Tuesday night in Regina

The Regina show was a friendly, casual thing. I liked The Gaslight - big stage, easy setup, attentive sound guy. I wasn’t sure how comfortable I’d be in a place that’s mainly a biker bar, but I was surprised how comfortable and easy-going it was. It seemed like we got to know practically everybody there. Devon Floyd, a local acoustic singer/songwriter, did a fine opening set for us, and then we played a bunch of stuff including the new song. There were also a few unscheduled musical moments. Todd did a funky little solo while a mic cable was replaced halfway through the set. We also went into a spontaneous semi-improvised musical interlude later, just because it seemed like the thing to do at the time.

No room at the inn

After the show, the plan was to find a motel on the east side of town, so that it’d be easier to get a jump start on the drive to Winnipeg. Well, after attempting to check in at every single hotel/motel on the outskirts of town, and finding them all full except for one place with a stinky smoking room, we were a little worried. One of the desk clerks back in town had suggested driving to Indian Head, about 45 minutes east of the city. We headed east, and I fell asleep in the back while the guys looked in vain for motels where the offices were still open.

Finally, at 2:30 AM, Todd lucked out at a little 4-room place called the Sunshine Motel, barely a blip on the map, where he was able to rouse the owner and get us a room. It was awesome. It was so close to the train tracks that when some huge freight train came through in the wee hours of the day, I felt like it was going to run right through the building. (Marcus didn’t even wake up). It had character, and was cozy, and had easy parking, and was all we needed. I slept great, apart from the trains.

We woke to a beautiful sunny prairie day.

And it was immediately obvious where we were going to eat breakfast, because it was the only thing we could see out our window and it looked cool. I had eggs and a Saskatoon berry pie at the Craft-Tea Elevator Restaurant.

“Todd, wake up. It’s the cops.”

En route to Winnipeg, shortly before the border with Manitoba, there was some sort of police checkpoint and everyone was being pulled off the road. I was a little worried that since we’re all in a band, they’d pretty much take us to pieces. But I think the cop was surprised when Marcus graciously offered to show him all our gear and luggage, and they sent us on our way in no time. I’m just glad they didn’t find my secret stash of dark chocolate. I’m not sure it’s under the legal limits.

Just setting up in Winnipeg now, at Mondragon. More details as events warrant.