This past Thanksgiving was hands down one of the most memorable I’ve ever had. I convinced my old man to take some time off work and join me up north for some fall horseback riding in the boreal forest. The goal was to catch sight of the 400+ free range plains bison that roam Prince Albert National Park. Little did we know how close we’d end up getting.

These brick-walls of beasts have had a tough go, yet despite their near extinction, they seem to be thriving in Prince Albert National Park since their re-introduction in 1969. They’ve come a long way since the first 50 were brought back. That’s partly due to the preservation efforts of Gord Vaadeland, Founder and Executive Director of the Sturgeon River Plains Bison Stewards. That’s only one of his gigs, he’s also the ED of CPAWS-SK and Watershed Awareness Coordinator for Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification. Say that 3 times fast… (Can’t be done!)

I got in contact with Gord while I was still in Halifax and asked if he’d be keen on showing me around his parts. He gladly obliged, and within weeks we had a unique tour of the area setup, which included Horseback Riding the western part of Prince Albert National Park in search of the bison, and sleeping in a traditionally built tipi at Ness Creek.

A short 6 hour drive from Regina got us near Big River Saskatchewan. We pulled into Sturgeon River Ranch and were finally introduced to Gord. I soon learned that his skills extended beyond being an outfitter, a cowboy, and a bison steward. Turns out he’s also a bluegrass musician, and a bit of a TV Celebrity (What’s up Mantracker!?). We all hit it off and it wasn’t long before we had the horses in the trailer and ready to roll.

Welcome to Prince Albert National Park

We pulled up to the edge of Prince Albert National Park and saddled up. It’d been a couple years since I’d ridden horse, but I managed to shake the cobwebs after the first mile or so. Gord led us through trails that wove through birch and spruce, our horses powered through the thick. Watching Gord lead us slowpokes, I couldn’t help but think “Shoulda found a cowboy hat!”. That thought was interupted as I was forced to dodge a low hanging branch. I chuckled to myself, “Keep cool Corbin, pay attention…”

Our horses began to slow down, and suddenly became a bit nervous. You could feel the tension in the air. These horses knew something was up a ways. We all stopped in our tracks. A gentle breeze blew through the trees, the sound of rubbing leather mixed with the loud breathe of the horses made that moment feel like it lasted a lifetime. Gord whispered “They’re up there. You hear that?”. Large crunching snaps echo’d back our way.

We slowly pressed on, nobody said a word. We didn’t know if we’d get a second chance to spot the bison up ahead. As we continued through the trail, the bush got thicker. Gord lead us in the direction of the breaking trees. We slowed down again, and Gord explained “We usually recommend people keep a safe distance from the bison. If you can cover them with your thumb, you’re close enough. But since you’re with me, we’ll be using our elbows and putting that thumb a little closer to your face, which means we’ll be getting a bit closer. Hope that’s okay!” I nodded my head with a huge smile “Of course!”.

Spotting the Wild Plains Bison

The sound of snapping trees got louder, but the bush was so thick you could hardly tell how close you were. Gord offered to hang onto our horses to see if we can get a clear photo. I climbed off Applejack (a trustworthy steed if I may say so) and nervously moved toward the sound of wild bison. My old man was right behind. Creeping towards the bison soon became a game of “Oh yea? I dare you to keep going!” I’d take one step, my Dad would take two. Soon we were lookin in the eyes of at least eight free ranging plains bison (there may have been dozens more behind them). We couldn’t have been more than 30 feet away from the small herd.

A final tree snap stopped me dead in my tracks. I looked at my old man and made eye contact, implying “If they move, I’m so out!” Several grunts and loud thumps on the ground forced me to take a step back. Then two. I looked up and blue skies and birch trees surrounded us, making a fast escape nearly impossible. Their noises progressively got louder, and I decided I had enough of playing chicken with thousand pound bisons. Another grunt & crack, and I was out! “Only gotta be faster than the guy behind you” I remember hearing. We laughed as we got back to our horses, blown away with what we’d just done. Needless to say my Dad gave me a hard time for backing out before him.

I was completely speechless as I tried to thank Gord. “Awesome. Wow!”. He laughed and said “I didn’t realize how close you guys were!”. He laughed as he handed us back our reins. Had that been anyone else I’m sure he would have Clint Eastwood stared us so bad for getting that close. But Gord seemed to trust us. Nothing like having a cowboy on your side!

Long Meadow – Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan

We pushed forward, following a few rough trails. Gord warmly told us about the history of the bison and shared some of the incredible preservation work being done with bison. This man is clearly passionate about his work. Who else but a Saskatchewan Patriot would come out on Thanksgiving Day to show a couple outta-towners around. As the conversation died down, the scenery opened up. A natural clearing called “Long Meadow” greeted us.

It was a breathe of fresh air to see the flatlands again and to set my eyes on the big blue sky. As we entered the meadow a White-tail deer skipped back into the cover of the trees. We followed Gord and picked up our pace. Just a few prairie boys wandering the land by horse. We stopped a mile or two up the meadow as Gord pointed out some moose antlers. A mile up and he stops to point out another sign of wildlife. The remains of a bison.

Bison Remains

He explained what makes Prince Albert National Park so different from all the rest with one word. “Predation.” There’s a couple wolf packs in the area that hunt the weak, injured, and the old. It’s a common sight in the park. It’s pretty wild to think that something could actually take a bison out.

We stopped for lunch in the middle of Long Meadow and Gord continued to share stories. The mans got a bunch, but you’ll have to book him yourself to hear them all. The horses fueled up on wild grass while we gorged on sandwiches and some of the best home made cookies I’ve ever had. Then it was back in the saddle.

Another herd of Bison

A few miles up we had our second encounter with another small herd of bison. Once again they were hidden in the trees. If my camera had a fist, it would have been shaking it vigorously at them. I wanted to see them in the wide open, but I suppose it wasn’t meant to be! More the reason to come back again!

It was coming on the 5th hour of riding, and the sun was just beginning to set. We had one last leg of trails to hit before calling it a day. We found our way onto a rough dirt road. Gord explained that a lot of these roads were actually started by the Bison. When people started showing up in the area, they picked up where the bison left off and turned the rough trails into drive-able roads.

Stoney Plain Meadow – Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan

Our fearless leader wandered into rougher terrain. Steep hills and fast slopes was the name of the game. Rocks, trees, and the odd patch of mud reminded our horses not to stumble. The horses pulled through with ease, and we soon found ourselves on top of a hill, overlooking Stoney Plain Meadow. Gord pointed out where his family’s land was and we enjoyed the start of sunset. Good company, great ride, and one helluva view. The definition of a great way to end the day!

Back at Sturgeon River Ranch

We loaded up the horses and dropped them off at Sturgeon River Ranch. I bid farewell to my new four legged friend Applejack and thanked Gord for sharing his wealth of expertise. He gave us directions to Ness Creek and said he’d meet up with us shortly. We drove 20 minutes on gravel roads and eventually found the right road.

Ness Creek Awaits

As we pulled into the Ness Creek grounds, you could see that it was a place for artists, free thinkers, and eco-friendly community leaders. The craftsmanship in everything from the signs, to the cabins, to the pieces of outdoor art located throughout the grounds make you stop and think “I wish I did more stuff like this!”

We turned the bend and saw our accommodations for the night. Standing in the middle of a field was a traditionally built dakota tipi. The wooden poles pierced the orange sky, a light breeze blew the doorway gently. I stopped in my tracks to stand and take it all in before snapping a photo. Wild bison, a full day of riding in the boreal forest, and now a night under the stars. I thought to myself “I have this moment to be thankful for.”

Big thanks goes out to Gord & the Gang at Ness Creek for showing me around their little slice of heaven. If you want to see more wildlife photos be sure to check out the Bison Stewards Facebook Page. Same goes with the Sturgeon River Ranch Facebook page! Stay tuned for an upcoming post on Ness Creek, in the mean time, check out Gord Vaadeland’s appearance in Mantracker.

Horseback Riding in Prince Albert National Park with Sturgeon River Ranch [Photo Essay] is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Studies were eventually done on the water in Little Manitou Lake. They discovered several things. The water in this lake is 5 times more saline than the ocean, making it almost half as dense as the Dead Sea. In total, the gravity of Little Manitou Lake’s water is 1.06, which allows for some incredibly easy floating, even for you non-swimmers.

On my recent travels throughout Saskatchewan I was driving towards Saskatoon but was being completely thrown off schedule with a sudden rainstorm. The storm had gotten to the point where driving was beginning to get dangerous. It was my intention to check out Little Manitou Lake anyways, but I wasn’t sure exactly for how long, nor what I’d find. As I pulled into town I realized there was enough to see and do in town to warrant taking a half day off driving, and hope for the rain to pass.

Little Manitou Lake, Saskatchewan

I drove through the small town of Watrous (5km from Manitou Beach) & made my way slowly down the hills towards Manitou Beach, one of Saskatchewans oldest and most unique resort towns. As I parked my vehicle, I casually strolled towards the sandy beach. The wind and rain made for thousands of small waves covering the entire lake. Grey skies were all around, yet despite the lack of colour, the area was still beautiful. Foam caused from the crashing waves and salt water algae covered parts of the beach. Despite the cold weather & occasional burst of rain, I removed my shoes and socks and dipped my feet in.

Pins and needles soon forced me to get out of the frigid waters to seek warmth. I figured I could find that up the road so I proceeded to walk. The rain picked up again, and it was then that I realized that my rain jacket wasn’t nearly as waterproof as it was supposed to be. I was soaked to the bone. Thankfully my camera was protected in its bag, but I didn’t have that luxury. I made my way around around a couple bends in the road and then suddenly the rain stopped. As I turned one last bend I saw it. Danceland, Home of the world famous dance floor built on horse hair.

Danceland, Home of the World Famous Dance Floor Built on Horse Hair

I wasn’t sure if they’d be open, but I saw one vehicle parked near the hall and hoped it was one of the owners. I strolled up with camera in hand, and gently pushed the creeking screen door open. It was pretty dark inside the dancehall. Concerned I might be breaking and entering, I warmly called out “Hello?”… Out of the kitchen came both of the owners. Arnold and Millie Strueby introduced themselves and were happy to show me around. Within minutes we were talking about the history of Danceland.

The first dancehall was built in 1919, then rebuilt as “Danceland” in 1928 as one of the first dance floors built on top of horse hair. I was completely lost about this whole Horse Hair shenanigans, thankfully the Strueby’s explained its purpose. Dancers can apparently go for hours without getting sore due to the bounce caused by the horse hair. They say when the dancehall is full you can actually see the floor bounce. Danceland still uses the original 5,000 square foot maple hardwood floor that was installed in 1929.

There has been countless owners throughout its history, and a huge variety of acts have played on stage at Danceland, including Wilf Carter, Don Messer, Bobby Gimby, Mart Kenny, and my personal favourite, the Inkspots. Back in those days it was common to get big names in town. At the time there was nothing like Manitou Beach, and trains were coming in and out of town bringing in loads of people.

Despite its age, Danceland has this jaw dropping feel about it all. You can’t help but stare in amazement at the structure of the building. Everything from the lights, to the beams, to the sheer size of the building, you can’t help but smile. Danceland continues to operate to this day. They’re open year round, with dances on Friday and Saturday, followed by Gospel shows on Sunday. There’s buffets, weddings, social events, you name it! It’s a pretty wild little Saskatchewan gem, and stepping onto that Horse Hair infused floor, you can’t help but want to shake and jive.

I said farewell to the owners who encouraged me to warm up in the Manitou Springs Spa. It was still drizzling outside so I figured “What the hey! Why not?”

The Manitou Springs Spa & Resort

I grabbed my swim trunks from the car and wandered into the Manitou Springs Spa. I decided I’d pass on the swedish stone massages and facials, and just skip right to floating in the mineral rich waters. As I finished changing I realized I probably shouldn’t be creeping about a spa with a camera in hand. I can’t imagine I’d get anything but strange looks from people, and who wants to get kicked out into the rain. I decided it was safer to lock up my gear and just relax.

After a quick shower, I slowly eased myself into the hot and murky lake fed mineral waters. There was maybe 12 other people in the pools, and I was quite visibly the only person below 55. I laughed it off and decided to give this whole floating gig a try. I dunked my entire body, and within micro-seconds I bounced back up. It was like swimming in a new breed of water. I felt alien, light, almost hollow. This 1.06 gravity thing was completely blowing my mind. I spun onto my back and let the water do all the work. Heal me water, heal me good!

What’s in the mineral water?
Grams per Gallon

• Magnesium Sulfate – 308.38
• Magnesium Bicarbonate – 63.42
• Sodium Sulphate – 50.92
• Potassium Sulphate – 116.62
• Sodium Chloride – 1405.60
• Calcium Sulphate – 104.96
• Oxide of Iron & Aluminum – 0.28
• Silica – 0.69

After almost two hours of floating I was a mineral infused prune. I wandered out of the water and decided I had to risk it. I needed a picture. I unlocked my gear, and did a dash. As I entered the pool area with a camera I got one weird glance, but nobody else seemed to notice. I quickly snapped, and realized my camera was fogging up like crazy. I had to hope for the best that one of three photos would look okay.

As I left the Spa I felt like a new man. I was completely relaxed, stress free, and ready to hit the road to continue my journey throughout Saskatchewan. Manitou Beach is one of those strange aging gems in Saskatchewan. It might not be as popular as it was back in the day, but there is still plenty going on in the area. If you’re heading north from Regina to Saskatoon, you’d be crazy not to stop and check it out.

For more information on Manitou Beach check out The Watrous Manitou Website.

Relax in the Little Resort Town of Manitou Beach, Saskatchewan is a post from: I Backpack Canada

1. The Wanuskewin Restaurante – First Nations Food with a Modern Twist

One of the first things you’ll notice as you walk into the Visitor Centre is the clean and beautiful decor of the building. However, you’ll soon be distracted by the second thing you’ll notice. The food! The Wanuskewin Heritage Park has it’s very own restaurante which serves an assortment of traditional and non traditional first nations food. They serve everything from Rabbit Stew, to Wild Rice Salads, or if you want to play it safe, try their incredibly delicious Bison Burger. But don’t forget to order a plate of Bannock to spread an unhealthy amount of butter and jam on. What better way to start a hike & a tour than on a full stomach.

2. The Historical First Nations Artifacts & Art Pieces

The museum & gallery in the Visitor Center of Wanuskewin has a variety of beautiful and incredibly fragile pelts. The art and craftsmanship that went into every day to day item used by the First Nations people is astounding. Each item has this strange ability to take you back to a time when these items were necessary for survival. When these historical items were designed and built, I’m sure the First Nations had no idea they would end up on display. They were tools, yet here they are behaving very similar to how I see the art hanging on the walls. It’s easy to forget there’s more to Wanuskewin than old items & ornate pieces of first nations art.

3. The Bison Pounds

It’s been long known in the First Nations community that Wanuskewin was a place of gathering and of spiritual healing. In the 1980′s archeologists began to confirm these findings with a multitude of incredible finds. One of my personal favourites was the remnants of several Bison Pounds. A Bison Pound is essentially a wooden gate that First nations hunters would use to hunt bison with. Thousands upon thousands of wild bison would stampede, and upon seeing these wooden gates, would be confused and disoriented. In an attempt to go around these blockades they would be guided to their fate at the bottom of a Buffalo Jump. I don’t care how many animals you’ve skinned, even the bravest warrior had to have been scared trying to herd stampeding buffalo off a cliff.

4. The Traditionally Built Tipis

Wanuskewin has several large tipis errected around the park which allow visitors to see what it would have been like to live in one. They’re an incredible piece of human ingenuity. Knowing that the tradition and knowledge of how to build Tipis has been preserved and handed down throughout the years, despite the pain and suffering the First Nations have gone through, is heart warming. If you plan your visit to Wanuskewin appropriately, you can actually get the opportunity to watch an elder setup a tipi as well.

 5. The Trails to Archaeological Finds

There are 4 very scenic trails you can take as you exit the Wanuskewin Visitor Center; however, if you have an extra couple of hours in your day I highly recommend doing them all. They can easily be done as long as you’re in relatively good shape. I confess I did have sore legs after the entire hike; but nothing I wasn’t able to walk off. The scenic trails include

“The Trail of Discovery”

which takes you from the ampitheatre to the first bison pound and the Tipi Village. As you continue uphill, you’re given a scenic panorama of the Opimihaw Creek which includes seeing almost the entire Wanuskewin Park. As you finish the Trail of Discovery you’re able to connect to the “Path of the People” for a few minutes, which then turns into the “Trail of the Bison” (My personal favourite) as you climb uphill in an eastern direction.

“The Trail of the Bison”

On the “Trail of the Bison” you’ll see this massive Bison Rubbing Stone along with some of the most beautiful grasslands. Further on you’ll see several small cliffs that drop down to the Saskatchewan River. The vista at the top of this trail is breathtaking to say the least. The prairie harsh winds make it difficult to stay up there long, but the view is second to none. As you loop around the “Trail of the Bison” you’ll reconnect with the Path of the People.

“The Path of the People”

This path gives you the opportunity to explore the lush vegetation along the Opimihaw Creek and take in the dry valley walls. This leads eventually to the Juniper Flats, a dry desert like area that seems oddly foreign after walking through the flatlands then a lush wetland. The Path of the People eventually leads to the “Circle of Harmony”

“The Circle of Harmony”

This particular trail leads to some incredible archeological finds and some more great views of the area. Expect to find a tipi ring, a medicine wheel, and another bison pound. There’s a very interesting history behind the tipi rings and medicine wheel (or sacred hoop). If you’re really into the spiritual side of history, this will no doubt be a great place to stop and absorb your surroundings.

6. First Nations Hoop Dancers

As you finish the last of the trails you’ll no doubt be aching to sit down for a bit, which gives you the perfect opportunity to learn about and witness the famous First Nations Hoop Dance. This dance is incredibly old, and has been past down from generation to generation. The skill and finess behind it is simply amazing, words really don’t do it justice. If you’re brave enough the kind dancers will even show you some of the basics.

Have you ever been to Wanuskewin? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

For more information on Wanuskewin be sure to check out their website!

6 Reasons You Should Visit Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatchewan is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Driving through the Saskatchewan prairies can at times feel like you’re completely alone in the world. You begin to notice things. Things you might have overlooked, things you might take for granted. You notice your head swivelling slowly, scanning the horizon and looking for something, but you’re not sure what. When your eyes spot it, you pull over. Jutting out of the miles of flatlands is a wooden skyscraper.

The Saskatchewan Grain Elevators

While they may not break any world records for building height, and they sure aren’t the most sophisticated pieces of architecture. They’re different. And they’re disappearing one at a time. The Grain Elevators of Saskatchewan are an endangered species. What was once a common sight across Saskatchewan has now become an opportunity to see an era fade into the history books. Something people may someday see in pictures but never get the opportunity to see with their own eyes.

Chasing Prairie Skyscrapers

During my recent travels throughout Saskatchewan I made an effort to find as  many of these dying creatures as I could. The Grain Elevators of Saskatchewan offer a unique look at an important time in human civilization. These wooden castles helped feed the world. Before elevators, grain was hauled in bags and towed by horse and carriage. The idea of modern farming we see today didn’t begin until the late 1800′s with the invention of the Grain Elevator.

Wood Mountain Elevator

The Elevators are in my blood

My Grandpa was one of the thousands of labourers who helped construct the Grain Elevators in Saskatchewan throughout the mid 1900′s. He died at a fairly young age due to lung complications caused by breathing in mass amounts of grain dust throughout his life. This was a danger that was unknown back in those times. While I never really got to know him, I do know that some of the elevators built with his hands still stand today. Others he worked on have met their fate on the ground which they proudly stood over for decades.

The Grain Elevators Are Vanishing

In the 1930′s there was said to be over 3,300 grain elevators in Saskatchewan. That number has plummeted to roughly 450 in recent years. It’s my hopes that more will be done to protect and preserve these unique pieces of Saskatchewan history. Unfortunately they’re being demolished at an alarming rate due to concerns for safety and cost of maintenance. Some call them Tinder Boxes, others call them an Eye Sore; however, there is growing support to save them. Many communities are coming together to protect them.

Protecting the Prairie Elevators

It’s an uphill battle, but the local Saskatchewan community is coming together to try their best to protect the grain elevators. The Western Development Museum in North Battleford currently has a working 1920′s elevator on display. Several small communities have also converted their elevators into museums and restaurantes. Rural communities with a strong enough voice continue to partner with the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation to save their local elevator. This problem of the disappearing elevators isn’t unique to Saskatchewan. Alberta & Manitoba face the exact same problems.

Morse Elevators

The Prairie Skyline is Changing

Time is running short for the prairie skyline. Most of the wooden-cribbed grain elevators are showing wear and tear. The province of Saskatchewan is changing fast. Rural areas are growing smaller and smaller while the 5 urban city centres of Saskatchewan continue to grow each year. In response to this exodus, ghost town’s continue to be born.

I fully understand that there is no way for all of the elevators to be saved. Times will always be changing, and newer elevators are needed in order to meet the demand of a growing population. However, these elevators are a piece of the past, and a past that in my eyes is worth preserving. There is really no time like the present to see and photograph what’s left of the Prairie Skyscrapers. Chasing them can become an addiction and can easily be the basis to one of the greatest Saskatchewan road trips you’ll ever take.

For more about the problems facing the Grain Elevators check out the National Film Board’s documentary “Death of A Skyline“. I managed to find it online on Vimeo, and while it’s a little dated, you do learn a lot more about the locals plight. Be sure to check out some of the demolition videos, its oddly depressing to see them fall.

Chasing Prairie Skyscrapers across the flatlands of Saskatchewan [Photo Essay] is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Country Roads, Take Me Home

On my recent trip back to my home province of Saskatchewan I decided it was time I get photographic proof of my explantations. My solo mission through Saskatchewan was to be a rediscovery of my home province. I made sure to take in parts of Saskatchewan I hadn’t seen in years, and some I’d never seen at all.

Drive South on HWY 6

Driving south from Regina will gradually take you through a sequence of topographies. Now you might be laughing at the use of the word “topographies” while describing Saskatchewan. “Isn’t it pretty flat there?” is the typical response from someone who’s never seen much of the prairies. Sure, we’ve got a few hundred thousand square kilometers of flatlands, but there’s more to it than that.

Rolling Prairie Hills

After roughly 2 hours of driving south, you’ll come across the rolling prairie hills. They’re still farmed like the flatlands, and still feel like “Saskatchewan”, but these hills have an uncanny ability of stealing your attention. As you continue driving, these rolling hills turn into something totally different. The fields of wheat, canola, and barley begin to disappear as you arrive in one of my favourite regions of Saskatchewan. The Big Muddy Badlands! Even saying it aloud makes you feel like a cowboy.

The Big Muddy Badlands

The Big Muddy Badlands are located along the Big Muddy Creek and extend all the way to Montana. They’re located inside the Big Muddy Valley. This unique valley is 55 kilometres [34 mile] long, 3.2 kilometres [2mile] wide & 160 metres [520 feet] deep. It’s one of the driest and most rugged regions of Saskatchewan.

What Goes on in the Big Muddy?

Bandits! Well, there used to be bandits. Back in the late 1800′s and early 1900′s the Big Muddy Badlands formed the northern tip of the Bandit Trail. This trail was used by world renown horse bandits Sundance Kid, Dutch Henry, Pigeon Toed Kid, Coyote Pete, and my personal favourite, Sam Kelly (more on him in a later post).

Nowadays the Big Muddy is known for its Horseback riding, cattle ranching, farming, and some of Saskatchewans most exciting highway drives. The rocky cliffs and carved out valleys are so foreign after hours of flatland, that its hard to believe you’re actually still in Saskatchewan.

It’s easy to get distracted in the Big Muddy. I had to remind myself that I was here for a reason. I was trying to find Castle Butte, a 70 meter relic from the ice age; similar to Uluru (In Australia), only on a smaller scale. I had stumbled upon it years ago online and decided I had to check it out.

Finding Castle Butte

One would assume that it’d be easy to spot, but it’s actually surprisingly tricky to find. Highways in this part of Saskatchewan can be tough to navigate, signs tend to be few and far between. While some may find this to be a minor inconvenience, I quite enjoy getting lost and finding my way back onto the correct path. It typically leads to a few self deprecating laughs.

Turning onto Highway 34, south of Bengough, I finally see a sign indicating I’m on the right track. I drive through a texas gate, and begin to wonder if I’m trespassing on someones property. I ignore that thought and continue on. Signs don’t lie, do they?

Thar she be!

As the gravel road curves, I spot it. Looming over the dry pasture land is Castle Butte. I snap a few pictures from afar and continue on. As I drive up the winding road a welcome sign greets me. I park my car at the base of the ancient monument and look up.

Welcome to Castle Butte

Gazing up at this massive prairie goliath I laugh in excitement. I start by doing a full lap around the perimeter of Castle Butte, deciding whats the best route to begin the climb. As I complete the full 360 degree circle I realize that the first walkway up was the best. Before setting out to climb, I decide to check out some of the small caverns that have been erroded into the sandstone & clay.

A Small Saskatchewan Cave

I climb into the darkness, using the flash of my camera to see how far this Saskatchewan cave goes. It appears to narrow out at about 12 feet at which point it stops. The cave juts in and out at all angles, making for an awkward crawl. I bump my head twice and rub the location of impact. I’m clearly not cut out for spelunking.

Ryan Was Here

I feel my way out and spot several carved names inside the cave. Looks like “Ryan” beat me here. I exit the tiny cave and breathe a sigh of relief for not being crushed to death by Castle Butte. The sun is still shining and this giant piece of rock is calling my name.

Commencing the Climb

I began climbing, carefully stepping between crevices, hoping with each step that I don’t lose my grip and roll to the bottom. The first half of the climb is mostly just a steep walk. As I get about halfway up it picks up in difficulty. While it’s by all means not the toughest climb, there are a several spots that require all four limbs and a decent balance.

Pause & Picture

I paused to catch my breathe and snap a couple photos as I approached the top of Castle Butte. Looking back down below provided an incredible view of the Big Muddy Badlands. I smiled and pushed on. ”Only 15 feet or so before I’m able to comfortably stand and relax.” I thought to myself.

King of the Castle

I reached the top of Castle Butte and pulled myself up. As I regained my posture I commenced the first among many 360s. The vista that was before me was a mix of prairie flatlands, harsh rocky cliffs and badlands. The blue sky above shined down on what had to be one of the warmest fall days in Saskatchewan history.

I snapped a few photos and found a spot to place my backpack. Just as I was about to relax my phone began kicking off in my pocket. I laughed to myself “Looks like I’m back in cell phone reception“. I opened a newly received email from my Grandma. “Hows the trip going?” she asks. I decided to take advantage of the reception and send her a few photos and explain exactly where I am, knowing she’ll get a kick out of it. Bernice is awesome that way!

I must have spent nearly an hour on the top of Castle Butte. During that hour I didn’t see a single human soul. Not even one car drove by. The closest thing to company was a small herd of black angus cattle a couple miles away who would occasionally hollar out “hello” to me. Sitting on the top of Castle Butte I said a quick thank you to the last ice age for being so awesome and carving this giant monster out of the prairies. This relic of a landmark is hands down one of the coolest places I’ve ever been to in Saskatchewan.

Note: Castle Butte isn’t pinned on Google Maps yet  so I managed to use my phones GPS to grab the coordinates and mapped them below. This might be the only modern map to Castle Butte so use it wisely. If you get lost there are a few service stations in the area that might be able to offer directions. The town of Coronach is the tourism hub for this region so they should be helpful as well.

Exploring The Big Muddy Badlands & Castle Butte [Photo Essay] is a post from: I Backpack Canada

So this weeks video was shared to me on Facebook by the awesome folks at Tourism Saskatchewan. In this video Robert Reid (US Travel Editor for Lonely Planet) travels to my hometown (Regina Saskatchewan) and finds out what it takes to be a Mountie. Robert, if you ever read this, high 5′s for this video and the awesome moustache. It gave me a solid guffaw.

Be sure to watch & read more about Robert Reids adventures on his personal blog Reid On Travel.

Sunday Canadian Travel Video – Full Mountie – Lonely Planet in Saskatchewan is a post from: I Backpack Canada

However, the time you spend getting to destinations, you make up with these picturesque moments. Moments where you catch a hint of orange fighting with blue in your rear view mirror. Moments where you’re behind schedule and you have no choice but to pull over, sit on the hood of your car, and take in the scene in front of you.

Sunsets blow my mind. All sunsets. Doesn’t matter where I am, they typically rock. But there’s something a little more magical about those in Saskatchewan. Maybe its the fact that there isn’t any mountains or large hills blocking the view. Maybe its the dust that farming machinery kick up into the sky. Or perhaps it’s the fact that you can be on the shoulder of a highway for almost an hour without having seen a single other person. It can feel like this sunset in front of you was made specifically for you. Whatever the reason, a Saskatchewan Sunset has the power to move.

Those Saskatchewan license plates couldn’t be more right. “Land of the Living Skies”

Photo Du Jour – Sunsets, Power Lines, and Saskatchewan Silhouettes is a post from: I Backpack Canada

I’ll be arriving in Toronto first to meet up with my friend, and fellow travel writer, Natalie Taylor of Near Afar. Together, we’ll be exploring and writing about Ontario’s famous Algonquin Park. We’ll be doing a bit of camping, some canoeing, and several hours of driving through the countless lakes and trees. Be sure to follow along, We’ll have several live tweets and photos coming through the interwebs.

Follow @ibackpackcanada

Follow @nearafar

After exploring Ontario, I’ll be flying back to Saskatchewan. I’ve got some big plans on showcasing the diversity and sheer awesomeness of my home province.  I’ll be checking out some of the national parks in the area, along with several rural areas of Saskatchewan. I don’t want to show my entire hand on this one as I have several awesome ideas for posts, so you’ll just have to come back and see for yourself.

Once again, be sure to follow along on twitter, expect photos! Lots of ‘em!

Westbound to Ontario and Saskatchewan is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Tofino is a surf town at its very core, and its a great stop for backpackers. There’s a couple Hostels in town, and plenty to see and do. Tofino’s a great spot for first-time surfers. If you have a little more experience you’ll have to chat to the locals to find the fear-inducing locations. Be sure to book ahead in Tofino as accommodation in the summer is pretty limited. If things are full, don’t be afraid to check out Ucluelet, which is a great alternative to Tofino.

Video by Canadian Tourism

Sunday Canadian Travel Video – The Surf Lifestyle in Tofino BC is a post from: I Backpack Canada

In June I had the opportunity to participate in my first TBEX, (Travel Blog Exchange). TBEX ’11 was held in Vancouver British Columbia. Thousands of writers, bloggers, and PR folks met to discuss business at large and share a few cocktails. Near the finale of it all, many of the bloggers were invited to hang out on a yacht like a bunch of millionaires.

Millionaires we are most certainly not. But scoring photos like these, sometimes I wonder if I should be. (Ha!)

I’m still considering biting the bullet to attend TBEX 2012 in Colorado, but I’ll have to see where exactly in Canada I am around that time.

Will you be at TBEX 2012?

Photo Du Jour – Downtown Vancouver Skyline is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Located in Southern British Columbia near Kelowna, the Okanagan Region is roughly two-thirds the size of Belgium. There are a bunch of award winning Vineyards in the area, hundreds of fruit orchards & some amazing lakes & rivers for swimming and fishing. The dry desert climate in this area makes it perfect for growing all types of fruit. The fact that this place actually has cactus growing wild completely blows my mind, which just adds to the exotic factor of this location.

Ever been to the Okanagan? How awesome is it!?

Photo Du Jour – Kalamalka Lake in the Okanagan Valley is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Which reminds me…that name for this series of posts doesn’t make a lick of sense. “Photo Du Jour” –  Haha. I’m definitely not sharing a photo every day, if anything it should be “Photo Du Semaine”. Ah well, doesn’t have the same ring to it; and if anyone says anything I’ll just say I suck at French.

Enjoy!

Photo Du Jour – Hometown Sunset, Regina SK is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Friendly Staff with smiles to boot!

Entering the HI – Banff Alpine Centre with the rest of my Moose Network group; everyone was aching for a shower and a stretch. It had been a long few days and any bed would have done. The friendly staff checked us in with their familiar Aussie accents; Banff is funny that way. It’s totally normal to be greeted by a Kiwi one minute then a Brit the next.

Sleep in your own Wooden Cabin

I hauled my backpack in the directions I was given by the desk staff. Outside the doors and along a paved path, a small wooden cabin greeted me. As I opened the door, I dropped my bag with a loud thud. A smile wider than the prairies stretched across my face as I scanned the private room. My smile evolved into a dropped jaw as I closed the door and proceeded to dance better than Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, and Justin Timberlake combined. It was a shame I didn’t have a single audience member to witness it.

Big Comfy Beds

Two queen sized beds, a small flat screen tv, a leather couch, hardwood floors, and a private bathroom. The quiet of the room made me start talking to myself. “Corbin, you are one lucky s.o.b!” It was hard not to jump into bed right then and there; but I had plenty to do that evening. Instead, I opted to test out the shower; which rocked. I spruced up a bit, and ran to meet up with the rest of the group.

A Pub, Restaurante and Cafe all under one awesome name

As I walked to Cougar Petes (the Hostel Restaurante), I couldn’t help but think about how incredible this hostel is. Amazing views, awesome private rooms with all the amenities you’d expect to find in a hotel (at a fraction of the cost), and a downtown-ish location that can’t be beat. As I sat down to eat and took a bite of the Chicken Caesar Salad I ordered, I knew this was going to be a favourite hostel of mine from this point forward.

Luxury Private Rooms are the bee’s knees

This type of room would be perfect for traveling couples of any age, or even if you’re just backpacking with a couple friends and need a break from the dorm rooms. The spacious rooms and comfy beds would please the most spoiled travellers. This hostel is living proof that hostels can’t be painted with the same brush. Luxury does exist in hostel form. Do yourself a favour, and enjoy it when you find it.

Have you ever come across some luxury backpackers or hostels?

Luxury Hostels Exist In Banff – HI Banff Alpine Centre is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Sunset Timelapse (2010) from Matthew Garand on Vimeo.

Sunday Canadian Travel Video: A Saskatchewan Sunset is a post from: I Backpack Canada

While I was staying at the Kelowna Samesun Hostel, I ended up having several drinks with this young Australian guy. He was 23 years old, staying at one of the local hostels in downtown Vancouver. Right in the heart of all the mess. We got talking and he gave me his entire story on how he saw things go down. He wants to remain anonymous, but he agreed to let me share his story.

The following will be written from his point of view.

We Just Wanted A Photo

I was watching the game with a few friends I’d just met that day, and after the loss we were hearing from people that riots had broke out. Word got out that things were getting crazy around Georgia Street, and that a car had already been lit on fire. Looking back, the next decision I made probably wasn’t that smart, but beer & curiosity will make you do crazy things. We left the hostel in hopes of getting a quick photo of the riots, something to say “we saw what happened the day the Canucks lost”.

Photo Credit: Andy Liang

A Run In with Riot Police

We made it up to Georgia Street, and saw what was left of one car. Burnt metal, smoke, and a cluster of crazy people screaming around it. We snapped our picture and stayed a few minutes, watching. We figured things might get crazy quick, which made us think we should probably get back to the hostel quick. As we were making our way back, we were met by a line of riot police in full gear. Tear gas was shot out at the crowd. We ran down a small street to try and avoid the chaos and get out of the line of fire.

The next street over we see another band of crazies. Some guy was hammering away at a Hummer. I said to someone nearby “All this over a trophy?”, and was given a reply by one of the rioters. “The Canucks lost! Vancouver has to burn!”. His eyes screamed that he sincerely believed this. Through the kicks to cars, we saw someone trying to light the Hummer on fire. They had rags hanging out of the gas tank in hopes that they could light the petrol up. It didn’t work, which only pissed them off more. Eventually someone showed up with some flaming pieces of wood. They threw a bunch of fire underneath the hummer. We took a couple pictures, then figured we should go. Quick. Things were progressively getting more insane. More rioters joined, even less crazy ones who just wanted to smash something.

Intimidation with Shields & Batons

As we run from the Hummer fire scene we heard an explosive boom. We heard through the herd of people that the Hummer had exploded. At this point we were barely able to move. People were everywhere. Up the road more riot police held their ground. People were kicking their shields, throwing rocks, and screaming at the Riot police. The Riot Police faught back with intimidation, smashing their batons against their shields. More tear gas came out, this time in heavy doses. It was getting hard to see and breathe.

We found a small alleyway and ran down it and lucked out. We ended up near the back entrance of our Hostel. I walked out onto Granville with my hands up, and my hostel key out in hopes that people will know I’m not a rioter and just a tourist in the whole event. A police in riot gear told me to get out of here, it’ll be another three hours at least before things settle down. At this point I was thinking I’m screwed.

We went back to the alleyway and began hollering up at hostel windows. We finally caught the attention of someone in their room and told them we had dorm rooms there. We showed our keys, and they told us to just go around front. We told them that everything was boarded up, police aren’t letting anyone through, and we have nowhere to go. The people in the window said to wait there. They’d look for help.

Tear Gas Begins to Thin Out

We waited for 10 or 15 minutes before one of the higher-ups at the hostel let us through the back door after we showed him our keys and confirmed we were who we said we were. I made it back, washed up, and watched the rest of the scene unfold over the TV and looking out the window. Tear gas thinned out, the fires went out, people cleared the streets, and the city looked like it had seen the end of days.

I kept thinking how crazy things got so quick. Just a couple days ago I was high-fiving the entire city of Vancouver. Then this happened. My entire faith in this city I had been visiting for the past week had been totally lost. I was already planning on leaving the city soon; however, this confirmed that I needed to do so quicker.

Then I Awoke

Then something mind-blowingly surreal happened. I awoke the next morning and found the city clean. The glass, the debris, the remnants of the fires, all completely clean. It was as if the whole ordeal never happened. I asked at the front desk how this happened and was told that thousands of volunteers came out after things died out and helped clean up.

Boarded with Love

Shattered windows were boarded up and had already begun to be drawn on. Messages of hope. Messages of anger. Messages of love. “This is OUR city, thx to every1 who helped clean up!” – “I love Van” – “Solidarity Forever” – “Vancouver people are beautiful”. Within days those boards had filled up, there was hardly any room left to write on. Supporters sold white pieces of fabric for people to paint on with proceeds going to the cleanup of Vancouver.

A Heart Warming Sight

Seeing the city come together after an event like that is incredibly heart warming. The people behind the riots weren’t true Vancouverites. Sure, people got caught up in the mess, but from what I saw, these people were planning on rioting win or lose. Whatever the case may be, thats how I saw things. It was crazy. I’m just happy I made it out alive.

There’s a Peace Rally planned for Saturday June 25th to honour the Paramedics and Police who helped keep Vancouver Safe. See the Vancouver Spirit Rally Facebook Page.

Big thanks to my anonymous Australian pal for sharing the details of this with me. Were you in Vancouver for the riots? Please share your story.

An Australian Backpacker Caught In The Vancouver Riots is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Kayaking with Natural Escapes

The girls from Natural Escapes Kayaking took the group through a crash course of kayaking, which included proper paddling techniques and even some basic lifesaving assistance. Very thorough, I thought to myself. I can’t think of how many times I’ve gone kayaking with people who weren’t given a lick of instructions on what to do if somebody flips. It was reassuring to the whole group that we were in good hands.

Photographic Echos

Sunshine clawed its way through the clouds and warmed the black paddle in my hands. I pushed forward through the water and felt the mountain breeze across my face. I let my hand drag through the glacier fed lake and thought how great this place was. I guiltily broke the peace and quiet of this tranquil location, “Hey Candice, picture!”. My travel amigo struck a pose and laughed. The beeping camera noise seemed to echo off the water.

Lake Wildlife

Our Kayaking guides informed us that this tiny lake was home to the elusive painted turtle, a couple of beavers, and even a resident bald eagle. Everyone on tour with Moose Network paddled from corner to corner of the lake in hopes of finding some wildlife. The beavers remained in hiding, as did the bald eagle; however, turtles were spotted, as was a blue heron, and we even had a local deer stop by to say “What’s up!”

Goodbye Kayaks, Hello Vistas

We parked our hand crafted water chariots after touring the entire lake. Smiles were exchanged as we bid our farewells to our guides. The BC sunshine lead the exhausted and partially wet travellers back aboard our Moose Network Bus. Rachel, our Moose Network guide, cranked the tunes and put the wheels in motion. Within no time we were back on the road to explore the Rockies!

Strike A Stupid Pose

Despite how exciting road trips are, driving for hours will drive people to exhaustion. Maybe its the scenery, the rocking back and forth, or the gentle vibrations of the highway. Whatever it is, a good stretch can change the mood of an entire bus. Our lovely Moose Network guide pulled over as often as possible to let us stretch our legs and get photo-snappy with her box of goofy hats. You can only take photos of scenic backdrops for so long until you realize having a little fun in front of the camera will likely be more memorable than the millions of photos you have of trees, mountains, and rocks.

Our target had been locked in. Like a master dart player, the Moose Network Bus lined up its shot, and launched. It wasn’t long before we found out we had made it to the little mountain town known around the world. Banff! This is where the fun begins. The outdoors, the icefields, the white water rafting. To say we were looking forward to it would have been the 2nd most largest understatement in the century. (The first would be that Poutine is tasty. )

Tour all over Canada with Moose Network

Kayak British Columbia with Natural Escapes Kayaking

Thanks to the Moose Network for their awesome help with planning my recent visit  through B.C and Alberta, and for arranging for a comped pass to the hostel. All opinions, reviews, and photos are my own.

Kayaking Near Revelstoke Mountain with The Hoodapus Gang is a post from: I Backpack Canada

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to introduce some Saskatchewan food to my fellow friend Andy, hailing from PEI / Halifax. While his decision to visit Saskatchewan was primarily based around checking out Saskatchewans booming economy, he wasn’t opposed to the idea of trying some local food. Its pretty rare that I ever get the chance to show anybody from the East Coast what Saskatchewan is all about, so I didn’t want to screw this up. In light of this weight on my shoulders, I recruited my family to help bring out the big guns.

The Ukrainian Feast, care of Peg’s Kitchen

One of the most dominant cultures to settle the Saskatchewan area were the Ukrainians. These people who came over to the prairies were good at three things, Farming, Cooking, and Makin’ Babies. Which is why there is still such a huge population of Ukrainian descendants, and even whole towns who still speak the Old Language. Their tenacity to farm, cook, and breed are one of the main reasons Saskatchewan has informally claimed the Cabbage Roll, the Perogie, and the Home-made sausage as their own.

Rather than going to the nearest grocery store and picking up a bunch of boring frozen factory made Ukrainian Food, the Fraser Family pulled all the stops and talked to Peg’s Kitchen. For those who don’t know, Peg is the Queen of Ukrainian food in Southern Saskatchewan. Stop by her kitchen in Regina for some of the best home-made everything! We went with the classic Ukrainian Lunch. Cabbage Rolls, Pierogis, Sausages, Buns, and to wash it all down, a dozen bottles of Pilsner. I think it goes without saying that the meal was amazing, but it wasn’t over until we brought out the secret weapon. Saskatoon Berry Pie, topped with Cool Whip, and a spoonful of organic Saskatoon berry topping. Yes, you heard right. Double Dose of Saskatoon Berries! Despite how full everyone was feeling, everyone crushed some pie. For those who don’t know, this delightful berry is unique to the region, and is like nothing I know of. I describe it as amazing, just be sure to give it a shot next time you’re in the prairies!

Grandmas Hamburger soup

If you’ve managed to digest everything from a Ukrainian meal, congratulations, you’re almost a certified Saskatchewanite. But your test isn’t over. There is much to eat. For instance, Grandma’s homemade Hamburger Soup. While the recipe varies throughout the province, Hamburger Soup has become a staple meal in our family, and many others as the go-to-heart-warming, comforting winter food. Dip a fresh bun/roll, biscuit, or crush some crackers in there and your looking in the eye of one of the heartiest soups this side the Great Lakes. Big love & mentions need to go out to my Grandma for being so awesome and cooking for the whole gang!

The Deep Dish Pizza

The next meal is a bit of an anomaly, and I wish I knew more about why this meal is so popular in Saskatchewan. The deep dish pizza. They’re everywhere out west, especially in Regina. Verns, Houston Pizza, Western Pizza, and Trifons, they all compete to have the thickest most meatiest pizza in town. Deep dish has an all new meaning in Saskatchewan! If your pizza is less than 7 peperoni slices thick, it’s not even in the same race. Gooey, cheesy, thick, greasy, this is a clogged artery waiting to happen. Words can’t even describe how insane this thing is, and I mean that in a good way. We made a stop at the Argyle Houston Pizza and were greeted by the friendliest owner who even bought our group shots. +30 points for him & his business in my books. [Hint: Great Western Pilsner goes down great with this type pie]

Hungry for more? Well perfect, because I plan on a part 2 of this post next time I’m back in the prairies (summer-ish). We haven’t even gotta into Deer Sausage/Jerky, Bannick, or even stopped by Nicky’s Cafe! This was a good start for now. If you’re from Saskatchewan & have something you think I should try, please leave a comment! I love food, and am more than happy to go out of the way to eat something new.

My Guide to Food in Saskatchewan is a post from: I Backpack Canada

We were joined by my youngest brother, Payden, my Dad’s fishing buddy Eric, and his Father-in-law, Wayne. Being the non-expert, I gladly sat back and observed the pro’s in action. Wayne has been fishing Last Mountain Lake for over 15 years, Summer or Winter, he’ll find a way to put his line in. Over the years I’ve managed to find myself falling through thin ice two times too many. Needless to say, I felt a heckuva lot safer knowing we had a couple seasoned professionals on board with us.

Meet the Artctic Cat

As my little brother and I unloaded the truck and threw whatever we could onto the Snowmobile, the old boys dragged out the collapsable ice fishing cabin and proceeded to attach it onto our sweet ride, the Arctic Cat. Faster than your average feline, and comfortably sits 3. As the final rods and tackle were loaded up, Wayne was happy to let us young guys hop on the sled with him. Take that walking!

Goodbye Shore!

The snowmobiles motor roared and we were off, dragging what I could only guess was over 900 pounds of gear and body. I couldn’t help but think “All those Christmas sweets could actually be the death of me”. I laughed it off as we picked up speed and watched as the snowy shore lined with cottages faded towards the horizon. Wayne let up on the throttle and slowed us down to a spot he thought might be deep enough to catch something.

18 Feet And Counting

He used his fancy ice penetrating laser depth finder to find out we were still only above 18 feet of water. He suggested we head a little further out in the hopes that we’ll have better luck, and to avoid snagging any Jacks. The engine roared back to life and we continued on, despite knowing perfectly well the weather was turning on us. What was once a sunny blue Saskatchewan sky with calm winds had turned overcast and dropped to well below -35 with windchill. Prairie weather can be so unpredictable in the winter.

A Cold Walk On Ice

We slowed down to our final location and began unloading gear. The ice fishing cabin was quickly set up, and all the luxaries were quickly placed inside. This wasn’t Waynes first rodeo, he came prepared. Kerosene heater, check. Fancy laser depth finder, check. Underwater fishing video camera with 10 inch display, check. Prepared indeed! As we finished setting everything up, my old man and his pal Eric finally made it. They were forced to walk all the way out on account of the lack of room on the snowmobile. Poor bastards.

Drilling the Lake

Eric promptly picked up the auger and began to drill himself a hole in the ice. The ice was no match for this giant drillbit and it sunk through like a hot knife through butter. Water spewed out of the hole as the auger was pulled up, bringing shards of ice along with it. You could practically smell how cold it was down there. I quickly went over some old safety tips I had learned as a kid if you ever fall through the ice. I approached the hole and laughed at how thick the ice was. I thought to myself “Yea, I won’t be needing those.”

Prepare to Fish

Within minutes, we each had our own ice fishing hole along with baited lines dropped in. Our hooks dropped 20 odd feet and lay there waiting patiently, “Here fishy fishy fishy…” Part of me expected to haul out a marlin of a fish within the first few minutes, it just made sense to me judging by my prowess with fishing up north in the summer. Unfortunately, that wasn’t so. I sat and waited patiently.

Waiting for Fish

Time ticked by and still nothing. The underwater video camera showed a barren lake floor. I stepped outside of the heated cabin to see how the old boys were doing. Same situation over there. I couldn’t help but laugh at how red their faces were from the wind. If it weren’t for their relaxed bodies I’d think they were raging mad. They laughed as they saw me reaching for the bag where I stored a couple beers.

Coldest Ice Fishing, Ever

A snag, a false alarm, and a couple beers later and we still didn’t have a single thing. Wayne was apologizing on behalf of the lake, I insisted there was no need. Whether we caught anything or not, it’s still been fun. It’s not everyday you get to go ice fishing, and half the fun is just being out there. As the hours continued on, the weather continued to drop. It was getting to the point where skin was freezing, and we all decided to call ‘er quits.

As we loaded everything up I thanked Wayne and Eric for bringing us out here. They insisted I come back soon to try again, and I promised I would. I got a taste for the ice fishing, and I sure as hell am going to catch something out there one of these days. Unfortunately, that won’t be this winter. The truck was warm, and I had some extremities to unthaw. Fish or no fish, I had a blast!

Ice Fishing Saskatchewans Last Mountain Lake is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Toboggan gear is surprisingly cheap

We made a quick stop at the local Canadian Tire to equip ourselves with some tobogganing equipment. We were able to pick up a couple Crazy Carpets for $4.00 each and a Speed Saucer for $5.00. Thankfully, one of my friends was smart enough to hang on to his old GT Racer from when he was 12. Needless to say, we were all pretty psyched to re-live the experience of hurdling ourselves down a hill on a cheap piece of plastic. Seeing as we’re all “Adults” now, we had to find a way to make this whole adventure a little more mature. What better way to be mature than to bring beer to the top of the hill. Classy!

Quick fact: Mount Pleasant was actually a landfill decades ago, and the hill is actually part dirt, and part ancient trash. The park was given a giant eco-makeover and turned into a local park. Looking at the park now you might have a tough time believing that though. It’s very much green.

Icey beers are oh-so-awesome!

Beer seemed like it would go so well with tobogganing. So we picked up Cube of Pil, aka Saskatchewan Champagne, Sner, Pilly Pop, or more formally Pilsner. For those unaware, Pilsner is a staple of Saskatchewan culture. We hauled our case of beer along with our plastic vessels to the top of Mount Pleasant. The weather was a teeth chattering -30 degrees Celcius with windchill, and the beer was all but too happy to freeze minutes after cracking the top. This in turn lead to the realization that a newly opened beer needed to be consumed in under a minute and a half, or else you’d be left with slushy ice-beer that was nearly impossible to get out of the can. Needless to say, the challenge was accepted.

Liquid strength and broken bodies

Making good use of our newfound liquid confidence, we propelled our bodies in the direction of icey ramps left behind by past tobogganers. A few bruises and scratches later and the decision was made to slow our pace a bit and enjoy the flashback inspired thrill of catching speed and losing control of our toboggans only to roll the rest of the way down the hill.

We repeated this process until all but 5 beers were finished and our bodies were numb from pain or cold. At that point I wasn’t sure which it was, all I knew was that I needed some warmth. Thankfully that warmth could be found in my parents house, located only a handful of blocks away. Who knew re-living childhood memories could be so awesome?

Tobogganing Mount Pleasant in Regina SK is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The Sunday Canadian Travel Video: Whistlers Nightlife is a post from: I Backpack Canada

So without further ado, I give you “Robins Mancation in the Rockies”.

The Sunday Canadian Travel Video: Mancation in the Rockies is a post from: I Backpack Canada

What is Ogopogo?

The First Nations of in the area have spoke of the Naitaka (aka Ogopogo) for hundreds of years. It was known as a constant threat to the people, and offerings were typically given before long journeys over Lake Okanagan. It wasn’t until the late 1800′s, when the Europeans began to settle/invade the area that stories and sightings began spreading about the 50 foot sea serpent living at the bottom of Lake Okanagan. Many people say Ogopogo is a cousin to the Loch Ness Monster, and is a living Plesiosaur.

Is this thing for real?!

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

In the last hundred and some years, countless photos, videos, and stories have surfaced about this Canadian Lake Monster. Unfortunately, as with most other cryptozoological discoveries, the photos are grainy, the videos are shakey and out of focus, or they’re clearly just logs of wood, waves, or in some cases just a beavers tail. Despite the lack of evidence, believers are common in the area.

My thoughts on Ogopogo

Having swam in Lake Okanagan, I can honestly say that it does have that eerie “What the hell was that…something just brushed my foot!” feel to it. Maybe thats because I had heard of the stories before swimming and I was just tripping myself out. Or maybe its the sheer depth and grandeur of the landscape and lake. Or maybe, just MAYBE, my chi was aligning with Ogopogos minds eye, creating a psychic connection where I could feel what he/she felt, and he/she could feel what I felt. Perhaps?

A note to Ogopogo:

I want to believe in you Ogopogo, because dinosaurs would be soooo awesome to ride, and feed, and probably party with. But if you exist, and read the internet, just do yourself a favour. Stand still for a photo, give a massive Dino-Scream in front of a video camera, heck…eat a tourist! We all just want to know, Are you for real!?

Sightings and stories of Ogopogo (’70s edition)

Yes, even the 70s had an interest in the unexplained. Watch the video “The Search for Ogopogo” and check out how young Leonard Nimoy looks! What a gem!

Part 2 of The Search for Ogopogo

Part 3 of the Search for Ogopogo

What do you think?

Do Lake Monsters Exist? And if they do, who would win in a fight…The Loch Ness Monster or Ogopogo?

Ogopogo – The Canadian Lake Monster is a post from: I Backpack Canada

The first video is a video I found on TripFilms, Titled “Banff to Jasper – One of the world’s most breathtaking drives”

The Sunday Canadian Travel Video: Banff To Jasper is a post from: I Backpack Canada

Q: How long have you been operating HI-Edmonton?

I have been managing HI-Edmonton for just over 13 months, but before that I was the assistant manager here for about two and a half years.

Q: Tell us about HI-Edmonton

HI-Edmonton was an old convent dating back to 1918. It was converted into a hostel once Hostelling International bought it in 1998.

We have 8-bed dorms, 2-bed dorms, private rooms, one ensuite room and one family room. We have a fully equiped self-serve kitchen with a dining room, a large common room, a TV room, a games room, a library, two laundry rooms, a meeting room, a secure storage room, and a backyard with a BBQ. We have free parking and day storage for luggage, too.

Q: Tell us about the area of town your HI-Edmonton resides in.

HI-Edmonton is in the city’s Old Strathcona neighbourhood – the most popular area for shops, restaurants, clubs, live music, live theatre, indie & foreign movie theatres, live comedy, and more. The city’s beautiful river valley is only a few blocks away with lots of hiking and biking trails to explore (we have bike rentals and trail maps at the hostel). Downtown is nice walk or a short bus ride just across the river. The University of Alberta is nearby and the West Edmonton Mall can be accessed by transit one block away.

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

HI-Edmonton has some hostel activities going on mainly during the spring until fall and our friendly front desk staff will happily book your tours or help you plan other ways to explore.

Q: What is your favourite activity / tour that you guys offer, and why?

The most popular hostel activites over the past few years have been our weekly BBQ in our backyard and our bike rentals. The BBQs bring people together outside to relax and chat in the sunshine and the bikes are a great way to see Edmonton.

Q: How much does it cost for for a dorm room and private room?

Our dorm prices start at $26.00; and our private rooms start at $61.00.

Q: Are there any special promotions you’re currently running or have run in the past?

Our Summer in the City package kicks off on June 1 until September 30. It includes: four nights in a dorm; one West Edmonton Mall choice pass, which gets you into the waterpark or Galaxyland amusement park or two of the smaller mall attractions; two bus tickets to get you to the mall and back; and a full-day bike rental. Packages start at $138.50 (8-bed dorm) and $150.75 (2-bed dorm), tax included.

The rest of the year we have a seven nights for the price of six deal; a four-night deal, where your 4^th consecutive night is 50% off, and a two-week Job Seekers package, which comes with free internet time, resume printing and faxing and a bunch of helpful local information.

HI-Edmonton

10647-81 Ave, Edmonton Alberta

Twitter: @hostelscanada

1.866.762.4122

Thanks Greg for taking the time to answer some questions, and thanks again to HI-Canada for bringing some valuable information to iBackpackCanada.com. Edmonton has got bunch to offer to backpackers, hikers, campers, and travelers. If you’re looking for a well priced bed and some great people, be sure to stop by HI’s Edmonton location.

Interviewing Canadas Hostels: HI Edmonton is a post from: I Backpack Canada

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 2 is a post from: I Backpack Canada