NORTH CENTRAL ROUTE 4

With the City of Wetaskiwin as its starting point, North Central AB Route 4 of Rumble Alberta, is a fun route to travel with all sorts of things to see and do.

Mayor Tyler Gandam (helmet on) Myself, Phoenix Phillips

Historic with a modern flair is how I would describe Wetaskiwin. This community of 13,000 stands strong amongst the pines. From the History Check App, which is a guide for the Rumble Alberta Scavenger Hunts, I learned that the name Wetaskiwin comes from the Cree word “witaskiwinihk”, meaning “the hills where peace was made”.

My overnight stay was at the Best Western Wayfare where comfort and the convenience of two on-site restaurants, Barney’s Pub and Grill, and O’Brian’s Restaurant made my evening very pleasant.

I was offered up a private tour of the historic Reynolds-Alberta Museum by their head of marketing, Cynthia Blackmore. I got a rare sneak peak of their new exhibit “Motorbikus Mechanicus”. This is a love story of the partnership between famed motorcycle manufacturer, Harley-Davidson and Grande Prairie Regional College, Fairview Campus.

This massive exhibit includes 40 rare gems in the college’s ‘toy box’ collection of motorcycles integral for training, including both concept and early productions bikes. Of note, this is the only Harley-Davidson Tech program in Canada and that fact is proudly recognized by residents of the North.

After my tour of the Reynolds-Alberta Museum, the Mayor met me out front on his decked-out Harley-Davidson...a sweet ride!

From here he graciously agreed to give me the grand tour of Wetaskiwin. The plan was to experience Wetaskiwin on 2-wheels, and we did.

Guided by this first-term mayor, Tyler Gandam, I was soon to discover that Wetaskiwin is a vibrant city with lots to offer. Mayor Gandam skilfully marries the link between the old and new, the same way he navigates his Harley-Davidson Street Glide through the streets of this proud city.

As a politician and a new father of a 3-month-old daughter, Gandam, like so many before him, is keenly aware that this is where he wants to raise his family. We motored from the stunning City of Wetaskiwin water-tower built in 1909 dubbed one of the oldest municipal water towers in Canada, then through the nearby refurbished streets of downtown.

Equally impressive, our travels took us along the recently completed massive round-about where we were flanked by the stunning 1907 architecture of city hall.

With time on our side, I was treated to a tour at the Wetaskiwin Heritage Museum Centre by the executive director & chief curator Karen Aberle.

and the family he embraces, Mayor Gandum and I parted ways on a full-stomach, thanks to a tasty butter-chicken dish from Fresh Grill Kitchen & Bar.

With my two-wheels pointed westward on Highway 13, I set out to discover the rest of North Central Route 4 of Rumble Alberta.

North Central Route #4 is shaped like a rectangle: From Wetaskiwin, west to Buck Lake, north to Drayton Valley, then east to Nisku.

The route is seasoned with eye-catching places such as Ma-Me-O beach and a sea of small outlying communities like Alder Flats and Warburg nestled neatly along the way. Don’t blink, you may miss some of the history and scenery!

I enjoyed the drop into one of the numerous valleys across the countryside, crossing bridges surrounded by rich greenery and hearing the occasional moo from a local cow.

I came across a random Ukrainian Greek Orthodox church and thought it warranted a little exploration. (PS At the church there’s a nearby outhouse, just in case.) Blackjacks Roadhouse and Games Room was a vision of Clarence’s for a while and when he opened the doors to this outstanding and beautiful building some 10 years ago it was with the dream of being a hub for motorcyclists and truck drivers.

What immediately caught my eye was the stunning truss work that greets you upon arrival. Inside the attention to detail continues with a 2nd floor mezzanine to enhance the experience, a definite must see. On this night, Tuesday, affectionately known as Bike Night, this visual masterpiece of 400+ motorcycles paints a new landscape each week... well worth the look.

Discover the historic and the modern on this route and you will want to return time and time again.

Supporting Rural Alberta is what Rumble Alberta is all about with your next adventure only a click away at www.rumblealberta.com

Reynolds-Alberta Museum:

6426 – 40 Ave., Wetaskiwin (780) 312-2065 www.reynoldsmuseum.ca

Wetaskiwin District Heritage Museum:

5007, 50th Avenue, Wetaskiwin Phone: (780) 352-0227 wetaskiwinmuseum.com

Blackjacks Roadhouse:

2110 Sparrow Drive, Nisku Phone: (780) 955 – 2336 www.blackjacksroadhouse.com