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Northern Saskatchewan Fishing Trip: Part 2

Corbin — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:00:37 +0000

I awoke with the smell of last nights campfire covering me, I breathed in, savoring it. I love that smell. The boys and I played catchup with the old man. He was already on his second cup of campfire-coffee, rancid stuff, but good in a pinch. We got our gear hauled back into our water chariot. I scooped what was left of the 3 bags of ice we purchased on the way up, which was maybe 12 cubes total, and tossed it into our cooler. “I’m going to need water” I thought. I had a beaner of a headache grinding through my brains. Damn you beer. Damn you rum.

A Smoky Morning

The boys and I dragged our feet and collapsed off the dock into the boat. Still too tired to function. The old man had a childish smile on his face as he gave the pull-start a yank and let the engine purr back to life. The boat was going in a north-easterly direction, headed towards an area we skipped the day prior. I looked towards the horizon, and commented on how smoky it looked up that ways. One of the boys mentioned that ‘Smoky the Bear’ must be slacking off. We chuckled and continued driving ahead. We had heard reports of forest fires getting pretty nasty way up North but that we were in the clear. Good thing too, as we had some fish to catch.

Trolling, Trolling, Trolling, Rawhide

We started the morning off with some serious trolling, which for you non-fishermen, is when you drag your lines through the water while the boat is gently moving through the waters. You cover more territory this way, and have to cast less, the perfect type of fishing while recovering from a mild hangover. We trolled for maybe 15 minutes when the fish woke up. We began pulling out fish after fish, finding the occasional hot spot where we’d stop for some casting. The fish were practically jumping in our boat. And who could blame them, we had cold beer, a full bag of Sunflower seeds, and a great sense of humour.

Underwater wishes and northern pike fishes

My underwater camera proved useful for fishing. Whenever we’d get a bite, someone would reach for the camera and try to snap a picture or video of the whole event, and if possible, a picture of the battle underwater. We were lucky to get a few good shots. However I should give props to the clear waters up North too. Most of the fishing done in lakes elsewhere would be way too murky to grab a photo of anything but algae.

Lake McLennan Waterfalls

Vince and Tamara, the owners and operators of Bears Camp, mentioned that there were waterfalls nearby. Saskatchewan Waterfalls just has the ring of an oxymoron. But we went along with it, expecting to find some sign laughing at us, or maybe just a small drainage pipe from a nearby cabin. After tripping over a couple of fallen trees, we heard the hiss of water falling and the recognizable splash caused by waterfalls. Holy crap, they weren’t kidding. They’re no Niagra Falls, but this is is photographic proof that Saskatchewan is not flat. Well, not completely.

She’s Gonna Be Cold

We made our way back onto the lake and caught some more fish, had a couple laughs as a few got away. My hangover was just about gone. Knowing perfectly well that cold water almost instantly cures hangovers, I notioned to a nearby crop of rocks. “It’s time”, I told my Dad. He laughed and pulled into a bay where some rocks dropped off into about 12 feet of water. I climbed out of the boat gently and watched as my brothers followed behind. “She’s gonna be cold” yelled the old man. I laughed nervously. I jumped from the edge giving one semi-girlish scream before entering the cold waters of Lake McLennan.

A Cold Dip in the Lake

The cold water stole my breathe, my survival skills kicked in. Don’t breathe in yet, too cold. I began treading water, my temperature cooled, but my breathe came back. Now to just let my body adjust to the water. My older brother Logan jumped in and soaked me, the splash on my face was incredibly cold. We laughed and egged our youngest brother to give’r a go. He laughed and called us idiots, and chose to continue fishing instead. We harassed him until our chattering teeth wouldn’t let us speak anymore. He then brought up what Vince had said about the “One Inch Lake”. He got the last laugh. This time.

Race to the Rocky Island

Logan and I saw a small rocky island in the middle of the lake. We hollered to the old man, “We’re swimming for it”. He laughed, probably preparing to drag at least one body out of the water. Through luck, fate, or possibly our healthy diet (not likely), we both managed to make it to the rocky island. The old man maneuvered the 16 foot tin water chariot close enough to the island that we could step off the rocky ledge, back onto our seats. We swiftly grabbed our towels and a beer. Hangover cured.

The Best Shore Lunch. Ever

It was getting close to 1:00pm when all the bellies on board were loudly telling us that food would be appreciated. We met up with Erik’s boat, the old man’s comrade, and yelled “Shore Lunch”. We followed Erik’s boat to a secluded firepit near a slow moving river and a bearproof cabin. The old man cleaned fish as I dangled my feet from the small bridge that crossed the river. I complimented on the finished fillets. “Nice cutting pops.” I said. He replied in his farmers accent, something he’ll never shake,”This ain’t my first rodeo.”

Butterflies are too manly!

Hot dogs were brought out of the food cooler, along with all the condiments. Ketchup, mustard, and relish, each a necessity for any good fishing trip. We breaded some more fish, buttered a skillet, tossed it on the fire and let the fish cook as we roasted hot dogs and inhaled trail mix by the handful. While the fish was finishing, I did a quick walk around the old bearproof cabin and managed to find a butterfly who was willing to do a photo-op with me. I walked back to the fire, and devoured some of the tastiest Northern Pike and Lake Trout I’d ever consumed.

Last Sunset in Northern SK

We managed to get a few more hours of fishing in before the sun began its descent into the clear glass-like waters of Northern Saskatchewan. We would be leaving early the next morning back to Regina, so we had lots of packing and cleaning up to do. We took a few pictures, watched the sunset in the middle of the lake, and enjoyed the peace and quiet that this remote part of Canada has to offer.

Henry David Thoreau once said “Many men go fishing all their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.” I think those words tie our little adventure together perfectly. We met some great people, who found a passion, followed it, and now call it their life. We made some great memories, escaped the day to day routine, and had a few laughs. It’s memories like this that make fishing what it is.

Check out Bears Camp at Lake McLennan, Saskatchewan, for more information on fishing, boating, and experiencing an affordable Northern getaway.

Northern Saskatchewan Fishing Trip: Part 1

Corbin — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:30:49 +0000

As highway 6 stretched further North, the small towns that were so frequent began to be replaced by lush vistas of the boreal forest. It’s funny how easy it is to forget that there is more to Saskatchewan than just farms and prairies. Saskatchewan is after all larger than France, and nobody mistakes France for being home to only winefields and sexy beaches. Regardless of our own assumptions of what Saskatchewan is, there is a lot more to this province than meets the eye. And I was anxious to dive in.

Why Lake McLennan?

The reason we chose Lake McLennan is that it is one of the furthest lakes up North you can reach without having to fly in. Which as you may have guessed it, can get pretty costly. The owners of Bears Camp strive to make Northern fishing getaways as affordable as possible. Driving in really can save you a bunch here, with float plane flights costing upwards of $1000 per person, it seemed like a logical choice for this time around. Despite knowing we were saving a bunch of money, I couldn’t help but want to see some of the float planes that are used to haul tourists and game fisherman up north. We made a quick stop at Missinipe to keep an eye out for planes departing or arriving. Unfortunately we weren’t so lucky, but I did manage to get some great shots of the parked fly-in planes.

The Arrival at Bears Camp

After 10 hours of driving from Regina, we finally made it to our destination. Bears Camp, located on the beautiful Lake McLennan. Our fishing trip gang included myself, my two brothers, my Dad, his friend, and his friends kids. We were greeted with smiles from the moment we walked through the gates. The rustic look of the camp fit perfectly in this rugged northern terrain. We were shown our fishing cabins, the firepits, the barbeques, and the outhouse, all of which were clean and spacious. We were informed that the only electricity that Bears Camp currently receives is by diesel generator, and the generator only runs during the day. So I made sure to score a quick camera charge before the generator was turned off and we were left in the dark. Vince and Tamara, the owners and operators of Bears Camp, were happy to inform us that if we were to stop by later on in the year that the camp would have electricity, care of some local mining companies putting in the lines nearby.

The valuable Old man

By the time we got settled in it was almost 7:00pm, and hunger was afoot. We threw some bratwursts on the barbeque and began getting our fishing rods ready. To be brutally honest, if it hadn’t have been for my Dad, we’d probably still be there fighting with tangled lines and setting up the rods for the “perfect cast”. Moments like those remind me that us young cats still have a lot to learn from the old man. Combined with his bratwurst cooking techniques, he already proved himself valuable on this trip. Chalk one up for the baby boomers.

Sunset in Northern Saskatchewan

After dinner and dishes, we got a campfire setup and watched as the late sunset consumed the sky and our attention for several long minutes. By the time I had my camera ready all the juicy sunset photos that could have been taken were long gone, thankfully we were left with a full moon that shone bright over Lake McLennan. The sound of loons calling one another from miles away took over the conversation. The loon is one of Canadas many national symbols, this one in particular is found on the one dollar coin, also known as the “Loonie”. We finished off our beers and called it a relatively early night as we planned on saddling up for a full day of fishing.

Wake up, we’re going fishing!

I woke up to my Dad barking at us young kids to wake up and get ready. How is it that as you get older waking up earlier gets easier? I had a mild headache from too many beers the night before, but after devouring some eggs, toast, and breakfast sausages, my million dollar status was just about back to 100%. We packed the 16 foot boat that we rented from Bears Camp with our fishing gear, a cooler with drinks, and a few apples to tidy us over until lunch. A quick splash of this cold northern water on the face was all it took to completely recharge my batteries. We were officially ready to commence fishing. The sun was shining, blue skies surrounded us and we had the entire lake to ourselves.

Sunny Day for fishing

The 25 HP Mariner outboard engine puttered and purred, echoing across the lake. The old man cut the engines in a calm bay that was getting a bunch of sun. “No shame in getting a bit of a tan along with some dinner”, he mused. Without the engine running, the only thing you can hear is the rustle of leaves and the occasional splash in the water caused by our boat or some playful fish swimming about. We casted our lines into the clear water and sat back, relaxing. When you get this far up north you can put your line in just about anywhere and expect to catch something. This location wasn’t any different. The first catch wasn’t anything to write home about, but as tradition goes, we let the first fish caught go free, and casted our lines out again.

Oh BBQ, how I love you.

That night we cleaned our catches and prepared a massive BBQ. We breaded some of our fish, had a ham roast, some diced potatoes and onions, and washed it all down with cold beers. It was an amazing meal. The family, friends, and location complimented each dish fantastically. However, a fishing trip wouldn’t be a fishing trip if you didn’t forget something. In this case, it was a skillet. Thankfully Bears Camp is fully equipped to make your cooking and eating as easy as possible. They’ve got all the BBQ’s in place, along with the proper utensils and some of those heavy duty cast-iron skillets, perfect for frying fish. I’m surprised we weren’t greeted by a whole slew of bears, because this dish smelled good.

Campfires, Beers, and conversations with a local

My brothers and I continued with some drinking, we had another fire and spoke the whole night with Vince, the owner of Bears Camp. He told us stories about life up North, and how different it all is once winter hits. Bears Camp is one of the few places that remains open all year, particularly for the snowmobile crowd and the die-hard ice fishermen. When we asked how cold it’d be if we were to go swimming tomorrow, Vince just laughed and with a grin on his face said, “They call Lake McLennan a one inch lake. Because it doesn’t matter how big of a man you are going in, by the time you come out of that water, that’s all your left with.” Everybody at the campfire laughed, and I made a conscious decision that I was going to try my darnedest to find a good place to jump in tomorrow. Until then, my brothers and I had a whole cooler of beer and a bottle of rum calling our names.

Check out Part 2 of my Northern Saskatchewan Fishing Trip.

Check out Bears Camp at Lake McLennan, Saskatchewan, for more information on fishing, boating, and experiencing an affordable Northern getaway.

Backpack Toronto: Things to See and Do

Corbin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:53:14 +0000

Downtown Toronto

Stay: Most of the city’s hostels are found downtown. Some top rated ones include: Backpackers on Dundas, Clarence Castle and the Canadiana Backpackers Inn.
Visit: Walk to the CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, ROM, AGO, see the Blue Jays, Raptors or the Leafs depending on the season.
Shop: Check out the Eaton Center or if you prefer shopping outside Queen West has many big chains like Club Monaco, Zara and Gap. Chinatown and Kensington Market are great for cheap finds and vintage. Bloor street is for label hounds and designer divas.
Food & Entertainment: The Entertainment district is downtown with the main strip on King West. Check out a musical or grab some dinner all on King or hit a club. Grab some Indian buffet on Queen Street and stop in at Horseshoe Tavern for a live show. If you want to be seen and spot celebs head up to Yorkville and try Sassafraz, the rooftop patio at Hemmingway’s or the street level patio at One Restaurant.

Toronto West End

Stay: Although there are mixed reviews you can stay in the West end at Marigold International Travellers Hostel
Visit: The Art & Design district is found in West Queen West and there are plenty of galleries including the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art.
Shop: West Queen West is littered with boutiques, keep walking up Ossington to find vintage shops like I Miss You Vintage or keep heading west into Parkdale Village for local jewellery designers at Made You Look.
Food & Entertainment: Get some fish & chips at Chippys across from Trinity Bellwoods Park or head up Ossington for some of the city’s hottest restaurants, and then dance the night away at Sweaty Bettys. Parkdale Village has a few theme bars like Stones Place; get cheap beer at the Rhino.

Toronto East End

Stay: There are a couple of top rated B&Bs just before you cross the Don River, but if you are looking for hostels you can try the Leslieville Home Hostel.
Visit: Once you cross the DVP there are few touristy sights, but you can see the Ashbridges family home and Riverdale farm. Or visit two of Toronto’s multicultural neighbourhoods, Greektown and Little India. Even grab some groceries at East China Town.
Shop: Check out The Danforth for boutiques like Tabula Rasa and Social Butterfly. Or stay along Queen Street for more boutique shopping from Riverside, Leslieville and the Beach. I recommend Studio We in Leslieville there are 2 locations one for women and one for men.
Food & Entertainment: Try Lynn Crawford’s restaurant Ruby Watch Co and live entertainment at the Opera House, both in Riverside. Have an afternoon beer on the Patios in Leslieville and the Beach or ice cream and gelato from Eds Real Scoop.

This guest post was provided by Jane from torontoShopoholic.com. torontoShopoholic.com is one shopoholic’s guide to shopping in Toronto, neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Check out the neighbourhood shopping guides, store reviews, giveaways and style guides.

Gone Fishing in Northern Saskatchewan

Corbin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:55:05 +0000

Off to McLennan Lake

It’s been over a decade since I’ve spent any significant amount of time in Northern Saskatchewan. Through luck, fate, or just sheer coincidence, my Dad and two brothers and I have all managed to find enough time off to make the 12 hour drive up north to McLennan Lake for some fishing, camping, and some good old fashion wholesome outdoor activities. Chances are I’ll be incommunicado during this time, but should hopefully have something very Saskatchewan-ish to show by the end of the week.

In the mean-time I’d like to introduce you to Crabman. One of my familys cats. He enjoys escaping from our house and wandering into neighbours houses for naps.

Two discount cards you should carry when traveling in Canada

Corbin — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:27:11 +0000

Backpacking in Canada can be crazy expensive, but if you play it smart, and take advantage of the discounts available to you, you can make the journey quite a bit cheaper. There are countless discounts out there, many places don’t charge children, or offer a decent percentage off for being over 60 years old. But if you’re in your 20’s and you’ve got no kids and have yet to trade your backpack in for a fanny-pack, you might be wondering, what about me? Thankfully there are a couple discount cards out there to make life a bit easier while you’re on the road.

ISIC Card

The international student identity card is out there for anyone 12 years old and up, in elementary, high school, college, university, or any type of post secondary. If you’re a student somewhere, you’re eligible. This card can be used in over 120 different countries around the world, including Canada. Discounts include anything from restaurants, accommodations, flights, tours, and shopping. The cost of ISIC card varies depending on which country you purchase it in, some schools give them away for free, others charge upwards of $20. Regardless of the cost of the card, the savings can be immense. One of the most popular places to save money with the ISIC Card is Via Rail, they offer some great student discounts for anyone considering traveling Canada by train. Visit ISIC for more information. Not a student? No problem, if you’re 26 years old or under, you’re eligible for the IYTC (International Youth Travel Card), which gives you the same great savings.

HI / YHA Card

The HI / YHA Card can come in handy anywhere there’s a hostel that is part of the HI or YHA Network, which as luck has it, is just about anywhere in the world. In Canada there is over 400 different places that accept the card, including every HI Hostel in Canada. On average you save $4 everytime you book a night in an HI Hostel. You might be thinking, couple toonies saved per night, not bad. But here’s when the big savings come in. When you travel by Greyhound with your HI/YHA card you can save 25% off one way and round trip tickets anywhere in Canada. You can also get 5% off any bookings made with Moose Travel Network. Big savings abound, and with a yearly cost of only $35, the card pays for itself after the first couple weeks. Visit HI-Canada Card for more information.

I’m sure there are a few other cards out there worth trying as well, but these are the only two I’ve ever personally had experience with. They’ve treated me well thus far and saved me a bit of coin on travel and accommodation and such, hopefully they can help you out too.

The Ultimate List of Summer Music festivals in Canada

Corbin — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:18:23 +0000

Stone cold fact. Canadians know how to party. It’s been proven time and time again, and with any luck, should continue this way far beyond the time my bones turn to mush and my skin sags to old. One of the amazing things about Canada is the fact that no matter what time of day, or what season it is, there’s bound to be a festival somewhere. However, since summer is such a short season, and one of the only times you can get belligerent drunk and pass out outside without freezing to death, the masses have decided that summer is the best time for music festivals! No matter what part of Canada you’re in this summer, chances are you’re only a few short hours away from your nearest music festival.

Photo by nowhere3

NXNE – North by North East

June 14 – 20 – Toronto, ON

http://nxne.com/

North by Northeast, as you may have guessed it, was based on the South by Southwest festival in Texas. NXNE is a yearly festival in Toronto, Ontario that brings five days of live music, film festivals, and conferences to keep that artistic monster you keep trapped inside at bay. The festival is held each year in June and brings about some of the most creative bands, writers, film makers, and people from all over the wrold. NXNE relies heavily on volunteers for their operations to be a success, so if you’re looking for work, or just to make some friends, you might want to look into this. If you’re big into the arts scene, you’d have to be higher than a kite to think about skipping this one.

Note: Virgin Mobile announced they’re sponsoring a free show with Iggy Pop & The Stooges alongside a huge lineup. Click here for the 2010 NXNE Lineup

Photo by Kweezy McG

Pemberton Festival

Unfortunately cancelled this year – Pemberton, BC

The Pemberton Festival is slash was slash might be again a massive three day summer music festival. Unfortunately festival organizers, Live Nation, have cancelled the last 2 years in a row. However With any luck, the Pemberton Festival might play zombie and RISE FROM THE DEAD! The Pemberton music festival is/was/hopefully will be again a primarily rock and indie rock show, with a dash of hip hop to keep the thugs in harmony. Headlining the 2008 show was Coldplay, Tom Petty, Jay-Z, Nine inch Nails, The Hip, Flaming Lips, and about a billion other bands I feel deserve more credit than the headliners, such as Wintersleep, Death Cab for Cutie, Wolfmother, Sam Roberts Band, Vampire Weekend, Metric, Interpol, Grand Ole Party, MSTRKRFT, and many many more. Despite 2010 being a write-off for this summer festival, maybe, JUST MAYBE, 2011 will have better luck.

Photo courtesy of Cavendish Beach Music Festival

Cavendish Beach Music Festival

July 7 – 11 – Cavendish Beach, PEI

http://www.cavendishbeachmusic.com/

Between July 8th and 11, on the small island of P.E.I, semi trailors full of music gear heard towards the small town of Cavendish to put on a massive country festival. Country music’s favourite TayTay aka Taylor Swift will be there on Saturday, July 10th, while guitar slinging Keith Urban will be bustin chops on Thursday, July 8th. Emerson Drive, The Roadhammers, Little Big Town and Collin Raye are also performing this weekend. The whole shindig takes place between July 7th and 11th.

Photo by Troy Fleece

Craven Country Jamboree

July 15 – 18 Craven, SK

http://www.cravencountryjamboree.com/

Craven Country Jamboree… home of fond memories, blurs, and the occasional hangover. This little prairie town in the middle of Qu‘Appelle Valley becomes one of the largest cities in the province during the weekend of July 15 – 18. Craven is always a sell-out show, so prepare for loads of people, some competitive beer darts, and some honkin tonkin country music. Hands down one of country musics biggest Canadian festivals, and by far its funnest. You don’t have to enjoy country music to fall in love with this festival, if you happen to own a cowboy hat, or fancy yourself a borderline alcoholic, you’ll find plenty to do during Saskatchewans largest summer festival.

Note: Buy the taco-in-a-bag at the Grand Stands, it will sexify your tastebuds like no other.

Photo by coaxeus

Virgin Festival

Multiple Dates – Multiple Locations

http://www.virginfestival.ca/

Virgin Festival is another annual event that typically takes place across Canada. The festival is North Americas take on the UK’s V Festival. They typically aim at bringing in as many big names in pop, rock, and hip hop to center stage in Canada’s largest cities. Strange thing about this one though is I’m not even sure if it’s still going on anymore. I have yet to find a bit of information regarding a 2010 show, so for all I know this one could be done. Then again, many of these so-called “annual” festivals end up taking a year off… *Cough* Pemberton Festival *Cough*. Whatever the case may be with Virgin Festival 2010, if you hear they’re going to be playing in town, be sure to look into it. Last year Toronto’s Virgin Festival had Ben Harper, the Pixies, Franz Ferdinand, Paulo Nutini, Nine inch Nails, The Von Bondies, and a whole bunch more. So keep your eyes and ears peeled.

Photo by Heavymetalmomma

Halifax Rocks

July 24, 25 – Halifax NS

http://www.halifaxrocks.ca/

A newbie but a goodie. Halifax Rocks is coming on it’s second year, and should be a blast. They’ve already announced that The Black Eyed Peas, along with Weezer will be performing this year, as well as a whole bunch of other artists to be announced. This music festival takes place in the Halifax Commons, which to those who’ve never been, is this cool massive park in downtown Halifax. Apparently it’s also the oldest urban park in Canada. This ones definitely one to keep your eye on, if not it, then watch what’s going on in the Commons. For the last few years there’s been a steady stream of concerts and festivals showing here, including Paul Mcartney, The Rolling Stones, KISS, Keith Urban, Sloan, Wintersleep, Joel Plaskett, amongst many more.

Photo courtesy of Evolve Festival

Evolve Festival

July 23, to 25 – Antigonish, NS

http://www.evolvefestival.com/

Evolve festival started off in 2000 as a music and cultural festival, aimed at bringing awareness to sustainable living and current environmental issues. This mega-eco-music-fest takes place in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, just a couple hours drive north of Halifax. Big acts who’ve played here include, K-os, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Xavior Rudd, The Trews, Hey Rosetta!, and many more. Tickets start at $110 for early bird tickets, and what’s a good hippie project without a tree getting planted for every ticket! Woop Woop!

Photo by Doog

Shambhala Music Festival

Augst 6 – 9th – Salmo River Ranch, Kootenay Mountain Range

http://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com/

Shambhala is an anual festival that brings five days and four nights of love, art, and electronic music. It takes place in the Kootenay Mountain range, located in British Columbia. Shambhala’s been going on since 1998 at the Salmo River Ranch, and has grown to become one of the largest electronic music festivals in Canada. With six different stages, each with their own theme, you can wander from stage to stage, bumping into people wasted on fun, love, friendship and perhaps even some mild substances. This festival is one of those lesser-known festivals that wants to keep its underground image as much as possible. However after attending, you’re going to have a tough time not talking about this one. You’re bound to meet some characters here and make some great new friends.

Photo by dragswolf

Osheaga

July 31 – August 1 – Montreal, Quebec

http://www.osheaga.com/

The Osheaga Music & Arts Festival is a two day festival in the beautiful french metropolitan city of Montreal. It’s held each year on Ile Sainte-Helene in the Parc Jean-Drapeau. Osheaga Festival, and Montreal in general, always seem to be able to bring in some superb acts. 2010 Osheaga takes place between July 31st and August 1, and will feature Arcade Fire, Weezer, Metric, The Black Keys, Pavement, The Nationa, and Gaslight Anthem. Is there a reason not to go? Heck no!

Photo by quack.a.duck

Calgary Stampede

July 9 – 18 – Calgary, AB

http://calgarystampede.com/

The Calgary Stampede is a big one, but a good one. Considered by some as a drinking marathon, the Calgary Stampede runs for 10 days every summer, typically the first or second week of July. The Calgary Stampede is a massive combination of Music Festivals, Parades, Rodeos, and exhibitions of Alberta culture. It is the worlds largest outdoor rodeo and features an internationally recognized competition to boot. If you’ve never done a rodeo, this is where it should be done. Queue the country music, find yourself a cold brew, and be prepared for Chuckwagon Races, Cowboy hats, Yeehaws, and a whole buncha live music. The Calgary stampede attracts over a million visitors to Calgary, and usually has just over 300, 000 in attendence. The Calgary stampede has been going on in one form or another since 1886, so they’ve had well over 100 years to get it right. If you had started to think that the farmlands of Canada have little for culture, arts, and community spirit, chances are the Calgary Stampede will trample those thoughts. Then poo on them. Go cow patties!

Photo courtesy of Dawson City Music Festival

Dawson City Music Festival

July 16 – 18 – Dawson City, YK

http://www.dcmf.com/

Dawson City Music Festival has been bringing tunes way up North since 1979. If you were planing on doing the Yukon, this is a great way to start it all off. With three days of music, many in different venues, you’ll get a good tour of the city, along with hearing some superb Canadian and international acts. This remote part of Canada has an exciting history behind it, plenty to see and twice as much to do. Dawson City Music Festival kicks off on Friday afternoon with a free concert at the Gazebo on Front street, and closes Sunday Eve at Minto Park.

Folk on the Rocks

July 16 – 18 – Yellowknife, NWT

http://www.folkontherocks.com/

Every Summer, on the shores of Frame lake, Folk on the Rocks sets up six stages and puts on one of the biggest festivals in the North West Territories. For three days, festival go-ers are treated with world class music from all over Canada and the world, along with a cultural area, where you can check out the local arts scene. Food-lovers shall rejoice as international and traditional food find their way into the festival. Wash down the music, food, and art with a cold one at the fan favourite Beer Gardens, where you can try some of Canada’s favourite beers. Each year Folk on the Rocks brings roughly 25 artists to put on this massive show. Recent artists who’ve set foot on stage include Buck 65, Sam Roberts, Digawolf, Old Man Luedecke, and many more.

Photo by Quiplash!

Winnipeg Folk Festival

July 7 – 11 – Winnipeg, MB

http://www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca/

In the early weeks of July, hype around the Winnipeg Folk Festival rises and rises. The tension is instantly blissfully released as the first chords are struck on the festivals stage. Located in Birds Hill Provincial Park, the Winnipeg Folk Fest brings music performances, a folk school, programs for young artists, a food village which specialize in the use of local, organic, and fair trade products. Come evening, thousands of people find their way to the main stage to partake in some world class music, while taking in the prairie heat Manitoba so generously offers each summer. On top of the great music, great food, and great people, the Winnipeg Folk Festival was the first event to be officially certified by the Canadian Environmental Choice Program as an eco friendly festival. To even consider naming some of the artists in this festival would be next near to impossible, as there’s been hundreds of superb artists to have played over the years. There’s plenty of volunteer opportunities around the Winnipeg Folk Fest too, so if you’re looking for a way to see the festival without having to pay for the ticket, theres a good chance your hard work can get you in.

Photo by Kronick_

Ottawa Bluesfest

July 6 – 18 – Ottawa, ON

http://www.ottawabluesfest.ca/

If the upcoming 2010 lineup isn’t enough to bring you to this summer music festival, I don’t know what is. The 2010 lineup includes heavyweights RUSH, Weezer, Keith Urban, Santana, Arcade Fire, The Flaming Lips, The B-52s, Great Big Sea, and a whole slew more. The Ottawa Bluesfest is a 3 day festival with multiple stages, showcasing everything from pop, rock, blues, r&b and just about every other genre in between. They aim at bringing a diverse variety of music to the festival, which in turn brings in people from all walks of life. This massive shindig takes place in downtown Ottawa Ontario, in LeBreton Flats Park. The Ottawa Bluesfest is the largest blues festival in Canada, and second largest in all of North America. If you’re anywhere near Ottawa during the second week of July, you’d be off-your-rocker crazy not to to look into tickets.

Photo courtesy of Hillside Festival

Hillside Festival

July 23 – 25 – Guelph Lake Island, ON

http://www.hillsidefestival.ca/

Another three day, multiple stage event (5 to be exact), that takes place during the summer in the fine city of Guelph, Ontario. The festival takes place near the shores of Guelph Lake, and apparently this festival is one of the reasons why Guelph is in the big list of Top Ten places to live in Canada. Due to the insane amount of success the Hillside Festival has had in recent years, the Festivals committee started a second annual festival, Hillside Inside. However, the REAL meat and potatoes still takes place during late July at the Hillside Festival, so by all means aim for the summer festival, your party bones won’t regret it.

Photo by Earle Macdonald

New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee

July 31 – Aug 2 – New Glasgow, NS

http://www.jubilee.ns.ca/

Find your way to the picturesque scenery of Pictou County, Nova Scotia, in the middle of summer, a festival of massive proportion is constructed, showcasing the talent of East Coast Musicians, Canadian Artists, and International acts. For those who have trouble coughing up $200+ dollars for a weekend festival, cringe not fellow cheap friend, for the Riverfront Jubilee weekend pass’s go for a mere $45! This festival takes place on the East River, and promises to deliver some great music, and great fun, without the huge dent in your bank account. On top of the cheap tickets, somehow the New Glasgow Riverfront Jubilee still manage to bring in big names, along with some mega talented up & comers.

The Havelock Country Jamboree

August 19 – 22 – Havelock, ON

http://www.havelockjamboree.com/home.html

The Havelock Country jamboree is another big ol’ fashion ho-down gone extreme. This massive country music jamboree is held annually on the third weekend of August between Thursday and Sunday. Some big names who’ve played include Randy Travis, The Road Hammers, Corb Lund Band, George Canyon, Travis Tritt, Clint Black, Aaron Tippin, and a whole slew of other cowboys. The Havelock Country Jamboree is one of Canada’s largest country music festivals, come rain or shine, sunburndt or muddy, you’ll have a riot here.

Whats your favourite summer festival in Canada? If I’ve missed any crucial or memorable festivals, please be sure to comment!

Big win for Backpacking in British Columbia

Corbin — Mon, 31 May 2010 14:56:26 +0000

Chalk one up for the backpacking scene in British Columbia, Hostelling International has unveiled yet another hostel in Canada, this time boasting a 188 bed hostel in Whistler, B.C.

This four storey hostel

is found in the new Cheakamus Crossing subdivision, that was originally set out for athletes housing during the Winter Games. The 188 beds are spread across over 40 four-person shared rooms, private ensuite rooms, and family rooms. It includes the much-loved self-catering kitchen, along with dining room, tv lounge, games room, state of the art ski, snowboard, and bike storage, outdoor decks along with everybody’s fave, the BBQs. The folks at H.I topped it all off with an on-site cafe and an outdoor patio (with sprawling mountain views) along with free Wifi for us traveling geeks!

The New HI-Whistler Hostel opens July 1st, so book soon to beat the summer rush! Shared rooms start at $30, and private rooms at $99.

If you’re in the area consider reading up on some of the many things to do in the Rocky Mountains

Map to the New HI Whistler Hostel

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI-Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel

Corbin — Tue, 11 May 2010 00:43:22 +0000

Numero huit mes amis! It would be sheer lunacy to ignore some of the amazing hostels found a little further off the beaten trail. One of these rare beauties is the Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel, yet another amazing HI-Canada hostel. Tony Chatham was kind enough to give us a few answers along with an amazing description on what you can expect when you book a night in the famous Castle Mountain Hostel.

Q: How long have you been operating your hostel?

A: I have been running HI-Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel for eight fabulous years.

Q: Tell us about your hostel?

A: HI-Castle Mountain has two dorms, one for 14 guys and another for 14 gals, both with their own bathrooms .The beds are very wide and comfortable, a bit like Via rail some say, the only difference is ours don’t move.

There is an excellent equipped kitchen for 28 people, 2 fridges, 2 ovens, a microwave, out door barbeque, cozy lounge with a wonderful fireplace, front loading laundry, incredible water that is the equivalent of spring water. Indoor toilets, hot showers, electricity, phones, cell coverage are some of other features we have that folks that travel the chain of hostels down from Jasper look forward to when they arrive at the Castle.

Q: Tell us about the area your hostel resides in?

A: A food store and gasoline bar is available across the road. In the surrounding area, within a short drive of the hostel there are three superb restaurants that all offer something special in Canadian foods.

Our fire pit sits beside Silverton Creek with a stunning view of Castle Mountain in front of you. We are surrounded in a true wilderness setting, with streams, trees, and fields of flowers. There are frequent animal sightings of bears, moose, elk, deer, coyotes, wolves, lynx, and pine martens. The best time to be here for the flowers is from last week in June to the 1st week in August. The bouquet is out of this world.

Castle Mountain is halfway between Banff and Lake Louise, near the intersection of Highway 1A and Highway 93 south.

Q: Does your hostel offer any activities or help book tours for it’s guests?

A: The Castle area offers outdoor enthusiasts a wide range of adventures, from hiking alpine trails to skiing at nearby resorts or right out the door on groomed X-C ski trails. Cycling is some of the best in the world along the Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A). Popular Trails in the area are Castle Mountain, Stanley Glacier, Boom Lake, Johnson Canyon, Castle Mountain Lookout.

There is extra room for luggage and bike storage. Plenty of tourism info available for those who want to know what’s going on in the Rockies. Linen is included and of course the parking is free.

Once it’s dark and the skies are clear we offer a wee trip out to look at the stars. I usually track the satellites and the space station and we time the outing with the passing of the space station, which can be quite spectacular considering how bright the station is and how dark it is in our neck of the woods.

If you need a bed anywhere in our hostel network than we will help to book that for you. Or if there is something special in the area that needs doing and you are interested but are not sure what you need, we can help make the right choice to match your sense of adventure.

HI-Castle Mountain is the perfect size to get to know your fellow hosteller. The hostel has musical instruments, a great selection of music, lots of games, a super outdoor library, along with many good reading nooks in our lounge with its huge windows.

Q: How much does it cost for:

A: Dorm prices for members is $20, non-members $24

HI Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel Website

HI Castle Mountain Hostel

The junction of HWY 1A and HWY 93 South in Banff National Park

1.866.762.4123

Despite how hard these rugged hostels can be to get to, if you have the opportunity to stay at the Castle Mountain Hostel be sure to do so. It may involve some serious hiking, some hitching, some cab sharing, or just meeting the write people heading in the same direction. Whatever the case may be, getting out of the city centres and into the Canadian wilderness can be a great reminder of why you’re backpacking in Canada.

Top 7 Must-Have Foods for Camping Trips

Corbin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 04:20:30 +0000

Bush Pie

Bush Pie may not sound like the most delicious type of food you would want to be scarfing on in front of a fire, but you couldn’t be more wrong. Hands down, Bush Pie is one of the most crucial pieces of food to make any camping trip a success. With its crisp outside and the insane amount of things you can put in them, they’re like the gift that keeps on giving.

What is a bush pie? It’s basically bread, and filling of your choice, stuffed inside a cast-iron bush pie maker, and cooked over the fire until delicification has reached maximum. Allow me to elaborate:

What you’ll need

A Cast iron bush pie maker – Found at any Canadian Tire or Outdoor and Camping Supply Store

A loaf of bread (because 2 slices will barely cut it for one person)

Butter or Margarine

Bush Pie Filling – This can include Cinnamon Spread, Nutella, Pie Filling, Chocolate, Marshmallows, Nuts, Meat, Chili, Cheese, Vegetables, the choices are endless

How to make bush pie

Spread a good amount of butter or margarine on 2 slices of bread

Place the bread in bush pie maker, buttered side down (think grilled cheese effect)

Place a couple tablespoons of filling on top of one side of the bread

Close bush pie maker which should push 2 slices of bread together with the filling on the inside

Place over fire or in the coals until finished

Open Cast-iron bush pie maker and devour

Note: Keep a close eye on it while it cooks, doesn’t take long to burn

Marshmallows

Marshmallows have become part of a staple diet of campers for decades, so it should only make sense that this fun and fluffy food should be included in this list. Roasting Marshmallows has become an art form over the years. Some choosing to abandon all rules and burn their white fluffs of magic into a charred piece of ash, others choose the gentle but affective roasting technique which results in crispy caramelized marshmallows.

Quick fact – North Americans eat about 90,000,000 pounds of marshmallows per year.

Marshmallows basically consist of Sugar, Water, Corn Syrup, and Gelatin. Just a heads up for all you vegetable-liking vegetarians, most brands will be off-limits for you, on account of the Gelatin, which as you may or may not know is made of animal hides and bones. I’ll be the last to judge you if you do decide to cheat though. Who can blame you. Marshmallows fricken’ rock!

Wieners

One of the most commonly misspelled words in the English language is also one of the most popular foods to bring on a camping trip. The science behind a good wiener is pretty sound.

Jam wiener onto a sharp pointy stick.

Ensure it’s on there good, the last thing you want to do is drop your wiener in the fire.

Keep a good distance between the flame and your wiener, the last thing you want to do is burn that sucker.

Slowly rotate your wiener to ensure an evenly cooked piece of meat.

Place wiener in a bun or in your mouth.

If you’re feeling extra crazy, use ketchup, mustard, and relish to make your boring wiener into a gourmet wiener.

Enjoy.

Beans

Cheap, flavourful, and extremely easy to cook over the fire, a can of beans can go a long way when your camping. Tasty any time of day, and with several flavours to choose from, you shouldn’t get bored of them all that quick. I personally suggest having at least two different types of beans. A morning can of beans, and an evening can of beans. The most logical type of morning beans you can eat, would be the famous Quebecois Beans, which are essentially a normal can of beans, however instead of the regular tomato sauce, you’re treated with delicious maple syrup! Then come evening time, when you’re gut is telling you “It’s bean time!“, you open up that other can of beans, which will be the classic, yet tasty, Beans in Tomatoe Sauce. Remember to bring a utensil though. Do NOT drink the can of beans if the can just came out of the fire. You will burn your lips. Trust me.

S’Mores

S’mores take some serious work, so be prepared. However the hard work, sticky fingers and sticky clothes will all be worth it for the 2 minutes of enjoying one of the best campfire foods out there. These take a few more ingredients, so be sure to hit up the grocery store on your way out of town.

What you’ll need:

1 box of Graham Crackers

A bag of marshmallows

Some chocolate (The flat, hershey type of chocolate works best)

Directions:

Roast marshmallow to perfection

Place piece of chocolate on top of one Graham Crack

Place gooey marshmallow on top of chocolate-cracker-combo

Sandwich the other Graham cracker on top

Enjoy

Shish kebabs

Shish Kebabs aren’t on everybodies list of camping foods, but if you’ve got the time, money, and patience, you can whip up an unforgettable meal that your friends or family will talk about for weeks to come.

What you’ll need:

Skewers

Cuts of meat – Steak, Chicken, Pork, Lamb

Semi-crisp vegetables – Peppers (ie Capsicum), Onions, Mushrooms, Tomatoes, Cucumbers

Some salad dressing

Directions

Soak skewers overnight in water with a dash of salt

Soak vegetables in a bowl of salad dressing

Stab meat and vegetables onto skewers

Separate some hot coals from the fire into a corner of the fire pit

Place two large sturdy stones close together

Place shish kebabs over the gab created by the stones

Spin occasional to ensure even cooking

Note: Ensure you’re meat is fully cooked before serving

Beers

Chances are you’re going to get the thirst by the time your tent is set up. It’s futile to fight this sensation. I’m not sure exactly why the smell of the outdoors and campfires makes people crave booze. It just does. Fighting this feeling will only result in overindulging in food, which in turn could lead to the same bodily function caused by alcohol, vomiting. So grab a case or two for the weekend, find a cooler, cold lake, river, or stream (to keep your beer cold), and kick back – relax. Enjoy the sights, smells, and tastes.

Note: Be careful when it comes to drinking around campfires. They have a horrible tendency to burn whatever they touch. And as tempting as it is, avoid performing the ‘Superman’ over the bonfire if possible.

My friend Rob, after too many drinks and a superman attempt.

Camping in Canada: Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Corbin — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:33:55 +0000

Find your way to the west coast of Canada and be prepared for some of the most scenic views in Canada. The Pacific Rim National Park has a rugged ocean coastline and hundreds of kilometers of dense rain forests, perfect for hiking and camping. This luscious area is one of British Columbia’s most popular National Parks. The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a hefty 511 square kilometers and is made up of three regions, Long Beach, The Broken Group Islands, and the West Coast Trail. Wherever you decide to stay, I guarantee you’ll have a tough time leaving.

So you coughed up the $50 for the ferry ride to Vancouver Island, you’ve got your camping gear, now what? First off, you’re going to want to decide what you’ll be doing during your stay in the Pacific Rim National Park. This is going to be a tough decision. So choose wisely!

Things to do in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Because this national park is so incredibly massive, the availability of activities really depends on where you plan on staying. Some of the few activities that are possible in just about every region include Bird Watching, Fishing, and Whale or Sea Lion Watching. Personally, that seems like a lot of sitting and watching. If you want a little more adventure and want to work up a sweat. You’ll be glad to hear there are more options to choose from.

If you happen to be in the Long Beach area

So you’ve decided the Long Beach area is where you want to be huh? Lots to do in these parts. There are several licensed commercial tour operators in this area, so if you’d like to have a guide show you around, this is something you might be interested in. However, if playing the roll of “Lonewolf” better suits your personality, you’ll be happy to hear that there are numerous hiking trails and beaches around to gather your thoughts and stretch your legs. The Long Beach area is the only region that allows for bicycling in the area. However they do recommend you keep it to the beaches. If getting wet and salty is more your style, The Long Beach region is a great spot for ocean kayaking and canoeing. Most padddlers choose to launch from Grice bay when the tides are high. This gives you the best chance of spotting some of the large marina animals in the area. Just be warned, watch the tide! During low-tide, Grice Bay becomes a big mudflat and you might find yourself grounded. Parks Canada advises paddlers to read the tide tables before launching.

Find your own piece of paradise in the Broken Group Islands

This wild and lush chain of islands is perfect for any boat and marine fanatic. There are countless places to hike and hundreds of hidden coves and bays to explore. Over 5000 paddlers come here during the summer to take it all in. The one place that you should watch out for is the Loudoun and Imperial Eagle, as these can be the most dangerous places to find yourself paddling through. Locals typically advise visitors to avoid hauling out the canoe or kayak for these areas as the weather has the notorious habit of changing on a dime, causing the water in this area to be more unpredictable than a drunken prom date. It definitely helps to have a boat in in this region, so this area might be a little tough to do for those with only their backpacks on their backs.

Take on the rugged West Coast Trail

The West Coast Trail is the mecca of hiking trails in Canada. It’s been proud to proclaim itself the Best Hike in the World (according to BestHike.com) since 1999. So for those who don’t know, the West Coast Trail is a 75 km (47 miles) long backpacking trail that follows the south western edge of Vancouver Island. It’s typically open between May and September, however be sure to double check as damage to the trails by weather has been known to delay opening dates.

Quick fact: The west coast trail was originally designed to save shipwrecked survivors. Rescuers and survivors would use this trail to find their way back to civilization.

If you happen to find the guts to tackle the West Coast Trail, you’ll may or may not find comfort in hearing you’re not alone in the forest. Wildlife in the area include cougars, bears, wolves, whales, sea lions, along with hundreds of types of birds. So using your good judgment in this area should be on the top of your list of things to do in and around here. If you don’t plan on doing the typical 6 days hiking the trail, there are also day hikes available in the area.

Park Fees

As with just about any National Park, you can expect some camping fees to be included in your little escape from society. A daily entry will set you back $7.80, however if you plan on camping, expect to pay between $17.60 and $23.50, depending on amenities included in your campsite. If you plan on taking on the West Coast Trail, the cost is $127.50 per trip. For more information on prices, head to the Parks Canada Website

If you’d like more information, you can call the Pacific Rim National park Reserve at (250) 726-3500 or call for a camping reservation at 1-8877-737-3783.

Campsites

One of the most popular campsite in the area is the Green Point Campground, which is located on Highway 4 between Ucluelet and Tofino. There’s plenty of RV and Campervan sites as well as lots of private sites for those tenting it. Each site has a picnic table and fire basket. There’s some great scenic views in this area and the beach is just a short walk from the campgrounds.

If you’d like to find a campground around Tofino there are a couple options:

Bella Pacifica Resort & Campground
400 MacKenzie Beach Road, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0‎ – (250) 725-3400‎

Tofino Campground
1850 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC‎ – (250) 725-3314‎

If you’d prefer to find a campground near Ucluelet there is:

Ucluelet Campground
260 Seaplane Base Road, Ucluelet, BC‎ – (250) 726-4355‎

Surf Junction Campground
2650 Tofino – Ucluelet Highway
Ucluelet, BC V0R 3A0 – (250) 726-7214

Camping in the Broken Chain islands has recently stopped, due to the cultural significance of the area to the Tseshaht First Nations. However visiting and paddling through the area is still allowed, so given the chance, you should try to see these parts.

Remember to dress for the weather while visiting the west coast. Vancouver Island can go from one extreme to another, so be sure to have some warm clothes for the night, along with any rain gear you think you’ll need. Despite the potential wet and cold, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is one well worth exploring. It’s a great launching point for checking out some of the hiking trails, beaches, and the famous Tofino Surf. Vancouver Island has lots to offer the budget traveller, and the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is just one of the many gems in this group of islands.