Janus - 2. Geographical Comments

The geographically inclined may be confused by the locale of this story. Two Canadian provinces were carved out of the greater North West Territories in 1905: Saskatchewan and Alberta . The division was politically motivated in much the same way the two Dakotas were created. One potential division plan was to retain the original three administrative regions of Alberta , Saskatchewan and Assiniboia. A great portion of northern Alberta and northern Saskatchewan would have remained as part of the Northwest Territories. I tend to set many of my stories in this alternate universe. I do this as an act of whimsy, but also as a way of freeing myself from preexisting geography and contemporary world history. The party occurs on a farm overlooking the great lake formed by a dam on the South Saskatchewan River in the vicinity of Elbow. My city of St. George is the capital of Assiniboia and sits where Moose Jaw lies today. Medicine Hat, Alberta lay on the western side of the District of Assiniboia so it is in the alternate Province of Assiniboia. Being on the South Saskatchewan river and lying in the center of an oil and gas field, it has become the prominent urban center for the province. Every alternate universe has a significant point of departure. The significant point in my universe was the decision in the 1880's to lay the Canadian Pacific Railroad main line through the northern park belt (the original plan) and not drive it across the less fertile southern short grass prairie. I could go on, but only a Western Canadian familiar with the history of the region would understand or be possibly interested.