Day 4: Grand Forks, ND to Steinbach, MB

The first night in the RV was great. Travelling is so tiring that we are sleeping like babies, especially with eye masks and ear plugs. Of course, it happened: a thunderstorm rocked the RV in the middle of the night, but we barely noticed it.

So off to Canada we go! But before Canada we encounter miles and miles of corn and soybeans. Suddenly, as we are crossing the border, it all changes: we encounter kilometers and kilometers of corn and soybeans, along with canola, sunflower, and other UFOs (Unidentified Farmed Organisms). There is definitely more diversity on the other side of the border.

We forgot to mention the presence of Drayton along I-29 in North Dakota, also known as The Catfish Capital of the North. North of what? Louisiana probably. Who would have guessed?

Happenings at the border:
- Do you carry some alcohol or cigarettes?
- Mmmm. We do have some bottles of wine.
- How much?
- Mmmm. A couple.
- You need to be more specific.
- Mmmm. 2-3.
- Do you carry any other alcohol with you?
- Mmmm. Some rum. Some vodka.
- I don't like when you use "some" in your sentences. Be more specific.
- 500 ml of rum and 500 ml of vodka.

We finally arrive at our final destination of the day in Steinbach, MB, one of those areas filled with Mennonites. After meeting Mark, our Mennonite host for the  night, we go to the Mennonite Heritage Village by bike. Good timing as this week-end is marked by the Pioneers Day festivities, which makes our visit rhythmed by the sound of a country band and the smell of warm waffles. While we're going through the old houses and shops in the preserved village, the sky turns black and 56 seconds later, it's raining like cats and dogs, and a bunch of other animals. We find ourselves trapped inside an old farm building with no lights, along with some insects and a mice that are seeking shelter. It's 6pm and the village is closing. A man stops by the building to close it up, and brings us back to the main building until it gets better. We have just enough time to chat and find some common acquaintances with an older lady that is closing the counter at the village shop. Jared, the man that saved us from the furious rain, offers to give us a ride back to Mark's place, with our bikes in the back of his pick-up truck. He gives us a small tour of town, talking about the famous local farmer's sausage and showing us the best place in town for coffee.

Back at Mark's place, there is a feast waiting for us at the table: a local Mennonite feast with farmer's sausages (Mennonite AND Hutterite style), pierogis and verenikis smothered in Schmauntfatt, New Bothwell cheese curds, butterhorns, veggies and fresh fruit. All of that accompanied by great discussions and lemonade.