Around Estevan

The next day, Jackie took me to an interesting site about ten miles outside Estevan – La Roche Percee.

It is large sandstone outcrop that has been sculpted by the forces of erosion.

One of the outstanding formations was the arch known as La Roche Percee. At one time, there was a town nearby that took its name from the formation.

Some of the formations remind me of old fashioned haystacks.

This one kind of reminds me of a profile.

Bob Hope’s profile, perhaps?

We scrambled around the rock formations looking for petroglyphs.

The rock was once nearly covered with precontact carvings of animal, human and geometric forms thought to have been created by Siouan speakers. Historical accounts state that the Nakota (Assiniboin) regarded the site as sacred, never passing the rock without leaving offerings. Erosion and later carvings have taken a toll, leaving only a few carved pits and some red ochre staining as evidence for First Nations use of the site.

Are these pre-contact carvings? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Some of the shapes remind me of petroglyphs I’ve seen in other places.

Of course, people who came along after contact with European explorers wanted to leave their marks as well.

As much as the more recent additions seem like graffiti, they are now part of the historical record.

There were little windows to look through.

There were small rooms that I imagine were popular with people throughout the ages.

I was taken by this surface. I can’t imagine how it weathered like this. It reminds me of elephant hide.

I do enjoy interesting rock formations!

At one time, there were homes and ranches in the area. Flooding caused people to have to relocate. There were ranches. Now you can see the strip mine debris in the background.

I was fascinated by the piles. I always wondered what was involved in strip mining.

Eventually, grass and plants reclaim the piles. I took the photo through the car window. You can see the reflection of my Oregon tee shirt in the glass.

After a day of running around, it was time for dinner.

 

PFK? Not KFC? Well, Canada is a bilingual country. PFK is Poulet Frit Kentucky. Of course, I suppose they just use the initials like we do in the States.

After dinner, it was time to bid adieu to my hosts, Jackie and Harvey.

And, of course, if there is no photo, it didn’t happen. But there is a photo, so it happened.In the morning, it was time to head back south of the border. Thank you for the hospitality, Jackie and Harvey!