Just a Gal from Glidden: Stuck in Stranraer

By Kate Winquist
kate@yoursouthwest.com

I had a pretty good first weekend of spring. I travelled down to Gull Lake on Friday after work and helped Robert with some never-ending renovations on our house.

We got up early on Saturday morning and travelled to Medicine Hat. After a quick trip to the Home Depot, I called my Mom to see if she was allowed any visitors at her condo. Mom was surprised that we were in the city, as we haven’t made many trips over the past year due to Covid. We had a good visit and got to watch a bit of the Mixed Doubles Curling on TSN - curling is my Mom’s absolute favourite thing to watch. I’m kind of surprised she didn’t make us wait to come over until the game was over!

I’m not a big shopper, but before we left Medicine Hat, I told Robert that I was in desperate need of a new pair of running shoes. The ones that I had were starting to come apart at the sole, and I didn’t want to get my feet wet with the spring thaw.

We toddled back to Gull Lake for the evening, and after a good night’s slumber, I was headed back to Kindersley to get papers ready for mailing for Monday morning.

It was such a beautiful drive, hardly another vehicle on the road—lots of deer, geese and gophers. I had brought my camera with me, but alas, I forgot my SD card in my computer at work - no photos on this trip.

I thought that I should stop by Peavy Mart when I got back to town and pick up some rubber boots. It is pretty dry out there, but the odd puddle and sometimes getting that “perfect shot” require going places that you probably shouldn’t in everyday footwear.

I didn’t even stop at the house upon my return. I headed straight to the office as I figured my kids would be sleeping in on a Sunday morning anyhow.

I finished doing my work chores shortly after lunch and went back home. My daughter greeted me at the door and said, “Mom, we should go for a drive. I’m bored.”

“It’s a perfect day for a road trip,” I said. We hopped in the car, drove back to the office for my camera’s SD card, filled with gas and headed north. I had a specific place in mind.

Can you believe that I have never been to Dodsland? Or anywhere along Hwy 31?

We made a stop at the former location of the Algoma SD #2876. We turned into Dodsland and were greeted by a colourful “Dodsland Welcomes You” sign. We drove up and down every street in the small village, happily snapping photos of an old gas station, CASE dealership, the cenotaph and much more.

Our journey continued through the community of Plenty and then down into the Eagle Creek Valley, where the tiny hamlet of Stranraer is located.

My daughter and I both gasped as we saw the old Stranraer School and immediately pulled into the entrance to take a photo. I could see a church steeple over the hill and told Jaidyn that we needed to have a closer look. I failed to drive around the only puddle that I saw on our trip in all of my excitement. You guessed it. We got stuck! For some reason unknown, I must have thought I had 4x4 in my Kia Forte.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to struggle too long, as some good samaritans saw our predicament, and we were able to find dry land again - not before I broke in my new running shoes.

Moral of the story: When going on a weekend road trip, don’t forget your rubbers! Strangely enough, this had an entirely different meaning 30 years ago. Looking forward to more adventures this spring!

Photos by Kate Winquist

The former location of the Algoma SD #2876.

The historic Stranraer United Church hides over a hill.

So much for new shoes!