I had quite the journey trying to get back to Regina on Wednesday. Chicago got its first taste of snow (slush) that pretty much shut down travel in the area. My flight was scheduled to take off at 5pm, then 6pm, then 7pm, and then it was finally cancelled. I had to hop on the subway for an hour and a half just to get from O'Hare to Midway to catch a flight to Minneapolis, where I was stuck for the night. To top it all off, when I got back to Regina the next morning they lost one of my bags!
Nick picked me up from the airport close to noon and after a brief stop at my place to pick up some clothes we headed to Maple Creek. We stopped off in Swift Current for a bit, where I manged to pick up the new U2 album (the longest I have waited to buy one in a long time!). We arrived too late to hunt but after an awesome supper prepared by my grandparents we went over to my uncle's to butcher some hogs for the deer sausage we'll be making at Christmas time.
The next morning me, Nick, my dad, and Brandon got up early and headed west of town by Fort Walsh to see if we could find some elk. We toured around with a local farmer and his merry men in vehicle and on foot, but didn't see anything, even though a herd was known to frequent the area in the summer. After we bid them adieu, the four of us went closer to the Fort to see what we could see. Me and Brandon trudged up and down the hills across the north boundary of the Fort but didn't see anything except a huge moose. In the end, not only did we not see any elk, but nary a footprint was to be seen! We then headed north of the #1 to try and get some mule deer (Brandon and Dad having already bagged their animals in the days prior). We did see a number of animals but never got a shot away in time so we went home empty-handed :(
That night we cut up Dad and Brandon's mule deer in my uncle's garage. We decided that if we went out hunting on the Saturday we would never have time to cut them up and get back to Regina on time so that was the end of our hunt. The next morning we cleaned up the cabin and then went back to Maple Creek. We helped Grandpa and Grandma carry fridges and things from the basement since they are getting it re-done. They even donated an old wooden stereo to me that Brandon took back to Regina for me in the back of his truck! Me and Nick hopped in his jeep and headed back to Regina. We stopped at the airport to pick up my lost luggage and made it home in time to meet Brandon and Dad at my place to get my stereo. I'm happy to report that it sounds very good :)
Saturday night was poker night at Brad's, and it was a good time. Me, Troy, Blair (and his dog Zero!), Brad, Tyler, and Jerrod played cards, pool, and cranked the tunes until the wee hours. Unfortunately, as a result of the night's events I will have to buy Brad some new pool cues and maybe a new garage for Christmas!
On Sunday I wasted the day away. That night I went to my parents' house for supper and got a haircut. I got all my work paperwork done at the office and then sent off some wedding announcements in the mail. Pretty standard "haven't been home for a while"-fare as of late!
On Monday my flight was delayed getting into Chicago, but only by an hour so it wasn't as bad as before. I brought my winter jacket this time but haven't had a chance to put it to use just yet, although it's supposed to snow a few inches tomorrow. This weekend I am heading to Indianapolis to visit with Mike who will be there on holidays visiting his brother. It's only a three hour drive so that decision was a no-brainer. It looks like I am going to be back in Saskatchewan a lot this month, as I will be back in town for the weekends of the 10th and 17th for work Christmas parties and the like. I will also be home on the night of the 23rd for Christmas holidays until I head back to Chicago on Jan 3rd. December is usually a good month like that :)