Our Alberta Touring Magazine

OUR ALBERTA TOURING MAGAZINE© MAGAZINE©

Up in SMOKE!

ISSUE 01 I VOL 02 I Jan 2022 The Adventures of Carla + Regan Rumble Alberta - South Route 7 Up in Smoke-Off the Hook Burnouts at Blackjacks Roadhouse Rumble Alberta South Route 7 A Different Focus! Food!

A Dream Vacation in Alberta’s Northeast Rumbling Northwest Alberta

Gravel Across Alberta Glamping, a Northern Experience

RUMBLE ALBERTA™ “SEE ALBERTA THROUGH THE EYES OF A TOURIST”

PUBLISHED

BY ZXTouring MEDIAMag© FOR THE CMTA 1 Our Alberta

COVER PHOTO BY CALLEN LEHMAN MEDIA

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The Adventures of Carla + Regan

CONTENT

South Route 7 ..........................................Pages 4 - 13 A Dream Vacation to Northeast AB.......Pages 15 -18 The winner of the BarrelBossQ is..........Page 20 UP IN SMOKE!.........................................Pages 21 - 25 Photography by Gail Doy.........................Pages 28 - 29 South Route 7 - A Different Take...........Pages 30 - 36 Rumbling Northwest Alberta...................Pages 37 - 38 GRABB - Gravel Across Alberta............Pages 39 - 51 Glamping - NW AB Route 10..................Pages 52 - 59

How to Rumble Alberta!

Explore - Save - Earn Points - Win Swag & Prizes!

Made for families, friends or solitary travellers, there’s something for everyone of all ages, no matter what they drive.

Rumble Alberta Touring Challenges get you out of the door + exploring the many hidden gems across Alberta.

Explore any, or all of the 44 Highway + the Adventure Routes - or you can mix them up.

Find the hidden gems when you travel anywhere in Alberta.

Two Ways to Play: Just Explore - Play For Free: Check out the route maps at RumbleAlberta.com.

Download your choice and follow the routes.

Discover more when you download the History Check app and explore your favorite places on the route maps.

Rumble Alberta - Play the Game!

Purchase your event pass to play at www.rumblealberta.com $25 per Seasonal Rumble (Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring) Each challenge site has a number to search in History Check to find the challenge.

Each site will tell you what challenge you are to complete - Selfies - Scenic Images - Trivia Do the challenges & you’ll earn points towards our growing list of Themed or Route prizes.

High point earners win!

RumbleAlberta.Com Our Alberta Touring Magazine© is produced by: ZX Media Ltd. for the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association For Advertizing or Editorial inquiries please contact: Krista Malden: kmalden@communitynowmagazine.com 3

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The Adventures of Carla + Regan

Southern Alberta Route 7, Cochrane to Medicine Hat or The Adventures of Carla and Regan!

Stories and photos by Carla + Regan Lehman Five days, 1500 kilometers, a mother and daughter duo creating a legacy of memories to treasure, while exploring and discovering incredible points of interest, having adventures, touring galleries, shops and businesses.

natural and most importantly, they keep the wolfdogs safe.

Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary offers a variety of tour including guided, self-guided and the much coveted interactive tour. Book the interactive tour a couple of weeks in advance as it fills up quickly. Find them online at: www.yamnuskawolfdogsanctuary.com Next on our tour was a stop at our hotel and Rumble Alberta sponsor, the Stony Nakoda Resort and Casino (B).

Regan and I left our home in east central Alberta early on Monday morning. The first leg of the trip was a four hour drive to Kananaskis, where Regan and I explored the area and took part in the local Rumble Alberta and History Check challenges.

We travelled to Exshaw where we were greeted with an incredible mural. I’m not telling you what it is, you’ll need to visit to see it – and trust me, it’s worth the visit.

While there, the Legion, above, is a must see, and is part of the Rumble Alberta Legion Challenge!

While it’s not on the Rumble Alberta tour YET, it’s a true must see, the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary gives one the chance to tour the location and view the wolfdogs. The enclosures are huge, very

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It’s a perfect stopping point for anyone wanting to visit Kananaskis.

The Loster Mac + Cheese (L) was simply devine.

Regan (L) and Kasha (Top) at Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary

Southern Alberta Route 7

The rooms are fresh and clean, the hotel itself is bright and open with great mountain and wilderness décor.

The staff are friendly and helpful, and the restaurant, “The Ridge” offers an excellent and comprehensive menu.

It’s family friendly, and has a great selection of offerings.

I highly recommend the Lobster Mac & Cheese.

The hotel boasts a hot tub and pool for a round of relaxation after a day of hiking and touring.

Camping was an adventure and together with Regan, an easy experience, we pitched in (pun intended) to get our tent, mattress and bedding all set up.

We were set up in bear c ountry in a back country area so it was extremely important to keep all of our food and even water locked away, and we had bear spray with us as an extra precaution. After setting up

For those who want to try their luck, the casino is large, has a selection of games and the Sidelines Lounge mixes a great Ceasar.

Sit back, relax, watch the game, or take a break from the casino floor. Get the best rate guarantee at www.stoneynakodaresort.com.

After a restful sleep in a comfy hotel, Regan and I decided to rough it the next night and so we camped in Exshaw.

Between the two of us, we were able to set up our tent in about half an hour, and were fully set up and ready to go after about an hour.

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we travelled to the next sponsor on the tour, Boundary Ranch for an incredible 2 hour Ridge Ride. This is only one of the Regan (Above) and our guide many tours that Courtney (Below) the ranch offers.

They have others that include overnight trips, lunch and steak trips, surf and saddle trip which is a ride and a rafting tour, and the Woof & Hoof package, my personal favourite. Cont’d

The Adventures of Carla + Regan

The Ridge Ride takes the rider through lush forest, along the mountain ridge to view and enjoy the mountain vistas, and through some challenging terrain.

Not to worry, though, your mounts are sure footed, and will choose the path down that suits them best.

All you need to do is sit back and relax. Our guide, Courtney, was from Australia; we shared stories of our love for horses, nature and the mountains.

If you love riding and great views then I truly suggest that you check out their website to book a trail ride or an adventure package at boundaryranch.com.

Before heading back to our tent, Regan had the best poutine in the Rockies, and I enjoyed the homemade soup.

The following morning, we tore down our tent and hit the next stop on the tour, the Iron Goat Pub & Grill in Canmore.

must stop on your visit to Canmore.

We tried the baked brie, delicious with a unique chutney to give it some zing. Check out their website: www.irongoat.ca it will give you some great info on their venue as a place for weddings and other special events as well as their amazing menu!

Once we finished our meals, we visited Stop A on the map.

Cochrane This town requires a few hours if you’re a shopper.

The main street is charming and sweet, full of unique shops and restaurants. We made a special trip to the very

As a tour sponsor, they offer 15% off food orders, and have a selfie challenge. The restaurant boasts soaring ceilings, a large patio, upstairs dining with patio – and a wine cellar. The view of the Bow Valley is unmatched at this mountainside restaurant.

The restaurant is located at 703 Benchlands Trail, and is a

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Southern Alberta Route 7

popular Horse Creek Heritage Candy and Gifts.

This store is every child’s dream, full of so many different

treats and hand made chocolates that are melt in your mouth divine. The back of the store has a gift emporium, much of the products are created by local artisans.

I was able to pick up baby gifts, shower gifts and Christmas gifts. This was a perfect stop for both my candy loving kid, and my wish to find interesting and unique gifts for those I care about.

They do have a pretty good website where you can order candy and gifts - if you can’t get there, it’s the next best thing! horsecreek.ca Heading into Bragg Creek, you’ll immediately see boutiques, ice cream parlours and galleries.

We stopped in at The Painted Moose Gallery. The gallery is an artist’s collective full of unique wares, such as vintage bespoke jean jackets, jewellery, paintings and pottery, it’s a lovely spot, well priced, and a perfect spot to browse and shop.

We also stopped at the Bragg Creek Trading post.

This store is a true legacy, opened in the early 1900s and it’s still in the same family. The smell of hand tanned hides takes one back in time, and to view the incredible native crafts, handmade moccasins and mukluks, dream

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catchers and sweaters. Be sure to stop by and visit, ask for the history of the trading post, and to see the pictures of the flood and subsequent restoration.

The original doors were found floating down the river, restored and hung back where they belong.

It’s an incredible location and an incredible story.

The Trading Post is located at 117 White Ave, Bragg Creek., Alberta. Cont’d

The Adventures of Carla + Regan

A big part of the Rumble road tours are the challenges, and we enjoyed touring villages and hamlets, taking selfies and taking scenic shots in Priddis and Millarville.

There are plenty of little hidden gems here, walking trails, parks, pubs and restaurants. As you’re travelling, be sure to download the History Check App to keep up with the challenges. https://HistoryCheck.ca

From Turner Valley, we headed to Black Diamond, where we took a selfie in front of the big black diamond, and visited the Black Diamond Gallery.

Above: Lobby, Lakeview Inns + Suites, Okotoks AB We spent the night in Okotoks at the Lakeview Inn & Suites. It’s a nice hotel, the rooms are bright, beds comfy.

Breakfast was included and offered a good selection of fare. The hotel is laid out nicely and the décor reminiscent of the mountains.

Find them at https://www.lakeviewhotels.com/okotoks/ Regan and I headed to Turner Valley, the home of Heartland. It’s a beautiful spot, quiet and cozy, with some fun stops like the patio at the Eau Claire Distillery.

It’s home to art imported from Bali, Turkey, Morocco & the Middle East.

Regan and I found our perfect pieces, a life-size driftwood horse for me and a life-size driftwood dinosaur for her.

It’s a great place to explore, with all price points, from the simple to the extravagant, and the stock changes regularly,

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Southern Alberta Route 7

and has signed copies – you have got to stop in and pick up your copy. As well as Debra’s photographic art, there are several artists on display with bronze work, watercolours and framed prints.

Visit them at 134 Morrison Road, just off the Cowboy Trail.

One of the challenges on the Rumble Alberta tour is to visit and photograph the last remaining grain elevators in the province.

These sentinels of the prairie are now a rare find, and a treat.

The Azure Grain Elevator is on the list, easy to find, and fun to find a unique angle to photograph.

Be sure to stay off the property as it is on private property, however, that very fact means it is a chance to exercise your create photography muscles. Cont’d

it’ll never be the same visit twice!

We made a stop at Longview, a real treat to explore.

If you find yourself growing weary, stop in at the Longview Tales & Trails Campground to overnight.

Then, head out to the Garside Wilson Gallery by Debra Garside and Donna Wilson. Debra received her new book, Wild Horses the very day that we stopped in,

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The Adventures of Carla + Regan

High River is a town that feels like home.

Whether it’s a visit to the Museum of the Highwood for a tour of area history, Heartland memorabilia and a selfie

or a walk down to Maggie’s Diner for a quick pic, there is plenty to do here.

High River is currently the site of filming for a Netflix series, Black Summer, and if you look hard enough, you’ll find some street signs that seem out of place, or you may even get to see live filming happening.

Regan and I also completed a couple of challenges here, visiting the Royal Canadian Legion and

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checking out the local fishing pond as part of the kid’s fishing challenge.

We stopped at Brant to photograph the working grain elevator, and along the drive, got a real sense of the Southern Alberta prairies, deer and antelope at play.

The route along the highway took us to Vulcan, Star Trek central.

The Enterprise monument is a must see, selfie nirvana!

Across the street, visit the Tourism Center for a tour and photos, and grab an ice cream from the restaurant.

Southern Alberta Route 7

Make a stop in Champion to visit the Legion as part of the tour Challenge.

The History Check App will give you all the details you need. Another meandering route will take you to Vauxhall, which is everything that stories of small town Alberta depict; small, quiet, little children playing free and with abandon. Visit the Legion, grab a photo, and continue your route.

The next leg of the drive is a long one, following a meandering route through pasture and prairie, hills, bridges and valleys. It’s a land of cattle, irrigation and antelope, and a pretty tour.

As you come up to Redcliff, take a drive through the picturesque town and locate the legion for the second last Legion Challenge of Route 6.

A short jaunt will bring you to Medicine Hat, famous for being one of the sunniest cities in Canada.

Our hotel here was at the Comfort Inn and Suites, and it is here, we received maybe the best, most personalized service we’ve ever received at a hotel.

Christina, Operations Manager, was welcoming, friendly, and a fount of information.

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The rooms are clean, modern and decorated with local art.

The bathrooms – wow – roomy and clean – and the shower heads are so far beyond what one would expect at a hotel.

The TVs have Chromecast, a nice change to the standard cable fare. The pool is much larger than most Cont’d

The Adventures of Carla + Regan Badlands Harley-Davidson has a large showroom with a variety of motorcycles and trikes on display, and a special Bike of the Week highlighted each week.

As well as the bikes, there is a wide variety of apparel, boots and helmets to peruse.

hotels and has a hot tub for parents to relax while the kids play. Breakfast fare consisted of omelettes, bacon and potato wedges, better than any continental breakfast I’ve had.

The shop is open and welcoming, and has a spot for a weary traveller to stop for a break, a coffee and a visit.

If you are into camping, check out the Gas City Campground, 402 11 Ave SW, Medicine Hat.

Ivan, his family and staff are there to welcome you.

Find them at 923 2 Ave #3Km, Dunmore.

After our amazing breakfast at the Comfort Inn & Suites Medicine Hat, we visited Badlands Harley, a family owned and operated business.

This visit was a real treat, as we got to ride a Harley Trike, chauffeured by owner Ivan.

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Make a point of touring Medicine Hat and checking out the sites, stores, restaurants, and the World’s Largest Teepee, constructed for the 1988 Winter Olympics.

Don’t forget to find the Legion, the last on this leg of the tour.

Route 7 South of the Rumble Alberta Touring Challenges has so much to see, it could take more than the five days we

Southern Alberta Route 7

completed it in to truly explore at a leisurely pace.

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.

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.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE RURAL ALBERTA MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AS WE STRIVE TO BRING TOURISTS TO RURAL ALBERTA! 13

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Come Experience the Sand in Our Playground!

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explorewoodbuffalo.ca

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A Dream Vacation to Northeast AB

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

In the two mornings I spent at the Heritage Village, I broke

One thing that caught my eye was a calendar. Cont’d

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A Dream Vacation to Northeast AB

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.

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.

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.

“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

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A Dream Vacation to Northeast AB

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.

Back to Fort McMurray I went,

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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

A Dream Vacation to Northeast AB

All scenes to align the mind after a busy day.

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.

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.

I however like to expand my taste buds when I am out and about. I was able to try such eateries as “The Fish Place”

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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 With gratitude to our key sponsors and all sponsors:

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The winner of the BarrelBossQ is...

The WINNER of the BBQ Photo Challenge is......

PIERRE-LUC DUFOUR of Stony Plain , AB

Click the photo above to see the video

The WINNER of

smoker inspires from this small company owner and his partner in rub making - his wife Kayla.

Just another way Rumble Alberta is helping small business!

Our partner in this giveaway: www.barrelbossq.ca Above - the winning photo On December 13th Pierre-Luc Dufour from Rub Em Down in Stony Plain picked up his new BarrelBossQ Smoker at Blackjacks Roadhouse in Nisku, AB. He submitted the winning photo above and earned a lion’s share of the votes in our BBQ Photo challenge.

This winner immediately took his ‘Q’ home and began smoking meat - we can’t wait to see the rubs that this

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UP IN SMOKE!

Photos by Callen Lehman Media Story by Belt Drive Betty What happens when you put together with a burn out pit, no noise ordinance, an enthusuastic audience of about 2,000 and a great cause?

You get one of the most off the hook events of the riding season. With tons of vendors on hand, food and beverages flowing, the energy was incredible sof the September 15th Up in Smoke event in support of One Broken Biker.

This is what Blackjacks Roadhouse has become known for.

Events that electrify you!

Clarence Shields, his daughter Krysta and in-house Media guru Tyler Grant are quite the team. All summer long they host thousands upon thousands of riders for fifty or more events, helping the riding community and the charitable causes it supports raise money and awareness.

Over the years this team has built a solid list of sponsors, bands, equipment suppliers and more. This means that when a non-profit or charity is in need of a place to host an

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event, they don’t need to work half as hard as they would at other venues. Everything can be supplied in-house if you need it to be.

This team and the staff that back them up do their level best to ensure that everyone has a great experience and at the end of the day it is that hard work and dedication to commmunity that has seen them earn award after award for their community service.

And in return, the community loves them right back!

UP IN SMOKE!

Q from Belt Drive Betty: Callen, what was it like for you photographing and videoing a burnout competition for the first time?

A from Callen Lehman of Callen Lehman Media: OFF THE HOOK!

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UP IN SMOKE!

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UP IN SMOKE!

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UP IN SMOKE!

When I asked this young up and coming influencer, Callen Lehman of Callen Lehman Media what her favourite part of the entire evening at Blackjacks Roadhouse was her answer was swift and came instinctively: “The people”.

“I have never met so many people who are all smiles and so revved up and excited. They really love life and it shows.” said Callen.

There were a number of vendors on hand and with a crowd that size, it rapidly became old home week with hugs and laughter, catching up and sharing a few stories.

The last major event of the 2021 Riding season was definately a must do event!

Belt Drive Betty

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PROUD COMMUNITY SUPPORT! Standing up for CHANGE, TRUTH & a Stronger More Vibrant Community.

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Visit the digital passholders savings book at: SAVINGS BOOK

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Photography by Gail Doy fotofija@outlook.com @PhotoByGailDoy

The thrill of watching the bikes as they pass by on the highway.

You hear them before you see their headlights appear way off in the distance.

This is the moment that I thrive on.

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Photography by Gail Doy If it’s a large ride much like Ride for Dad or Edmonton Toy Run with over 700 bikes then you have probably seen me standing on the side of road snapping away with my trusty camera.

In the past few years I have been a part of The Ride for Dad, Ride for Mom, Edmonton Toy Run, UBAKA Toy Run, Rig Riders Poker Run, RIPEM, Blackjacks Bike Night, Little Warriors Poker Run, Ride for Reconciliation, UBAKA’s Annual Poker Run, Hogapalooza Poker Run, Six Pak Saloon Poker Run, Christopher Lenz Memorial Ride, Edmonton Motorcycle Show.

For me it’s all about raising awareness for charity based organizations with the images taken of the motorcycle and it’s rider!

I am available for photo shoots, casual functions, events in Edmonton or the surrounding area. Gail Doy For consultations please email me at: fotofija@outlook.com

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South Route 7 - A Different Take

Cochrane to Medicine Hat - by Tannis Baker + Rhe Green

Starting your day (and road trip) with an ice cream cone is certainly a way to get things off on the right foot - so to kick off our Rumble Alberta Route South 7 road trip, we started at Mackay’s Ice Cream in Cochrane.

Try the haskap berry or the maple bacon, or if you’re feeling super adventurous - the HALO HALO (white bean/coconut based off the Filipino dessert), KULFI (saffron/pistachio of Indian origin) or KESO (sharp cheddar from the Philippines).

The locally-made ice cream is always rich and creamy, and while preference of flavours may come, go and change with the times, the long-standing tradition of quality remains.

Right next door to Mackay’s, you absolutely have to stop at Horse Creek Heritage Candy & Gifts, because what better way to top off some delicious ice cream than with

Nestled in the charming historic downtown, this little stop has been a long-standing tradition since 1948.

While what has stayed the same is lovely, the evolution is both remarkable and intriguing. another sugar rush?! Inside, you will find a fun collection of candy (both new and older varieties), knick-knacks, and local artisan products like the locally-made Enceladus Chocolates. Displayed individually on a rack similar to

Run by the third generation, the little parlor has really had fun with the flavours. While it is important to keep the traditionalist happy with flavours like vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry - it’s the new flavours that keep the palate surprised.

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South Route 7 - A Different Take

jewellery, it makes it very easy to shop and find just what you want and for the right quantities.

A fun selection of salt water taffy called “Candy for Grown-Ups” was so fresh and chewy that even kids will enjoy it! There’s also a delightful assortment of locally-produced farm products, MOB Honey and Solstice Berry saskatoon jams, pies and frozen berries. Feeling something savory?

There is also a full selection of beef jerky from Medicine Hat Meat Traders.

A great little place to drop into and stock up on road trip snacks, especially if there is a lineup for ice cream.

We were introduced to Guy’s Cafe & Bakery by a local who swears by their sandwiches and bakery, so we stopped in to check out what the fuss was all about.

As you enter, there was a long lineup already, but the organic coffee, fresh baked bread, and pastries on the counter filled the small space with a wonderful aroma.

This bakery/deli is really a mix between “to go bakery” and “to stay deli”. Customers seemed to be doing an equal mix of both. We opted for the savory Montreal smoked meat scones and the tiramisu cheesecake (Guy helped us with that decision) and we were not disappointed.

The cheesecake was creamy and delicious, and the fresh mint lemonade was served blended up margarita style with

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tart lemonade and fresh mint was a perfect drink for the super hot day. They are closed on Sundays, but otherwise open at 7:00am daily.

Cruising our way down towards Bragg Creek, the landscape is absolutely breathtaking. Between the slopes of the foothills and the rockies to the west, it doesn’t get much more beautiful than that!

Coming into the town, we headed straight for Preserved.

South Route 7 - A Different Take

This exciting space is fun for kids and adults alike, blending artisan and food vendors with kids activities and adventure parks.

The park is open seven days a week, but the vendors and kiosk are open only Friday to Sunday (meaning those are the best days to go if you want the full experience).

You may have come across some of the food from chef and owner Vanessa Rundell if you are from the Calgary area. Before starting up Preserved, Vanessa worked in numerous kitchens around Calgary.

She adds so much value and flavour to the food community. Passionate about local, Vanessa sources her fruits and vegetables from all over the province, making new connections with local growers from small family farms to larger established Alberta farms.

From jams and jellies to mustards and cocktail syrups, the Preserved lineup is everything you want stocked in your pantry on the regular. After all, you never know when you’ll need to throw together a charcuterie board at the last minute!

Farm gates and local food spots across Alberta also stock Preserved products, so you can find them at great spots like DNA gardens, Cams Carrots, Gull Lake and Rosy Farms.

Best of all, the jars are small enough to fit in your saddle bags, or for gifts for the hard-to-shop-for relatives.

With a small detour along the route, you can experience Granary Road, a destination farmers’ market meets theme park in De Winton.

The upscale market offers a delightful range of products from Cravings Bakery and coffee, to the curated meats and cheeses from Luc’s European Meats, to fresh fruit and vegetables, to sauces and mustards. They even have their own aquaponic produce being grown in greenhouses at the back of the lot. This is a great space to stop for a coffee, lunch, or to grab some snacks for the road.

There are always different events and celebrations happening, from family fun fairs, to garlic fest, and even to goat yoga!

While we did not venture into the Active Learning Park (it’s geared primarily at kids), you could certainly burn off some energy if you have some time to spend the day.

Continuing the beautiful drive through the Foothills, we wound our way up to a picturesque stop outside of Millarville.

High on a hill sits Forage & Farm, a place you can get lost in the views.

The husband and wife team of James and Cheryl own both an award-winning black garlic business and a forge shop.

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South Route 7 - A Different Take Quality and attention to detail are the first things that come to mind when you walk into Eau Claire Distillery.

If you’ve never had black garlic, the flavour is like sweet, smooth balsamic with smoky undertones and a soft, fig-like texture.

President and co-owner David Farran is no new-comer to the industry. Having honed his skills at Big Rock in the 1980’s, he was well positioned to start this exciting grain to glass project.

With beautiful copper stills, grains hand harvested by a team of horses, and a fresh, pure water source, you have all the elements to make world class spirits. Creating award-winning spirits including vodka, gins, whiskeys and unique seasonals, Eau Claire is the preferred brand at many local restaurants across Alberta and around the world.

Theirs is exceptional, and they have the awards to prove it (including a Made in Alberta award in 2019).

It can be found in several restaurants and specialty grocers throughout Southern Alberta.

New to the property this year is a farm store where you can purchase their garlic and preserves, the metalwork and art pieces, as well as other Alberta artisan products.

Be sure to book an appointment to visit!

In the summer months, fresh garlic scapes are available, and year-round you can purchase their garlic preserves.

The fall is time for the garlic harvest, so if you are planning a trip, you may want to select September. If you have a bit of extra time, they also have blacksmithing and homestead classes so ditch your cell phone and spend some time getting your hands dirty.

If the sun is over the yardarm, it might be time to stop for a tour!

Nestled near the main intersection in the charming town of Turner Valley is Alberta’s first craft distillery.

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Their tasting room blends rustic charm with a level of sophistication, making it the perfect place for casual and formal affairs. The patio is perfect for hot summer days and sipping cocktail flights (that’s right - you can try flights of their cocktails).

If you have a little extra time to spend, tours are available of the distillery, and the new Prohibition Experience at their speakeasy down the street is a delightful trip back in time (available Friday & Saturdays only, or by private booking for large groups).

South Route 7 - A Different Take As we made our way into High River, our bellies were rumbling, so we looked for something different to satisfy our cravings.

Rio Alto Authentic Mexican Food did just the trick!

Authentic is a word often thrown around when it comes to food, so understanding exactly what that means is a question we are always interested in.

This is a lovely little spot with a great atmosphere and reasonable prices.

We hit the road again, with happy bellies and high spirits.

Rolling into Medicine Hat, the summer heat had us ready for a way to cool down so we headed straight for Swirls Ice Cream.

We had a chance to chat with owner Hector Lopez and learn a bit more about this fun little spot.

Located just a few blocks from the museum, this little restaurant has a quiet charm, and the food is as authentic as the owner, with a real connection to how it is prepared in Mexico.

You are welcomed with a little chips and salsa as you decide the rest of your meal.

The cactus salad was intriguing and unlike any salad we had previously tried - surprisingly fresh although they were not shy with the dressing. The cactus is brought in frozen, and peeled daily for the salads. The beans were creamy, the burritos were tasty and the sauces were fresh and delicious, with just a hint of heat.

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The bright pink building with the neon lights let you know you have arrived before you get there.

A staple in Medicine Hat for over 30 years, Swirls has built a reputation as a go-to spot for cool treats.

There is a dual line-up - one for cash and one for debit payments - so make sure that you are in the right one from the start!

Deciding what to get is going to be one of the toughest decisions that you will make! From waffle cones to sundaes to other frozen treats and dozens of flavours to

South Route 7 - A Different Take choose from, it’s a good thing the wait in line is on the longer side so that you have time to make your choice!

After watching numerous treats walk by, we settled on a cone and a turtle sunday, and couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.

after a long day of cruising.

The ice cream was the perfect treat to enjoy on the outdoor picnic benches

Another must see is the Medalta Museum, located in the historic clay district.

This museum is situated on the century-old ceramics factory which was operational between 1912 and 1954.

Outside the museum, you can see four beehive shaped kilns that were built when the factory opened.

Inside the museum, you can see the excavation site for another kiln that was demolished when the factory was repurposed as a warehouse, but the structural base is still intact and on display under a glass floor.

The museum is also host to a large collection of vintage crocks and early pottery bearing the MEDALTA mark.

These displays of crocks, bowls and other ceramics tell the tale of times prior to refrigeration , and of the evolving food history of Alberta.

The final stop of our Rumble Alberta Route South 7 has us enjoying an incredible meal with stunning views.

The Clubhouse at Paradise Valley is nestled in the valley below Saamis Teepee (the world’s tallest teepee), and offers delightful space to kick back and relax.

Out of the clubhouse window, you can look onto the

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South Route 7 - A Different Take Par 3 golf course, or from the outdoor patio, look up at the Saamis from the bottom of the valley.

The menu is full of comfort food, perfect for after a round of golf (or for after a long road trip, in our case).

A great deal of care has gone into sourcing local ingredients and supporting the farms and producers from the area, including brews from the three local craft breweries, and cocktails using Grit City Distillery.

Some of the vegetables are from the Rolling Hills Greenhouse right up the road! They also grow some of the fresh herbs onsite.

They have repeatedly won local awards for their exceptional dining experience, so if you’re wanting a great meal, it’s definitely the place to go!

The golf course itself is very accessible, offering adult green fees under $20,or a large bucket of balls for the driving range for under $10. This is a great stop to finish your ride and enjoy some time in Medicine Hat. 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 province wide dine around festival every August during Alberta Local Food Week.

Learn More: AlbertaOnThePlate.com | FoodTourismStrategies.com Follow on Instagram & Facebook: @abontheplate | @foodtourismstrategies

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With discounts at several regional and national hotel chains, the Never Ride Alone Program and 30 days of Premium Membership on the Wolf Pack App this is a great FREE Membership whether you Ride or not!

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Rumbling Northwest Alberta

Story and photos by Craig Oldfield of Ridin’ Alberta A Facebook Group

My first full day in Grande Prairie had started off with a meeting over breakfast with Renee ‘Belt Drive Betty’ Charbonneau, the executive director of the Canadian MotorcycleTourism Association.

We mostly chatted about why I was brought to Northern Alberta and how I would go about promoting the region as a destination for two wheeled tourism.

I’m not new to the tourism game since I graduated with an Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership degree from Mt. Royal University and spent the last 6 years as a “local” guide in the Canadian Rockies.

After sorting out a few details Renee and I set out for one of the local motorsports shops where we would meet Chase.Chase is A 20 year resident and an avid motorcycle rider with plenty of experience riding one of his many bikes on almost every backroad around the Grande Prairie Region. He also happens to be a salesman at Stojan’s Power Sports & Marine.

important intersections or spots where he knew we could get some good photos. So off we rode.

A few minutes down the road he did exactly that and signaled left as we crossed the bridge over the Simonette River.

We pulled our bikes right up to the bank and managed to get some nice shots with the river as our backdrop.

It’s easy to take great photos anytime you have streams, lakes, mountains, valleys and other wild places in the background. All things we have an abundance of in our beautiful province.

Once we felt we had exhausted every possible angle and had a quick drink we set off again.

Chase and I discussed a few options and after getting the rest of the day off to go out riding with me we set a meeting time and place. Having a planned ride with a local to guide me made me very happy since by now I was itching to get out of town and see some new countryside.

I of course was running late and my tardiness was compounded when I realized I didn’t bring my preferred riding gloves and had to make a pit stop at one of the bike shops to grab a new set.

I hated to make Chase wait but it took a couple minutes to choose new gloves since you need to get the gear that not only fits but also feels good.

Riding gear is kind of like hockey equipment in that equipment needs to feel just right, almost to the point of being superstitious. Luckily I had found a perfect fit and so off we went on our exploration of some gravel backroads south of Grand Prairie.

Once off the highway and onto the secondary gravel road Chase and I stopped and decided I would lead since I usually ride a bit slower than he does and this allowed me to set a comfortable pace.

He said he would catch up or overtake me at any

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Back on the bike we now found each other’s rhythm.

Each rider has a different style and it can take a while to adjust to riding with someone new but this time we feel into the same groove quickly.

Our duo now moved quickly on the hard packed gravel and the miles sped by.

There aren’t too many roads in this area that lead off of these main arteries so sticking to the “right” road is fairly easy and after another stop and about an hour of riding we made a turn signaling our halfway point.

We made two more stops on this windy section of our route called the Canfor 2000 road. One of them was at a

Rumbling Northwest Alberta

campsite along the banks of the Smoky River which again offered up ample opportunity to get some great photos.

After leaving the campsite we only had a little more gravel to ride until we hit the pavement that would lead us back into town.

Once on the hardtop we could open up the bikes and Chase took the lead. He led me onto a twisty little backroad on the edge of town and after a couple more grin inducing corners we had arrived back in Grand Prairie.

Being back in civilization and dealing with the traffic made the day’s journey feel that much sweeter. It really was an awesome way to spend my first afternoon of riding in the North Country.

Once he dropped me off at my hotel, the Best Western Grande Prairie, I thanked Chase for being such a great guide and headed to my room with a grin on my face and he tore off and headed for home.

Just one more great person that I have met (and will hopefully ride with again) simply because I ride a motorcycle.

Craig, @RidinAlberta #RumbleAlberta www.rumblealberta.com #GrandePlan

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Gravel Across Alberta

Completed by Dean Anderson in October 2021 Online version of blog article and many more: https://andersonsoutside.blogspot.com/ Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/GRAABChallenge For any questions, you can message me through Facebook link above or send me an email at dino_dino_dino_@hotmail.com.

The GRAAB Challenge – Gravel Across Alberta was certainly that, a challenge!

The Origin I dreamt up this idea because I wanted to ride across Alberta. I thought there must be a good way to get across AB on the road less travelled and why not take pictures of interesting landmarks on the way. Elk Pass seemed like the best choice to start since it is on the border of BC and it’s not on a busy road.

With the BC-AB border snaking along the Rocky Mountains, there are not many crossing points that are not back country hiking trails or busy highways. Next, I looked for a finish point. Of all the border towns along the southern part of the AB-SK border, what better finishing landmark than the World’s Largest Bunnock in Macklin SK. Then I searched for interesting landmarks between those two points and pieced together a route that stayed on gravel or off road most of the way.

photos of the landmarks, and anyone could do it whenever they wanted. People could do it at a touring pace or at a faster race-ish pace. If going fast, times could be compared for the all so important bragging rights. Lol! My schedule worked out and I was able to give it a shot during a fall weekend! It would be so exciting to see the varying landscape of Alberta in the fall colors!

I wanted to do it as fast as I could but also take care of myself a bit better than some other rides like this that I have done.

That means a bit more sleep. And I did sleep a bit more… although only a little bit more. I also stopped for meals more often than I would usually do on these kinds of rides.

It was nice to just ride at my pace without having the race mentality. Go as quick as you can but stop and smell the roses (or maybe the freshly made Subway sandwich -YUM).

Another fairly new thing to me was using a geared bike. I typically ride single speed but wanted to give this gear thing a try. I managed to source an XT shifter and derailleur and Dale at Rollingdale Cycle added them to the bike.

Overall, it was a success! Even though there were some paved roads, they were either not busy or had a big enough shoulder that I never felt like I was on a heavily traveled road the whole ride.

The Trial Run I posted the 600km route to social media and made a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GRAABchallenge.

I wanted the route to be out there for others to try but for it also to be a laid-back challenge. I thought a Facebook page would be a fun way for those that ride the route to post their

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Gears, what a novelty!

Gravel Across Alberta

My wife Kristin and sister Joyce dropped my off at the Elk Pass trailhead on Friday morning. Before even starting the GRAAB, I had to ride about 5.5km and 270m of climbing. It was a bit cold, about 5°C so I didn’t mind warming up with a bit of a climb.

The fall colours already were breathtaking! This stretch of trail is part of the Tour Divide and Alberta Rockies 700 so it was familiar territory.

Starting time 9:37am September 24, 2021.

I zipped down the hill excited to see what was in store for me over the next couple of days. I travelled down the double track I just came up, then turned into some gentle single track through Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. This is such a nice portion of trail that winds through the pine forest.

On the way up!

The ride to the top took about 40 minutes. Once at the top, I took my photos, turned around and went back the way I came. The inaugural GRAAB ride begins!

I went down into the Boulton Creek Campground and up Whiskey Jack Trail until I got to Hwy 40. This is a short segment of pavement until the route turns left onto the steeeep climb up to Elbow Lake. The mountains were amazing in the morning sun. Typically, the forest is all green on the sides of the mountains. At this time of year there were these strips of gold going up the mountainside with the leaves changing colour.

Landmark 1.

Elk Valley Arch.

The first selfie

Hwy 40: Pictures never do it justice!

I turned onto the rocky double track that led up to Elbow Lake. Steep, steep, steep. With the geared bike I was able to climb most of it, but when I found like I was working too hard, I got off and walked. I had to make sure not to burn any matches. There was still a long way to go! Cont’d

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Gravel Across Alberta

The trail was pretty busy with hikers, horses, and one other guy on a bike. As I walked up a steep climb, I chatted with a guy and his two young children. Those kids were doing awesome with their big packs

The trail led me into a flat, open section with mountains towering on either side. I’ll say it again, it was awesome!

The trail was quite rocky, and I was thinking how this might be on a gravel bike. I was pretty happy with my 50mm wide tires and suspension fork. You may be able to ride a skinnier tire gravel bike, but it would probably be pretty rough.

First view of Elbow Lake.

Once I got to Elbow Lake, I was blown away with how beautiful it was! I rode the other way on this trail during the Alberta Rockies 500 COVID Edition in 2020 but did it in the middle of the night so I missed all the scenery.

This rough, rocky trail continued all the way to the Little Elbow campground. If you are going to do this route on a rigid, skinny tire gravel bike, beware of this section!

Another view of Elbow Lake.

Open meadow. Amazing! See the gold and reds!

Yet another view of Elbow Lake. The view blew me away!

The trail snakes down into the valley.

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Gravel Across Alberta

I chatted with the other biker, and he seemed surprised I was going to Saskatchewan. I carried on and was enjoying the downhill bits through the big rocks. Fun!

New bridge across the river.

Singletrack reroute looking back.

a group (or is it a pack?) of horses and riders. Since horses are living beings and I didn’t want to startle them, I stopped on the side of the trail and let them pass. I don’t know much about horses and didn’t know how they would react to a bike flying by at 30kph.

The cowpeople (politically correct way of saying cowboy since there were male and female riders) seemed appreciative. I think I will add stopping for horses to my list of riding policies alongside never riding over Texas gates in my aerobars and always waving at people in cars.

Singletrack looking forward. Gorgeous bit of trail.

I cruised down through the valley and was very happy this section is on the route! It’s a fantastic section to showcase the Rocky Mountains. As I was zipping down the trail, I noticed I was off route. Typically in a bikepacking race, I would have to go back and get on the route. In the GRAAB, going off route a little bit is no big deal, so I stayed on my trail. It was a nice little section of single track that I would alter the route to take when I got back home.

I bombed down the rocks toward the Little Elbow campground. I was enjoying this thoroughly!

Another thing that was different with the geared bike is the ability to gear up. I was holding 30-35kph on some of the downhill sections. I had to be careful not to push too hard.

That’s where a single speed is nice. It keeps you from working too hard on the easy sections so gives you a chance to recover.

There were a few river crossings that were not very deep except for one. I managed to ride through the deep one but saturated my shoes and socks. The water went up to just below my hubs. I hoped my shoes and socks would dry out before it got too cold at night.

At one point as I was flying down a gradual downhill, I saw

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Bridge at Little Elbow Campground.

After the Little Elbow Campground, the gravel roads begin!

I knew I would miss the mountain biking but was looking forward to some faster speeds.

The route turned onto Powderface Trail.

It was nice to settle into the rhythm of climbing and descending on the gravel. Cont’d

Gravel Across Alberta

would have to change the route when I got home.

As I crossed a road, I saw an A&W down the street. Food!

I went down to the little complex, resupplied at the gas station and had a sub at Subway. In Cochrane, I had to find the Men of Vision Cowboy. I tried to make the route go past all the landmarks, but the Cowboy is up on a hill off the trail. I tried taking a selfie from the bottom of the trail but the picture looked lame, so I went up the hill to get right beside the statue. Below: Lame selfie from the trail.

Lots of this on Powderface Trail.

After Powderface, there was a bit of pavement on Sibbald Creek Trail. It was a nice break after all the elevation of the day. I could see the mountains getting a bit smaller as I made my way into the foothills.

Below: Much less lame selfie.

Sibbald Creek Trail.

I continued to be blown away by the fall colours!

Just before Cochrane, I stopped to use the facilities (a bush) and checked my cell reception. I had some so I posted my Elk Pass photos to the GRAAB Facebook page.

(L) The start of many wide open prairie views.

The scenery was opening up and I was starting to see more farmland. I got to Cochrane about 5:00 or 5:30 and started riding on their local foot/bike paths. The route showed going on the road at one part so

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Below: The Cochrane cowboy looks off into the sunrise contemplating life.

Gravel Across Alberta

I left Cochrane with a full belly and good spirits. I climbed as the sun set and was looking forward to seeing Airdrie.

Cochrane at sunset.

The tailwind was strong that night, my friends. I whipped down the roads toward Airdrie enjoying the easy, fast pedalling. I got into Airdrie about 11:00pm and wanted some more food. I saw a Co-op gas station, but it was closed. I was happy to see that the Tim Hortons next door was not! I got some supper and breakfast and filled up my water.

I would usually call Kristin while I ate, but there was a pack of youths nearby swearing and being loud like kids do at that age. I ate my sandwich amused by the youths posturing amongst themselves by being as annoying and loud as possible. I remember those irrational, carefree days.After eating I kept riding on the paths of Airdrie slaloming around more disenfranchised youths in the dark (ringing my bell of course).

I got to the Korean Totem Poles (Above and to the right as well) and crossed another landmark off the list.

I continued through Airdrie on my way to Irricana still enjoying the tailwind.

I arrived at Old Smoky the Horse at about 12:30am and took my photos.

I wondered if anyone saw me and thought it was strange some guy on a bike was taking selfies with a horse statue in the middle of the night.

Bridge across Hwy 2 I went on to look for the truck and tractor on a pole only a couple of kilometers away. When I got where they were supposed to be, there was nothing there except an auto recycling yard. I went up and down the road in the dark looking for them to no avail.

Cont’d

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Gravel Across Alberta They must have torn them down for this auto yard.

They would have to be removed from the list.

Nut on a bike by Old Smoky the Horse. Below

Selfie with Squirt.

On to Beiseker! I went to see Squirt the Skunk. Squirt was the start and finish of the Hurt’n Albert’n 550 (HA550) that I rode a few years back, so I knew he was in the little campground in town. I rode into the campground and wanted to get a couple hours of sleep. I took my photos and looked for a bush to sleep beside.

Old Smokey the Horse! Above.

Squirt in the dark. No lights so I’m shining my headlight on him.

I rolled out my bivy and laid down to sleep. I did not sleep very well. It felt like I didn’t sleep at all, but when I checked my watch, I actually slept through my alarm! It was a very weird sleep. I packed up in about 6 minutes and headed down the road about 5:00am. It was pretty warm!

Overnight, it only got to down to about 15C. I rode for a little while, then stopped to eat my wrap I bought in Cochrane for breakfast.

Auto recycling yard where the truck and tractor on a pole should be.

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There was one stretch of road that I struggled with hard on the HA550. It’s long and straight, with lots of big up and

Gravel Across Alberta

down climbs. Not mountain-size climbs but still pretty big.

This time doing it was not as bad as back in the HA550, but it was still challenging. One silver lining to this piece of road, was I was riding it during sunrise. As the sun came up, the sky glowed in oranges and reds. Being in the prairie now the sky was huge! The prairie stretched out for miles and miles. On the top of one ridge, I looked back and actually saw the small sawtooth of the mountains in the far distance!

After eating I rolled down the road to the World’s Largest Dinosaur and took my pictures.

Sunrise looking toward the sun.

The fear is real!

That inanimate plaster dinosaur might get me!

Sunrise looking away from the sun. The whole sky was alive with colour!

I arrived in Drumheller at about 10:30am Saturday morning.

I found the Circle K closest to the route and loaded up on some food. I saw a plug behind a nasty, slimy garbage can so plugged my battery pack in and slid the garbage can in front…with my foot. I talked to Kristin while eating my warm ham and cheese burgers. They were actually pretty good!

When I was in the store, I saw a Peace Officer and wondered if he would comment on my bear spray prominently displayed on my shoulder strap.

It’s a more common sight in the Rockies but probably not in the Badlands. I wondered, but he didn’t say anything.

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The World’s Largest Dinosaur!

After the climb out of the river valley Drumheller rests in, the elevation profile is quite flat. I expected to go faster for the remainder of the route. It’s the prairies - it should be flat and it’s all on gravel roads. But then there was the wind. It was so nice to have a tailwind up to this point, but now it shifted into a full-on headwind. The stretch I thought was going to

Gravel Across Alberta

be fast ended up being a slow grind as I was buffeted by the gusts of wind. To add to that, most of the roads were freshly graded so I had to plow into the wind and plow through the thick layer of gravel. I was hard-pressed to get my speed up to 18kph.

After dinner, I went to the second Hanna goose and got my pictures.

Hanna goose taking off into the sunset.

Thick gravel and wind in the face but the scenery was still fabulous!

I kept plugging away. Any progress is good progress. I would make it to Hanna eventually. At one point, I felt tired, so took a nap on the side of the road behind a bush. The grass was already packed down, so it was probably a deer bedding spot. Just after I started riding, a small deer jumped out of the bushes and ran off. Maybe we were both taking a nap.

Thankfully, the wind died down to a less demoralizing level.

Darkness fell and I was blessed with a clear sky and bright moon and stars. The moon was bright enough that I could dimly make out the terrain. There was also a relief from the thick gravel. Some of the section roads went through farmers fields. They consisted of mostly dry clay. This would be hard if it was wet, but it was dry for me, so I rejoiced whenever the route took me on these less maintained roads.

Since they went through farmer’s fields I had to open and close several gates along the way.

I eventually got to Hanna about 7:00pm. This was the last stop for resupply until the finish which was about 220km away. I got some snacks at a gas station and bought a couple of footlongs at Subway. While I chowed down on my sub, I told Kristin about the soul-sucking wind and gravel all the way here. I was scared the next 100km segment to Veteran would have the same disheartening wind.

Don’t free the bovines!

The goose attacked! It must have heard my disparaging comments about Nickelback.

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At about 10pm, I was feeling tired, so I rolled out my bivy for a sleep on the side of the road. I slept about an hour and started packing up. The clear sky was beautiful but that also made it quite cold – about 3°C. I put on some warm gear and started pedaling to Veteran. The sleep monster hit me hard that night. About every 1-1.5 hours I would start

Gravel Across Alberta

Do you see the fatigue in my eyes? nodding off. Whenever this happens, my policy is to stop and take a 10-minute nap. The road was flat and fairly fast but with the naps, I took longer than I hoped to get to Veteran. But I got there eventually!

My sanctuary from the cold, cold wind.

I left Veteran at about sunrise and rode down a nice stretch of pavement. These little bits of pavement were nice reprieves from soft gravel roads.

The illuminated Poppy.

I was cold and hungry, so I searched the small park nearby for some shelter to eat and take a nap. Then out of the darkness a glorious thing appeared! An outhouse…

Just kidding; it was a fully enclosed picnic shelter to protect me from the cold wind. The shelter was located amongst a group of RVs. It was about 5:00am so I did not want to wake anyone up. It felt like I was tiptoeing around a group of sleeping hippos (that’s the closest animal I could think of that resembles an RV) trying not to wake them up.

When I approached the picnic shelter, I slid open the barn door and it emitted a loud fingernail-on-chalkboard squeaking noise. Don’t wake the hippos! Thankfully, none awoke, and I was able to eat my sub and sleep on the picnic table for about half an hour without being disturbed. There was even a plug inside, so I was able to charge my battery pack a bit too.

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Swamp reflecting sunrise.

Thankfully, the headwind died down a bit. I turned off the pavement and was back on gravel. My spirits were high after the sanctuary in the picnic shelter. The wind was even cooperating! It shifted into a fairly strong south wind.

My route was either going North or East, so I either had a tailwind or crosswind. I’ll take it! I stopped in this area to have a nice conversation with a cow. On these long rides, the cows are nice creatures to talk to and break up the boredom. I can’t remember why I stopped or what I was talking to the cow about, but she was very attentive and listened well. I was just about to pack up and ride off when the cow made a coughing noise and a bunch of liquid poured out of her mouth. That must be what chewing cud looks like. I bid her farewell and was on my way. Cont’d

Gravel Across Alberta

And even sandier! I had to walk through this bit.

Gravel for miles and miles.

The elevation profile for this section to the finish in Macklin showed some pretty significant peaks and I wondered what it would be like. I hoped I would not be plowing through fresh gravel and I got my wish. The route started following more less-used roads that are primarily used by farmers and gas or oil service workers. And it was sandy, very sandy. I loved it! It was nice being on these remote roads.

Some sections were thick with sand and had to be walked, and some were a bit overgrown with bushes, but I loved the remoteness and they were fun to ride.

Some sections were a bit overgrown. Beautiful in the Fall!

As I got closer to Macklin, the service roads ended, and I was back on some thick gravel. That didn’t bother me though.

I was almost done! I got to the border of Saskatchewan and wanted to take a picture at the “welcome” sign.

But guess what? There wasn’t one. I guess they only have those on the major roads. The only indication I crossed the border was two signs on either side of a range road.

Sandy terrain. Wonderful!

Getting sandier!

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AB and SK RR signs below.

Gravel Across Alberta The AB sign was blue and started at 10 and the SK sign was green and ended at 3290.

Almost done! I snaked my way through the sleepy town of Macklin and arrived at the Bunnock! A majestic 30-foot-tall bone in the prairies never looked so good. Kristin and Joyce were there and had a cold Coke and container of fruit for me. The Coke tasted extra sweet since I just ran out of all my water. The GRAAB Challenge was complete in 2 days, 7 hours and 1 minute!

Done at 4:38 on Sunday, Sept 26th, 2021.

Bunnock selfie.

Trivia Answers: A - Trivia Question 1 - St Paul AB A - Trivia Question 2 - Vulcan AB

Victory at the Bunnock!

See Alberta Through the Eyes of a Tourist Participate in Fun Challenges Win Amazing Prizes See Incredible Sights Support Thousands of small Alberta Businesses Support over 400 Rural Alberta Communities

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Glamping - NW AB Route 10 NW Alberta Route 10 Rumble Alberta

by Carla Lehman Carla Lehman Photography www.carlalehmanphoto.ca carla@carlalehmanphoto.ca Our travels from Slave Lake to La Crete took us on a scenic drive through the season’s changing colours.

We witnessed harvest in progress, grooved to music, and stopped for quick little peeks here and there.

A couple of things to note are that there is no cell service or data for much of the drive, and there are no gas stations between Red Earth and Fort Vermillion, ensure your tank is topped up.

Cabin in the Woods is a charming bed and breakfast hosted by the even more charming Lena.

We spent the night in the Tiny Cabin. It’s charm is the perfect blend between the antiques and white washed walls.

Walking in, one finds themselves in awe of the design and décor, all created by Lena. We arrived to a home baked banana bread and fresh fruit, as well as a continental breakfast all ready for us the next morning.

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Glamping - NW AB Route 10

Exploring La Crete, we enjoyed a pizza at The Pizza Place.

The girls slept in very cozy bunks while I had the massive master bed to myself, so comfy and roomy.

When we woke up, the three of us bundled up in the supplied throw blankets for tea and breakfast, incredibly peaceful.

This is my first time staying at a B&B, and Lena has set the bar high, between her grace and service, the incredible cabin and the food, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay and will be back.

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It’s a busy place and it’s easy to see why, the pizza is excellent. We also stopped at The Espresso House, which offers Starbucks, The Homestyle Bakery for long johns and butter horns, then popped into The Country Grill, which was packed. If you’re looking for good down home Mennonite cooking, this is the place.

La Crete is a Mennonite community, the residents friendly and welcoming. Cont’d

Glamping - NW AB Route 10

Their Jubilee Park is beautiful with a gazebo, walking paths, skate park and pond with fountain. It’s a place to spend a peaceful afternoon with a good book and a coffee from The Espresso House.

search, as it’s breathtaking. Never before have I been high enough to actually see the plots of land all laid out below me, it’s an incredible sight, and one feels that they are alone at the top of the world.

We took part in local geocaches at The Rapids, Buffalo Head Lookout and the La Crete Museum, it’s a ton of fun to use a geocache app and see just how close you are to your bounty.

From LaCrete, we toured Fort Vermillion were we met Steven, docent of the museum. He’s set up a pretty cool escape room in the Heritage House – it has a 30% escape rate, it’s a toughy!

We also did a local geocache, which was surprisingly tough to find as it’s located in plain sight so it tricks the mind.

Buffalo Head Lookout (above) is a little tricky to find and does require an off-road vehicle, but it is well worth the

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We then stopped at the Peace River Bridge for a walk along the river and enjoyed the view from below the bridge – well worth a stop and a picnic!

Glamping - NW AB Route 10

We arrived in High Level just in time for the area’s Get To Know You Night, a showcase of local businesses, artisans and services.

As strangers in town, we felt welcomed and enjoyed watching the locals reconnect, check out the offerings, and watching the Fire Department Demonstrations.

Mirage Taste House & Ultra Lounge at the High River Best

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Western Plus has, without a doubt, the very best Tuna Poke dish there is to be had. As a connoisseur of all things Tuna Poke, my favourite thing on any menu, this truly is the yummiest I’ve tasted.

Not only that, the service was top notch, fast, efficient and friendly.

The hotel itself is lovely, open and spacious, our suite was clean and inviting with plenty of room for three weary travelers.

The aquatic centre is massive and a vacation in itself for travelling families. Even with covid restrictions, the hotel ensures that guests have a safely prepared, filling breakfast to get them started on their day.

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Glamping - NW AB Route 10

In need of some pampering and girl time, we visited High Level Nails, a lovely spa focused on relaxation and service. Settling into the massage chairs, we enjoyed pedicures with leg and foot massages, skin treatments, and of course, gorgeous colour! Our technicians went over and above to ensure that we had perfect toes, and in my case of smudging my toe, redoing it completely for me.

Very happy with the level of service and professionalism we received.

The Mackenzie Frontier visitor centre is exactly what one would picture with the totems in front welcoming visitors, giant chairs that beg for a selfie, and geocache treasures to be explored. Be sure to stop in here for a visit and a picture (or three). Cont’d

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Glamping - NW AB Route 10 We visited Footner Lake and Walking Trails, truly beautiful and could have spent the day there as there are so many trails to explore, and beautiful areas set up overlooking the lake which beckon one to spend an hour or two relaxing and watching the water.

the few places in Alberta to actually see bison in the wild.

We were also warned, that the sign posted that warns drivers about the “bump” needs to be heeded, because it is a huge bump. Even though we slowed down, it was still shocking to go over. Slow down and take your time, heed the warning signs.

At Hutch Lake The girls and I hit the road for the drive to Zama City, which would prove to be one of our major highlights of the trip.

Following careful directions from our tour guide, Lisa Wardley, we made our way to Zama City, stopping to visit Hutch Lake. The campground is truly a hidden gem, it’s immaculately cared for, clean and welcoming. There are nets for beach volleyball, trails and paths, and a dock to sit on and enjoy the antics of the birds.

Some things to note on the way to Zama, is that one doesn’t want to travel there in the dark. This is for your

safety, but also the for the safety of the wild bison herd.

Seeing the herd was an absolute thrill for us, as it’s one of

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The thrill of seeing wild bison overtook us just outside of town. We saw the bison just off the road, and were able to pull over, watch, and photograph them from a respectful distance. It’s indescribable, the feeling of witnessing these powerful creatures so close.

They were aware of us, and we ensured that we maintained that distance for their comfort.

Continuing along into town, we found a couple of bachelors, who make the townsite their home. As part of the Rumble Alberta tour challenges, the girls took selfies (again, safely) with the two well natured bachelors who didn’t seem bothered by our presence at all.

We again witnessed something special, a testament to this tiny, close knit community as we were pulled over.

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Glamping - NW AB Route 10

A gentleman stopped near us, got out of his truck and came over to ensure that we weren’t having any car trouble and were safe and sound.

Such is the kindness of small town Alberta.

In Zama, we were treated to glamping Heaven, in the most incredible rustic themed cabins.

By rustic, I don’t mean missing amenities, because the cabins are completely outfitted with everything one might need, including fridge, microwave, coffee and BBQs on the front deck, along with sweet little patio tables that invite you to sit there to watch the sun go down, and head back out to watch the sun come up.

The cabins have beds with patchwork quilts, comfy pillows, heaters to stave off the chill – and to my girl’s delight, fishing rod kits with tackle and line.

Mackenzie Frontier Tourism Association even stocked the cabin for us for a steak dinner.

The incredible kindness and generosity that this community showed us has me so excited to go back, and I plan to visit again next summer to enjoy the wildlife and birds, the forest, and the peace.

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Glamping - NW AB Route 10

Callen caught a fish!

There is a fishing pond at the campground, so the girls decided to try out their luck. They had no luck until a very kind and well experienced fisherman happened to be there, and he took the time to show them how to fly cast. The fish were suddenly begging to jump on the rods. It was so much fun, watching the girls learn, watching a kind stranger teach, making connections with complete strangers and enjoying some time together. He even gave them each a hand tied fly to take with them, a tangible reminder of a perfect memory made.

We also did some geocaching in the area, found, and left some treasures. We also discovered the Free Little Library, left books, and took books – such a fun way to share in the love of reading.

If they’ll let me, I might even join their library. It’s housed in a fantastic facility and the modern layout also reflects the northern community’s roots and ideals. The library has a great area for children that is bright and colourful, fun and interactive.

It also has a section set up for men to visit, cleverly designed and visually appealing. A highlight though is the massage chair. So much thought has gone into designing the Zama City Library, it rivals facilities in much larger communities.

Callen and I woke up at 2:00 AM to photograph the aurora.

While we couldn’t see it with the naked eye, the camera did, and we got some great exposures.

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We visited The Patch, found some treasures, including a laser cut wooden bison kits that the girls stayed up painting and assembling.

It’s the place to stop in town for a visit, some groceries and to see and purchase local art and souvenirs.

We then enjoyed touring the town and completing the rest of the Rumble Alberta and History Check App challenges, getting to know the area just a little better.

We were sad to leave Zama City, having fallen in love with the forest, the bison, and of course the friendly folks who made our visit perfect.

As we left the community the girls and I were treated to another sighting of the bison, it felt like the perfect way to say not goodbye, but see you again soon. CL

Runaway Rudolph 26 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS JAN 6 - 31, 2022

R u m b l e A l b e r t a . c o m / R u d o l p h

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