Day 2- Estevan, SK

 June 13

417 miles

8 hr, 41 min drive time

68 gal gas

After I posted yesterday's update the girls suddenly hit the wall and got cranky.  It took a bit but I got them to bed.  I had been going to a massage therapist weekly for the last month to try and work out a chronic pain I've been having in my glutes.   It's probably due to the stance I take while bagging out feed.  It's flares up really bad when in the truck so I was hoping to find some relief for the trip.   She recommended a Shakti acupressure mat.  I gave it a spin for the first time last night.    Did it clothed to ease into it.  Not to bad.  I also have one of those impact massagers that I tried as well.   That seemed to do the trick as I make it all but the last two hours without pain.

I let the girls sleep in a bit today.  I think yesterday took a lot out of them.  We all worked relatively well together to get packed up and on the road.

Getting on the interstate I went though a few rough patches of road and was bottoming out with harsh rebound.  I was getting me nervous for the pot holes and frost heaves in Alaska.  I started second guessing not getting airbags for the truck.  Normally it rides very well but I have about 700 lb more weighing on the truck than I do for a typical weekend.  I started calling truck parts suppliers in Grand Forks as that was our next major pass through.  Only one place had a set in stock that would fit my truck.  They were asking $700 for them.  Normal price is about $400.  Since they were on the way I stopped in anyways just in case she had the price wrong.  She said she would knock off $100.  I decided to pass.  I wasn't going to over pay by that amount and then have to lay in the dirt under the truck to install them.  I'll just have to have the girls help me look out for bad roads.  I'm sure it will be fine and I was just getting into my head.

About lunch time Libby texted me from the back that her stomach was upset.  I told her we would pull over at the next town for a break.  All of sudden she tells me she needs to stop now.  I'll tell you now trying to do an emergency stop when you weigh 22,000 lbs and you think your kid is going to puke feels like miles to get stopped.  Luckily she didn't and we just hung out for a bit with the windows open for fresh air.   We did finally make it to the next town.  A rest stop and sprite and she seemed to be feeling better although she stills says her stomach hurts.

The boarder crossing was uneventful.  I had prepped the girls for possible questions they might get asked.  The boarder agent scanned our passport cards.  Standard questions of where we are going, how long we will be in Canada, anything we shouldn't have, etc.  All the running around I did to get a copy of Jen's death certificate and all he asked if my wife was aware of what her kids were doing.  Told them she passed away 2 years ago and that was it.  

Tonight we are staying in a Regional campground in Estevan.  It's really nice here and reminds me of our State campgrounds.  I bought some firewood and we will have a little fire and s'mores.

Tomorrow is North Battleford, SK