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05/29/2007: "Nervioso to the thousand!"

Winnipeg to Saskatoon - 700ish kms

After the best bowl of porridge in the country (Sorry Bonnie S.) made by Dr. J's wife, Rhea, we hit the road. As soon as we turned the ignition, Fin had some silent, invisible but very good news for us: the S.E.S. light was no longer on! Nathan cheered, Fin revved his engine, and we hit the road.

The highway was straight and flat (see photo), and we had a long drive ahead of us. I was a little worried about staying alert because Nathan had passed out again and Fin was on autopilot. But about 3 hours into the journey, near the border of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, something arrived that none of us were expecting.

That's right: it snowed! (See photo) Within less than half an hour, it went from your normal late-spring day to a blustery wintry afternoon. There were several cars spun-out at the side of the highway, so Fin, without his snow tires on, slowed down. Nathan woke up and blinked his eyes at the storm, and for once he was completely speechless (for a while).

The snow lasted for about an hour, and then suddenly the road was spring-like again. I saw Nathan shaking his head and heard him whisper, "The 8th quadrant's snow squalls. I've heard about them. We must be getting closer to the Monstrous Mountains and Dark Soldiers of Noir."

About an hour outside of Saskatoon, Nathan finally asked, "What are we doing in Saskatoon again?" and I replied, "We are going to be performing in front of tens of students at a bunch of schools."

"EXCUSE ME?" Nathan demanded, beginning to hyperventilate and shake his head violently. "Don't you worry, Nathan," I said, trying to calm him. "You'll be fine. Everyone will love you," and he demanded, "How do you know?" and I said, "I just do."