Photography by Gail Doy.........................Pages 28

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

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.

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.

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. 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

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

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. 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.

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. 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).

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.

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

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! Quality and attention to detail are the first things that come to mind when you walk into Eau Claire Distillery.

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.

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).

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.

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. 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.

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

after a long day of cruising. 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.

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.