The Giant and the Mobster

“Go to Willowbunch, birthplace of Canada’s tallest man,” the camper told Coleen.

And so yesterday, we were the first, early-morning tourists knocking on the convent door that has swapped out black-robed nuns for prairie relics in this tiny town. A whole room was dedicated to the story of Edouard Beaupre who grew to the fantastical height of 8’ 3 inches. Died at the age of 23, touring as part of the Ringling Brothers freak show. A shortened life for a tall man.

Down the road, Moose Jaw delighted us with secret downtown tunnels, Al Capone’s Prohibition era connection to the city’s whiskey trade, and dozens of murals in the historic city centre. Gorgeous old brick and stone buildings with dates going back over a century carved into lintels. And of course, an independent bookseller. What’s there not to love?Read more