Dear Saskatchewan,

It is with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye. It's not you, it's us. We just have to press on.

It's not that we won't miss your 15 days of sun, or the river that bears your name with the favourable current. It's not we are tired of meeting friendly people in your riverside towns who are always offering their help - and homemade sausage. And we certainly aren't over your big sky sunsets that last until 11 pm. We really just have to move on.

Remember the time we had lunch at the Forks? Remember the time we crossed Tobin, our first lake? Remember the time Tim Horton's was waiting for us at Scot's Landing? Remember the time we were shown the meaning of true hospitality in Cumberland House? We do too. But it's time to roll on, Saskatchewan.

We can't blame you for having an accessible North Battleford radio station that immediately put three river rats on air - in fact we kind of liked it. And you really can't be blamed for Prince Albert's mismanaged hydroelectric dam project at La Colle Falls. The century old attempt has some very interesting spaces to climb on. Please don't be embarrassed about the time that you unleashed a plague of mosquitos onto our campsite. We hear Manitoba has even less control. But we have to get it a try.

Saskatchewan, don't compare yourself to mountainous Alberta - you've still got the largest inland delta on the continent. Don't be bothered with Onatrio's plethora of professional sports teams - your one franchise has the attention of the whole province. Don't get jealous of Manitoba's glamorous lakes - your river systems are far more practical anyhow. Don't get down on yourself for being the quiet province - people really do like the strong silent type. For us though, it's all about timing.

We feel we are lingering with our rest days in Cumberland House. We both know that in four hours we will have crossed over into Manitoba. We can't delay the inevitable.

So farewell Saskatchewan. Farewell to your rolling wheatfields, living skies, friendly people, songbird filled woods, educational historic sites, ferry crossings, surprise rapids, hydroelectric dams, and resulting man-made lakes. We will always think of you fondly.

So long, Sunny Saskatchewan. You had it all.