12 minute read
South Route 7 ..........................................Pages 4
This tour is comprehensive, a chance to explore small town Alberta at its best. It’s perfectly set up for a bike tour, family vacation, or a friend’s trip.
Regan and I spent five full days together, exploring, adventuring, supporting local businesses and artists.
Advertisement
We also did something even more priceless, unmeasurable.
My 18 year old daughter and I created a chapter in the legacy of our life together as a family, we made positive memories that will live in our memories for years to come.
Rumble Alberta is so much more than a road trip.
It’s a carefully curated series of roadmaps in support of our province; it’s been created not only to support small businesses and points of interest in rural Alberta, but to create a chance to create memories to treasure for years to come.
Carla Lehman Photography + Daughter Regan Lehman carlalehmanphoto.ca @CarlaLehmanPhoto
The Rumble Alberta Trivia Challenge
Questions:
1. What Alberta City has a UFO Landing Pad? 2. What Alberta town has a Space Ship downtown? Answers on Page 51
THE RUMBLE ALBERTA TEAM WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE NEW AND RETURNING OFFICIALS, AND EXTEND A THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SERVED IN THE PAST, OR PUT THEIR NAME IN THE HAT.
CONGRATULATIONSCONGRATULATIONS TOTO ALLALL OFOF THETHE RURALRURAL ALBERTAALBERTA MUNICIPALMUNICIPAL COUNCILSCOUNCILS
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AS WE STRIVE TO BRING TOURISTS TO RURAL ALBERTA!
Come Experience the Sand in Our Playground!
My name is Sheila Willis, I am writing a book on James Kennedy Cornwall. He is also known as “Peace River Jim” or “The Apostle of the North” and had a lot of influence in shaping the history of the northern portion of Alberta.
This past August I went to visit the archives at the Fort McMurray Heritage Village to do some research and decided to make a vacation out of the trip.
Being one of the partners in Rumble Alberta, I helped design the Challenges for Fort McMurray. I “knew” there were trails, heritage plaques and art work and they were on my list to go see and take the challenges.
Like many people, in my mind’s eye, I had the impression that Fort McMurray is an oil and industry town, not a tourism destination.
Boy, was I ever wrong.
I do not often take time for myself. I gave myself a week and wrote a list of things I wanted to do. Perhaps this inexperience in travel plans set the stage for one of the most exhausting - and fun - weeks I have ever had. And for the record, I never made it through my list!
Everyday was a new surprise. Fort McMurray is a place that blends nature, landscapes, art, history, food and commerce in one expected package.
The Fort McMurray Heritage Village was my top priority as they also house the archives. I had pre-arranged my visit there for my research. I opened the door and boom - there was this amazing gift shop!
My appointment time was open ended so I took time to browse. There is a huge variety of local art, books, and other gift shop fare - enough to keep me occupied for a half hour before even telling them I was there. away from my research to wander and look at the many original buildings they have on site. Set in a semi circle in the grounds with a second layer behind them. Each of these buildings has a story to tell about regional history.
When wandering into the second layer of buildings I was treated to a little wildlife as a red fox was standing in the middle of the pathway looking at me. Other guests were walking towards him as well and he disappeared into the grass. Apparently he is a frequent guest.
By this time I was already looking at my list with the realization I had not done a good job of budgeting my time. My recommendation if you have an inquiring mind, or inquisitive children, is to give yourself at least a morning or afternoon to visit the village. If you get through it quicker there are plenty of other things to do, and I think it’s better to have more time than not enough.
Another of my top of the list adventures was the Heritage Shipyards. They are located along the Clearwater River and are open during the summer.
My first surprise when entering the compound was the train cars. They were not something I expected to find, but coming from a hamlet that was created because of the railway I always wonder if the cars I go through ever brought passengers through my home town. The train car display at the Heritage Shipyard is very well done and a great representation of this part of our history.
As I ventured farther into the area it was my first up close view of ships of any kind. I am not a boat person - or rather I should say water scares me so to be able to walk on a ship, or barge without worrying about being a “woman overboard” was a real treat.
My hubby can create or re-create a lot of things and this is something I added to his list. I still haven’t figured out how it works, but the ability to move it forward has me fascinated.
The Heritage Shipyard is an important link to the history of Alberta, which started on the northern waters with the fur trade. The Athabasca River was the highway and many descendents of the river boat men, many of the Metis, still live in the area.
One large rock, used in the park area around the parking lot, caught my eye as it looks like it may have come from upstream in the area of the Grand Rapids where such rocks are common. It made me think about the transportation on the river, and the countless variety of natural and manmade things that had moved across the waters. I was also moving farther north, and fulfilled a long term goal to visit Fort Chipewyan. Both Fort Chipewyan and Fort Vermilion (another favorite place of mine) are the oldest European settlements in what is now Alberta.
“Fort Chip” was established as a fur trading post by Peter Pond of the Northwest Company in 1788. In comparison of age, Fort Edmonton did not arrive on the Alberta history scene until 1795.
The community can only be described as remote.
It is roughly 250 km north of Fort McMurray. The only way to drive there is to wait until winter when the muskegs and rivers freeze enough for the ice road to be made.
In the summer you can go by boat, or by plane.
Since I was not exactly sure how to book a boat, I went by plane with Fort McMurray Aviation on a 9-seater plane. Cont’d
Flying was to be quite an adventure in itself. I had not been on an airplane for nearly thirty years. On my last flight wind shears were reported in the area and we had to circle before landing. Through the questions of passengers regarding wind shears, we had all pretty well established that we were about to die given all the examples of tragedies caused by this phenomena.
It was one of several flights I had taken where the passengers clapped when we touched down. I had said I would never fly again. Needless to say, to book a flight, in my opinion, was a death defying feat that I actually found myself looking forward to.
As someone who is fascinated by Alberta’s history, visiting Fort Chipewyan, the oldest settled community in Alberta, was high on my priority list as a dream vacation.
When arriving in Fort Chip, my hostess, Barbara of Atim Ostogwan Dogsled & Boat Tours picked me up from the airport and gave me a mini tour of the community on the way back to their house. I cannot say enough to share my appreciation for this couple.
Through a mutual connection I had arranged to stay with them, and they were aware of my research projects and bent over backwards to help me. I learned so much from them in the day I was there and I highly recommend them to anyone who would like to visit the area.
I found the area to be totally fascinating from so many stand points. The region holds so much history in regards to the fur trade and European settlement, but long before that Indigenous people inhabited the region and much of that culture still survives.
The Fort Chipewyan Museum is a great representation of all facets of both histories.
Walking the shores of Lake Athabasca, seeing the barge that brings supplies, viewing a landscape so different from where I live, and learning more about life in this northern community was fascinating.
Alas, it came to an end all too soon and a second and longer visit is definitely on my agenda. this time on a new and larger plane, to complete more of my must see and do list.
This included the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, which is part of the staple diet of tourists that come to the region. I was not able to take part in their guided tours, or the inside features as my time was quickly running out, but in talking to other guests they were all very well presented.
Tyler, of Wood Buffalo Fort McMurray Economic Development gave me a few private tours. In one he took me to the Hangingstone River.
Here I was standing next to the river. I could see the bridge that crosses the river on Highway 63, and I could see the town. Then I look down by my feet and bits of bitumen are everywhere, not detracting at all from the lovely, scenic river setting.
Another stop was the park along the Snye and Clearwater River. I am glad he took me earlier in the week as it became my stop and ponder place when my relaxing vacation was feeling a little rushed.
It is a beautiful and peaceful spot with ample parking.
As I meandered my way along the Snye, canoeists, kayakers were taking advantage of this tranquil piece of water. Jet boats were utilizing the Clearwater River.
A group of teenagers were fishing on the dock next to a family with younger kids who had attracted a flock of ducks. Cont’d
All scenes to align the mind after a busy day.
Farther along the path I found one of the pieces of Art in the Fort McMurray Art Challenge in the bandstand.
The places I visited in this challenge never failed to amaze me. I went to a park, expecting a small grassy area. Instead it is a many faceted area with all sorts of activities and the mural I was seeking was about 5 times larger than I expected.
Getting more, and better, than I bargained for seemed to be a common theme in my Fort McMurray vacation.
I stayed at the Nomad Hotel & Suites. It was close and convenient to the streets I needed to take to the sites I wanted to see. I didn’t even have to give my name when checking in. The lady asked if I was Sheila before I was at the desk. The staff was friendly and attentive during my stay.
Food! Oh my! My hubby is a bit of a meat and potatoes guy, and would have appreciated the Keg’s menu. where I had fish cakes for breakfast, “Mitchell’s” where I was introduced to yellow bread, and Ms. B’s Family restaurant where I had a huge breakfast and drooled at the displays of baked goods and desserts before making my choice for midnight snacks.
Will I go back to Fort McMurray? Absolutely!
I never made it through my list, and I rushed things I did not want to - this time though it is going to be a 2 week vacation - and maybe more if I manage to finagle my way into a seat on the scow that Fort McMurray Metis is building and potentially taking on the river next year.
Maybe I will see you there? -------Sheila Willis is the creator of the History Check Mobile app. She lives in Smith, Alberta, a hamlet of around 200 people. In addition to Alberta’s history, her hobbies included the outdoors, gardening, canning and preserving and other creative endeavours, which have all led to her moniker “The Housewife from the Bush”. You can follow her on Facebook at “Sheila’s Shenanigans: Short & Tall Tales of Life in Alberta.”
VETERANS MEMORIAL GARDENS & INTERPRETIVE CENTRE
10121- 93 St., Grande Prairie, Alberta HELP US BUILD the ‘O Canada’ Walkway!
Donate $50 to help us build the ‘O Canada’ Walkway at Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre You will receive a Certificate of Gratitude from us and a plaque created to commemorate your soldier will be placed in the ‘O Canada’ Walkway. Donate $100 and you will get a copy of the commemorative plaque mailed to you along with your certificate. To learn more visit our website: veteransmemorialgardens.com/operation-gratitude
Veterans Memorial Gardens + Interpretive Centre is a unique urban space on 1/2 Acre of land close to dowtown Grande Prairie:
• 8 interpretive, companion planted gardens • 700 lineal feet of sidewalks that are 9’6” wide with 100+ soldiers story panels • A purposefully designed space for photos for weddings, anniversaries etc. • 10 Victory Gardens for community gardening • 500 ft deck • prep kitchen • commercial kitchen/concession • 4 restrooms, 2 accessible • 1,000 sq ft meeting room, • wheelchair ramp and wheelchair lift. • Audio Visual Equipment + MORE!
Thank a serving soldier ~ Honour a veteran ~ Remember the fallen A Commemorative Garden Connecting Community veteransmemorialgardens.com/operation-gratitude
