15   Sunday, September 14   Bow Island, AB

Day 3 on the prairies, and the wind is still
against me. I have gone about as far in the last 2
days as together as the 1st. It makes planning very
difficult. I could be in Saskatchewan tomorrow, and
Regina the next day, or Regina could be a full week
away, depending on the winds. At least in BC, the
hills are predictable. Out here the winds can change
greatly and suddenly, according to the locals.
Speaking of which, the locals out here are amazingly
friendly. In BC, my standard line was, "What's the
road like from here to ___?" It was a great way to
start talking to people. Out on the prairies, that
line obviously no longer applies. "Uhh... flat.
With wheat fields..." But it have found that there
is little need. The locals are extremely pleasant,
and always willing to strike up a conversation at
the slightest provocation. I passed through my first
prairie storm today. Luckily, I was in a town,
Grassy Lake, and could take shelter while it passed
over. It was, as all things are here, quite amazing.
Blue sky all around, except for this one black band
that approached, passed over with great clamour and
fanfare, lightning and thunder, torrential rains,
then was gone, and I could stand, watching it pass
away, in brilliant sunshine. Quite amazing. O well.
To sleep now, and let's see what the winds shall
bring tomorrow.


Call of the Stark Horizon
-------------------------

As I gaze apon a black-specked rainbow
Retreating dimly to the distant South,
I have only one thought to call apon:

O, but that a cursing wind could bequeath itself
Once more apon my back,
And I, but a glimmer in the Howling Fray,
Be thrown again toward the Eastern moon,
As a powerless fish returned to spawn.