Retro Road Trip: Day 7 and The Halfway Point!

by Reb Stevenson on April 1, 2012

Current Location: Portage La Prairie, Manitoba

Kilometres Travelled: 2375

Total spent on gas: $352.86

Total spent on accommodation: $635.54

RAWR!!!!

New strategy: no goals.

Case in point, yesterday we were supposed to hit Brandon, Manitoba but we decided to spend the night in Portage La Prairie instead. So there! It feels good to be a rebel, to revolt against “the man.”

(In this case, “the man” happens to be me)

This trip was meant to be free-spirited, but I found myself sucked into the trappings of the regimented road trip, the “we need to drive all day or we’ll never make it by Easter” mentality. But I’m not doing this to see the country fly by the windows, some kind of abstract montage of pines, prairie and golden arches. I want the freedom to stop and explore on a whim.

So we might make it to Moose Jaw today, we might not. I’m letting go…ohm.

After the long stretches of wilderness in Northern Ontario, the pancake landscape of Manitoba had been a nice change of pace. The driving feelsmore relaxed.

I’m thinking we made a bit of a dining flub in Portage La Prairie last night. A workmate had recommended Jimmy’s Submarine, specifically the “Fat Boy Special” (Jimmy’s not pulling any punches). But honestly, we just couldn’t stomach it. The other recommendation for the Prairies was to go Chinese. Sure enough, there are three Chinese restaurants pretty much in a row on P-la-P’s main street.

Pressed for time, we scurried into Oriental Pearl.

I thought the decor was pretty sweet – it was very dim and very red, also we heard the rare and strangely exotic ring of a rotary phone – but the buffet was populated with the fruits of a very active deep fryer. Fruits…that’s a bit of irony.

We consulted TripAdvisor too late, otherwise we would have known that Dick’s Cafe is in fact theChinese chow of choice in Portage La Prairie.
And so I ask you, dearest, kindest, healthiest readers: where should I eat between Brandon and Medicine Hat? Is there an excellent Chinese restaurant? Or any restaurant that doesn’t serve only burgers and fries? I’m on the verge of qualifying for the “Fat Boy Special.”

Sleep was achieved last night at the Yellow Quill Motel, which featured this welcoming beast with tiny little legs in the office.

Again, this is one of those motels that Comfort Inn addicts may shun, but it was 100% clean and quiet. Sure, there was a print on the wall urging me to accept Jesus as my lord and saviour but we ended up at Chicken Chef Family Restaurant this morning instead of church so I don’t think it was effective.

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