21 minute read
Cultural Flavours of Northern Alberta
Ride North Moto
Advertisement
- Sarah Clark
If you are an adventure rider, you have probably heard of Ride North Moto, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts who are dedicated to promoting safe off-roading and showcasing the wonderful terrain available in Alberta that many just don’t know about or expect. When you think of off-roading, you probably don’t think of Alberta but trust us, there are sand trails and other off-roading opportunities galore. Take a trip and try to prove us wrong! Just remember to bring your knobby tires. There is all season riding too. This is Canada after all. If sand trails aren’t your thing, maybe the ice road is. Don’t worry, they do lots to help cut the cold and make the ride as enjoyable as possible. Remember, it is all fun and games until someone gets hypothermia. Seriously, we aren’t joking. pg. 36
Ride North Moto earned non-profit status in June 2021 and is now in the process of transition to non-profit status. Ride North Moto rides are about seeing the old communities and the culture. Seeing the old Aboriginal communities, learning about the history of this part of Canada and accessing parts of Canada that are fly-in, fly-out only during the summer and only accessible by the ice road in winter. There are hundreds and hundreds of kilometers of ice roads so you have plenty to choose from. The only problem is the muskeg.
You just can’t miss the amazing trails to be found in Alberta, especially in Northern Alberta. You name the terrain; odds are you can find it in Alberta. It’s a beautiful province, full of beautiful people. Get in touch with Ride North Moto and its president, Billy Beauchesne, to find out more at https://www.ridenorthmoto.com/riders
There are lots of great restaurants and hotels to visit along your run of Alberta. You will find lots of welcoming people and businesses galore from the big box to the small business we all love to support. You won’t run out of things to do or see when you plan your next run with Ride North Moto.
Cultural Flavours of Northern Alberta: Following Le CDEA’s Foodie Trails (Part 2)
Story and Photos by Rumble Alberta Influencers Rheannon Green and Tannis Baker, Food Tourism Strategies Inc
The northeastern corner of Alberta is ripe with foodie finds galore! We were fortunate enough to spend a few days exploring this area, thanks to Le CDEA’s foodie trails. Le CDEA is actually Le Conseil de Développement Économique de l’Alberta (or the Economic Development Council of Alberta), who supports the development of an autonomous, dynamic, and innovative French-speaking economic power. As part of their support of Francophone businesses, they have developed themed routes across the province, including both a Craft Beer and a Regional Flavours tour. These naturally caught our attention and we decided that the best way to traverse the expanse of Northern Alberta was to eat and drink our way across We had already spent a few days working our way from Grande Prairie to St Paul, exploring a myriad of breweries, restaurants, farms, and other food-related excursions. From there, we made our way from St Paul to Lloydminster, albeit taking the scenic route.
Our first stop on this part of the journey had us stopping at Ye Olde MacLean Hobby Farm in Fort Kent. This was truly a site to behold. The owners have transformed their property into an extensive hobby farm, complete with old west-style main street, baby animals, and even a train to take you around! There is so much to see, we needed a few hours to make our way around. Everything on the farm is mini, and all is designed to help kids to understand the farm better. After playing with all the animals, it was really hard to leave! Though they are currently closed to the public, you may just be able to visit them come Open Farm Days in August.
If you’re in need of a great gathering place that gives you a taste of farm life, the Muriel Creek Ranch House near Ardmore has you covered. It houses six executive suites, a commercial kitchen large enough to throw a party in, and a huge yard that looks out to the pasture. It combines western comfort and hospitality, with the décor bringing the ranch feeling inside as well. Best of all, it is a near zero-energy building. You do need to book the suites in advance, but if you’re exploring the area, it’s a great place to lay your head for the night.
After the first two stops, we were definitely ready for a bit of a break, and where better to relax than with stunning lake views? Cold Lake Brewing & Distilling may just have the best views of all. Their rooftop patio looks out at the lake, and while it isn’t quite beachfront, it is perfect for kicking back and enjoying the sunshine. (Side note: Kinosoo Beach that it overlooks was named one of Canada’s top beaches). The taproom inside is beautiful (especially the bar!) and is pretty much full from open to close. They are the first craft brewery and small batch distillery in the area, and they take that role as community leaders seriously. They are big supporters of local producers and ingredients, incorporating them not only in their beer and spirits, but also into their food menu as well. With their deeprooted community connections, you can find great local products like Hamel’s bratwurst on the menu, and even some pickles and preserves from Twisted Fork!
If you are feeling like a bigger meal, head down the road to Mamacitas Mexican Restaurant. Who knew you could find authentic Mexican cuisine in northern Alberta? It’s the perfect place to satisfy all your cravings. From ceviche to chilaquiles to tres leches cake, you can’t go wrong with anything that you order. We highly recommend making sure that you leave a respectable amount of time to dine, as they make everything from scratch so it might take a bit if there’s a lot of others in the restaurant. And don’t miss out on the churros – they’re perfect to bring with you in the car!
Hidden away in the MD of Bonnyville is Rocky Meadows Country Getaway, which may just be on your list for camping sites for your next excursion. What was once a grain and cattle farm was transformed into a unique getaway that’s perfect for getting off the beaten path. This hidden gem has a great little country store, Nana’s Kitchen, that’s full of locally made goods, as well as house-made goodies like pies and fudge. In addition to the campground, there’s a spring-fed pond, a u-pick, and even a Farm Yard Mini Golf course! Don’t have your own camping gear? They even have on-site RV rentals. It also happens to be relatively close to Journey North Cider, the next stop on our trip.
Journey North Cider is challenging the status quo in the cider market with bold flavours that can make any craft beer drinker take notice. From their traditional ciders like The Crisp, to the more adventurous like the Spiced Oak, there is something for everyone to enjoy. (The Pineapple didn’t last more than 10 minutes once we opened it). While their ciders are impeccable, their space is something to behold. Having opened just recently, it is a stunning building with space for even the largest of gatherings to be held. Want something more private? They have a rental space upstairs with its own balcony and taps that overlooks the patio and the surrounding fields. The plan is to turn those fields into an orchard, so that they can grow as much of their own apple supply as possible (even with Alberta’s short growing season up there). While their products haven’t quite made their way across the province just yet, if you’re in the south, head to Piston Broke Brewing to grab some of their Crisp on tap.
If you follow a lot of Alberta farms and producers on social media, chances are that you have come across Chatsworth Farm. The traditional and modern mixed family farm pops up everywhere, and it’s because they are such big supporters of the local food and agricultural industries. Raising poultry, eggs, lamb, grains, and beef, there’s always something going on at the farm. Named after the old Chatsworth school district in which the farm is situated, Rick Wasylik started it in 1993 shortly before marrying his wife Johanna, and raising their three kids, who are now grown and have taken over many responsibilities on the farm. Nick and Alex work full-time on the farm, and Charlotte helps out with a lot of the social media and marketing. Even if you can’t get to the farm in person, you can still experience the farm through their virtual tours. They even have a program called “Chatsworth Farm Through the Seasons”, where you can visit five times throughout the year to learn about what’s happening on the farm through the seasons. Open Farm Days is a great time to check them out, but you can also order their products online if you can’t get to them.
Heading into Vermilion from the farm, you have to stop at Copper Cork Distillery. A relatively new distillery, they combine smalltown hospitality and locally harvested grain to create unique and memorable spirits for all of Alberta to enjoy. The rustic façade is reminiscent of an old west saloon, right down to the wooden door and intentionally faded sign. That style is carried through to the interior as well, topped by their original still mounted above the bar. From moonshines to cordials to gin to vodka, their lineup features something for everyone. They have even won some awards at the Alberta Beverage Awards, which you can find proudly displayed on their labels. We highly recommend the Spiced Pear Gin, but you really can’t go wrong with any choice.
A trip this far east would not be complete without a stop at Old School Cheesery in Vermilion River, especially if you are a Francophone traveler. The handmade artisan cheesery is also Alberta’s first Économusée, which showcases passionate artisans and follows their journeys, all included in French. Founder Patrick Dupuis’ passion could not be more evident, and a quick conversation about cheese can quickly give anyone the desire to become a cheesemaker. They purchase all their cow milk through Alberta Milk, so the cheeses that they produce all support local dairy producers. Patrick’s eldest daughter, Valerie, also joined the team to help run the business, learning the trade under her father. From cheese curds to dill cheddar to a vegetable ash covered brie, cheese lovers can rejoice in these amazing products that can be found across the province. It keeps Patrick on his toes, as he frequently makes the deliveries to other cities himself.
After traversing almost all of Northern Alberta (at least several hundred kilometres of it), the final stop of our exploration leaves us at 4th Meridian Brewing in Lloydminster. Located on the Alberta side of the provincial boundary, it’s a great place to sit back and relax after a long trip. The eclectic décor has something to examine in every corner, so even if you’re waiting on your friends to arrive, you will never be bored. Like most breweries, they have a selection of core beers, as well as some rotating taps featuring seasonal brews that keep locals and visitors coming back to see what’s new. You won’t be able to find their beer outside of the area, so make sure to stop in on your next trip through town.
With a slightly stiff back, a cooler full of food and drinks collected along the way, and a full pint, our journey along Le CDEA’s foodie trails comes to an end. There is so much more to discover in Alberta, we’ve only just scratched the surface of the amazing food and drink that this province has to offer. Pack your bags, throw in a cooler, and hit the road. There’s so much deliciousness waiting for you!
Tannis Baker Rheannon Green
Food Tourism Strategies Inc. is a Calgary-based consulting and event company that produces Alberta on the Plate, a platform that highlights and celebrates Alberta food and drink, as well as hosts a provincewide dine around festival every August during Alberta Local Food Week. The 2022 Dine Around takes place August 12-21, 2022 and features over 75 restaurants in over 25 cities and towns throughout the province.
AlbertaOnThePlate.com | FoodTourismStrategies.com Follow on Instagram & Facebook: @abontheplate | @foodtourismstrategies
for the first time since ‘The Beast’ - Renee Charbonneau
In September of last year, I found myself heading to Fort McMurray to go do some interviews and to go really see Fort McMurray for Rumble Alberta.
Before last September my only exposure to Fort McMurray was when I lived on highway 63 near Thorhild and the Friday night shift change traffic that invariably came down from the city.
It was often bumper to bumper, making it difficult for the locals to get onto the highway or even turn into your driveway. Often there ended up being crashes that would close down the highway. For those of us living on that highway back in the 90’s, it was difficult. Then there was the Wildfire. The Beast. 2016.
I headed to Fort McMurray along with a gal named Linda Klouth and a firefighter named Jessica Kappel. I stayed there for 6 days feeding firefighters, trying to help keep their spirits up, making sure they had what they needed to look after their feet, hands, eyes and sometimes their souls.
It was brutal and yet joyful. It was terrifying and yet not. It was confusing and yet natural to be there helping others.
Although through social media and phone calls I have kept in touch with some of those I had the honour of serving, I had never gone back. I wasn’t even sure I was ready to go back now, but I made the decision to head to Fort McMurray and just let things fall where they may.
On the way up I stopped in Smith to have dinner with Sheila Willis, author and app creator.
Char’s Railway Cafe is a great place to eat and to gather. The food is really good, consistently. The staff is friendly. It's affordable and it's rural.
It’s everything Rumble Alberta is all about. After a wonderful meal and a far too brief visit, I headed off to Fort McMurray. My schedule was such that I did my best to stop at as many Rumble partner businesses as I could. I stopped in Athabasca for fuel. This has to be one of Alberta’s prettiest of places. I took in the scenery and the kilometers melted away. I stopped just outside of Fort McMurray, not really sure what I was going to see or feel.
Sheila Willis
JUST RELEASED!
Published by local author Sheila Willis
Get Your Copy here:
https://liberty-multimedia.myshopify.com/
ALBERTA HISTORY: LESSER SLAVE LAKE REGION, NEWS
Colonial & Indigenous relationships, the fur trade, methods of transportation. From 1880 to 1896, these changes were happening faster than ever before in Northern Alberta!
Containing an overview of these transformations, this book documents several news stories from the time. Through it, you can relive one of the greatest expansion periods in Alberta’s history!
While the focus of this book is the Lesser Slave Lake Region, other areas are included. Northern Alberta – which is now about half the province – is a vast geographical space. People were bound to each other through travel routes and the fur trade. What happened in one community often affected the next, even if they were several hundred kilometres apart.
I pulled into the Microtel Hotel and was greeted by a sweet man on the front counter whose name eludes me now. But his gentle eyes and kind demeanor have not.
I got settled in my room and was greeted by a gift bag from the Hotel manager. It was such a kind gesture. The room was well appointed and most of all the bed was comfortable.
On my first morning in Fort McMurray, I was to chat with Tyler Cole, one of the economic development folks that works for Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development and Tourism.
Tyler was going to give me a bit of the low down on where to go and what to see and do. Tyler and I had a good chinwag on the phone and then I was on my own for the rest of the day. The next day he’d be meeting me at different points throughout the city. Covid rules, we couldn’t travel together! pg. 57
Anyway, I decided that I needed to go to Macdonald Island first and get that out of my system so that I wasn’t limiting my experience of Fort McMurray.
I am so very grateful that I did.
I stopped in front of the Suncor Centre and let my mind take me back. I cried, I walked, I cried some more. I relived the nights of smoke and flame, coffee, hugs and sandwiches. I went to the golf course and really looked around and saw how beautiful this place was.
I took in the magnitude of the Metis Cultural Centre that is being built.
It was here, in the parking lot, that this very pretty woman of Jamaican heritage struck up a conversation with me and invited me to come see where she works. Her name was Rebecca and said she’d give me a special treatment at the spa she worked at.
I had time and I had a little bit of money tucked away for just such a thing, so I followed her to Twedy’s in the Suncor Centre. I fell in love! I loved the shop, I loved Rebecca but I really loved Twedy herself. Oh lord what a woman.
Seriously, this woman, this tiny little Vietnamese woman was a force to be reckoned with, it emanated from her.
As Twedy poured me a glass of red wine and fed me some snacks, she gave me a pedicure and I started asking her about her life.
b
She ran away from Communist Vietnam at 18 years old. She wanted to get her beauty licensing and did so. She moved to Vancouver but found it too expensive. She met the man of her dreams.
They moved to Alberta and she started a business in Sherwood Park.
He got transferred and eventually she sold the business and followed him North.
Twedy and her husband moved to Fort McMurray about 9 years ago. She now owns three salons and employs approximately 30 women, most part time, some full time and all by the looks of it are treated like family.
Every customer that comes through the door, she seems to know and even if she doesn’t, she makes them feel like she does. She told me she never regretted moving to Canada or Alberta and that she loves Fort McMurray.
I so enjoyed my facial and pedicure. It made my day and made my soul feel lighter. I think a lot of it had to do with the women at Twedy’s. (https://www.facebook.com/twedysnails) If you are ever in Fort McMurray look her up, OR, ask any one from Fort McMurray and they will guide you to finding her, she’s an institution there!
I headed to my motorcycle, my heart lighter than I expected and, on the way, out of MacDonald Island I saw the Raven Sculpture and stopped to read the storyboard.
It spoke to me in ways I can’t express. Perhaps it will speak to you as well.
Next time, I get to explore Fort McMurray, meet some fellow riders and see things I would never have seen unless I had gone to that wild northern region called Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo.
When they say: ‘Discover the unexpected Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo’, they truly mean it!
