The plains of Canada are gorgeous: seemingly endless miles of yellow flowers in late July/early August as the (very unfortunately named) rapeseed blooms as far as the eye can see across rolling hills.

Well, they are gorgeous for the first few hundred miles. Eventually you start wondering when you’re going to see something else.

This scene is gorgeous for the first 500 miles or so (and it's still gorgeous after that. It's just that you want to see something different at some point).
This scene is gorgeous for the first 500 miles or so (and it’s still gorgeous after that. It’s just that you want to see something different at some point).

Thankfully, somewhere along Highway 16 in Manitoba, Choppy and I were provided just such a distraction. Specifically, in Gladstone, we came across Happy Rock.

Gladstone/Happy Rock. Get it?
Gladstone/Happy Rock. Get it?

Happy Rock is just the sort of tourist attraction I love: something unexpected, large and a welcome break from the road. I briefly mentioned it in a blog post while we were on the road, but I missed the chance then to note important things about Happy Rock. As in, it apparently has its own prepaid Canadian post card and stamp. And there is a rather boring video for the unveiling of the Happy Rock stamp that you can watch here (though there is a hilarious Happy Rock mascot in there, and lots of great Canadian accents, so it’s not all bad). And here are some stats on the statue if you are into that sort of thing.

There is also a bathroom in the statue's pedestal. It's a roadside attraction and rest area all in one!
There is also a bathroom in the statue’s pedestal. It’s a roadside attraction and rest area all in one! (Thankfully, we aren’t getting a demonstration of its use here by Choppy).

Keep up with Travels with Choppy on Facebook and Twitter!

Choppy also has her own Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

You can also follow our blog by clicking the “Follow” link at the top of this page or at Bloglovin’!