We pretty much sailed through Manitoba on this return trip. As I said, Ray was on a Mission to get to Regina as he wanted to see Jim and Marline while they were still on the area.
Once again in Regina, we camped in an RV park in Balgonese which is just across the highway from White City. Our friends Jim and Marline were visiting with their son Rob and his family. Jim and Marline are also on a journey of their own travelling back to the east coast. We were only taking 6 weeks to do our trip, while Jim and Marline were taking "however long it takes"! They left home a couple of weeks ago and heading to the Maritimes, including Newfoundland (which we did in 2012). They are camped in Rob and Rondi’s front yard and had already been there for a few days before we arrived. On June 20th, they are leaving their trailer at Rob’s and flying home to Mission to go and see one of their grandson’s graduate from high school. They will be in Mission for about a week and then fly back to Regina where they will continue their trip. We spent two nights this time in Regina. The first night we had a bar-b-que at Rob and Rondi’s, just hanging out and having a good visiting. We shared tales of our trip and gave some pointers on place to avoid and some better places to camp. Hopefully our bits of information will help them along their journey.
The next day we picked Jim and Marline up and drove downtown to find the RCMP Academy (also called Depot). As Ray and I have both worked for the RCMP, we had a great interest in seeing where it all begins. I should really say that it was me more than Ray who had the bigger interest as he lost interest fairly quickly. As you arrive on the grounds of the Depot, there is a beautiful building “RCMP Heritage”. It is chock full of the long history starting with the Northwest Mounted Police right up to the modern day RCMP.
After seeing the movie we boarded an electric tram to take in the tour of the grounds of Depot. Our tour guide described each building as we came to it and when we saw police cars with their flashing lights and a man with his hands in cuffs while a number of members stood by, our guide explained that it was scenario training and no photos allowed. Oh bummer, I wanted to take photos….. because I had never seen that before…LOL. She pointed out the firearms training building the area where the cadets learn to drive at high speeds in all different road conditions, the mess hall and the barracks. Our tour of the grounds included the daily parade and inspection of the troops. We lucked out on this because it was also graduation day for some of the cadets. So not only were the cadets in their cadet uniforms, but the class graduating later in the day were dressed in full red serge. A number of the cadets that were not participating in the inspection were new to the program, probably in their first few weeks. As it was explained to us, these cadets were wearing blue shirts, plain black pants and running shoes. They also had to do a two step walk everywhere, which looked like a slow run, with their arms up on their chest and their fists closed. The cadets have to earn their walking boots and also the yellow stripe on their pants is earned. Once they earn their regular boots, they are able to walk and march normally. It is very militant, as is their parade and inspection. I have seen many “final” inspections when a senior officer retires so I knew what to expect. Ray however, even though he had many years working with the RCMP, had not seen many and was very bored by it all. For me though, I was thinking of all the members I have worked with (both Abbotsford PD and Mission RCMP) coming from the Justice Institute and RCMP Depot, so fresh faced and eager to start their career. Some of who have retired now. It made me feel emotional watching the inspection of the troops.
There is nothing more Canadian then seeing a mountie in their red serge. Well maybe seeing a Tim Horton’s runs a close 2nd that makes a travelling Canadian in a different country swell with “pride” upon seeing that sign. Which is funny, because I am much more of a Starbucks girl rather then a Tim’s girl.
Coles Notes version of the RCMP history
There is so much history within the RCMP, that I would be typing for days and would like bore a good many of you....and with the help of Wikipedia, here is the short version with just a few bits of history.
The North-West Mounted Police was formed in 1873 by Prime Minster Sir John A. MacDonald. In 1904 "Royal" was added to the name and in 1920 the force was renamed Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1949 Newfoundland joined confederation and the Newfoundland Ranger Force amalgamated with the RCMP. In 1953 the RCMP became a full member of Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization)
That is probably enough history for now. One thing that I do recall from some training I had at the RCMP Academy on Heather St in Vancouver quite a few years ago; way back in the early days of the RCMP a member could not be married and when they changed that rule, a member wishing to marry had to get permission to do so. I always thought that was funny!!
Anyway,,,,I will leave you with that for now.
Lori and Ray
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