatchewan grid road is in better shape than this "highway". We crawled along mostly at 30 kph.

Imperial is a nice surprise. We rolled into town and stopped by a gentleman fixing a utility box to ask directions to the campground. It was Ted, the mayor of Imperial, who apparently does many more things besides chairing the town council. He pointed us to the campground and later came by to make sure we were settled. And, as Lee concluded in the evening, Imperial may no longer have its elevators, but the campground is located right where they used to stand. We are at peace!

Lez notes: Travellers need some kind of "Highway condition assurance". Sure, in the winter road conditions are noted. But it is a warm sunny, windy late spring day. This excuse for a highway was disgusting. I believe one sign said "broken pavement". OK - for how long. Is the road passable. Will there be craters to dodge. Is there some Sask road condiions website. OK no swearing, but geeeeez.

I do my best to ensure our possessions in the RV are positioned to minimize breakage, and there are cardboard "stops" in the high cabinets over the counter and stove and in the cabinets above in the outdoor kitchen slide out. I had visions of every door popping open and the shaking of the RV creating havoc with contents being spilled every which way. The camera came with me to photo the mayhem I expected.

The photos will show what I found. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Not one open door, not one spill, no mess. Pour me a beer.

OK - we did go over to the hotel and had dinner - with beer.

We settled in for a quiet evening, I enjoyed the wind and sun and finished the binding on the Quilt of Valour. Hobbes curled up on the lawnchair beside me, and Lee caught a well deserved snooze after that incredible manoeuvering us over the washboard, wash out, spittin' gravel, dodging gravel spray from oncoming rigs.