They say good things come in small packages. I'm from a small package, well, a small town any way. I have always loved small towns and cities as a result. There is a charm that exists as a traveler, in the ability to visit a town for a day, or even just for a number of hours and feel like you've actually gotten to know someplace new. I've mentioned here before that I love New York and especially Lower Manhattan. But after a hundred visits, I still can't claim to have gotten to know the place. On the other hand, I feel, after less than twenty four hours in Sioux Lookout, that I've got a pretty good sense of the place. And I couldn't be happier about it.

Now, before I go all aglow praising up the place, let me first admit the obvious. Being a GBS member in Sioux Lookout on Saturday was like being a Beatle in 1965. It is a town of just over 5000 people and there were almost 4000 tickets sold for the concert. We were basically handed the town on a silver plate as it seemed every one within a hundred kilometer radius was either working at, had donated wares to, had volunteered for, or finally, was going to the show. From the moment we stepped out of the van and were greeted by friendly folks like Sherry and Craig awaiting our arrival at the hotel, we were treated like Kings. I got the sense that the people we met all throughout the day, would have been as friendly to us if we had been visiting salesmen or someone passing through on one of the many hunting and fishing holidays that Sioux Lookout accommodates.

Friendly folks are the town's biggest asset, for sure, but the sight of the place in the Fall is spectacular. It seems to be in a valley that is surrounded by sloping tree covered hills that were putting on a fireworks show in their fall splendor. One of the many lakes in the area is called Pelican Lake or Lake Pelican or something Pelican related. I strolled along the beach of this lake and as I took in the views of the beautiful homes on the waters edge and the seaplanes breaking the mirrored image of the white birches scattered throughout the woody hills. I felt like I was in a ‘Group of Seven" painting.

We had a great gig and great food backstage and an all around grand time. Well done Sioux Lookout.

Thunder Bay deserves mention here as well. We were lucky enough to play for a sold out crowd and had a grand night in the pub afterwards. The Western Fair was a blast as well, though we never got to enjoy our usual romp through the London night. Next time, I hope.

I can see the lights of St Pierre et Miquelon out the window of the plane. A quick flight up the Burin Peninsula across the isthmus, over the lights of Hollyrood and down into Torbay Airport.

Home again.

Cheers
Alan