Cycling in North Dakota

It's been awhile since I've updated the blog. Time flies when you are having fun and no internet hook-up at home to blog. These pictures are from the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota which is a few hours away from Regina. The "Teddy Tour" was Easter weekend 2011 with the Wascana Freewheelers and I'll admit the terrain had a lot more hills than I'd expected. It also had amazing views that unfortunately the camera doesn't quite capture.





There were many many bison and at times we had to avoid their paddies. They were everywhere. Including on the road which posed a bit of a problem because we were on bikes and so had to wait and wait and wait some more until they walked far enough away that we could pass.

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

In February, the coldest, darkest, most dreariest part of winter we decided to check out Moose Jaw. Moose Jaw is a city about an hour away west of Regina with a well known spa, art gallery and underground tunnels to be explored. We stayed at the Mineral Springs Hotel where the spa is located and found ourselves within walking distance of pretty much everything we wanted to see. If making another trip is is good to know that nothing is open Sunday mornings. This is the spa waiting room and a picture of the natural hot springs that are incorporated into the hotel. In the distance you can see the doorway leading to the outside. We sat in the pool at night with the snow falling.



The Yvette Moore Gallery is a truly great find for local arts and great food. Everything from pottery to pictures and the quaintest women's bathroom sitting area ever is here.





The Moose Jaw Tunnels are actual tunnels that were used for living and working way back when. Today they provide entertaining dramatic tours for the public. We saw the “The Passage to Fortune” which is a humbling expose of what Chinese immigrants experienced when they came to Moose Jaw. There is also a tour called "The Chicago Connection" featuring the story about bootlegger Al Capone.

White Butte Ski Trails

I know that I posted about these trails in the summer when I was out exploring looking for unpaved trails. Now that it's winter, almost the end of winter actually (I haven't been updating this blog very often and it's now March) the trails have been in full swing as cross country ski trails. Not a far drive from Regina, 10-15 minutes, they are maintained by volunteers of the Regina Ski Club and used by many, many people.





An added benefit to being a member of the ski club and supporting the trail maintenance is that you can also take part in the many ski trips they do throughout the winter. I was doing enough away trips on my own that I wasn't able to partake in them but there's always next year.

Historic Reesor Ranch

I really wanted to go horseback riding and also to get away from the city into the hills. The Historic Reesor Ranch in the Cypress Hills was the best decision I could have made. I got to stay in the 100+ year old house that is actually 2 houses built together with the family that still ranches there today. There is so much history and although its completely maintained I don't think too much has changed which was really neat.

It was very welcoming and inclusive and I would suggest it for anyone wanting to even if only briefly experience the reality of ranch life. Scott and Theresa were excellent hosts and made sure I was well fed and best of all made sure that I got exactly what I wanted to out of the weekend I spent there. Never could I have guessed that I would be rounding up cows and moving them to different pastures but I'm so glad to have done it!

I hope to make it again this winter to explore the area with my cross-country skiis and definitely next August for round-up and branding week which includes the delicacies called prairie oysters! Theresa promised me that they are good...

Pumpkin Hollow

Saskatchewan grows corn which according to me means its probably going to have some good corn mazes (maizes). A friend and I went out last weekend to Pumpkin Hollow with her little boy to check it out and see what it was all about. They make great popcorn balls, have a sandbox full of corn, a cow train, a pile of hay to climb up in, a mini petting zoo, pony and wagon rides, a corn gun and a corn maze that was a little bit hard to get out of!

Fall in Regina

This autumn has been sunny and warm but there is that chill in the air that lets us know without a doubt that summer is gone. The leaves have changed and not many are left on the trees anymore. I ventured out to walk around one afternoon a couple weeks ago and took some pictures not far from my house.

Octoberfest

Dancing, beer drinking, sauerkraut eating contest, more dancing, a couple of bands and more beer drinking. Really what more can a person say about Octoberfest? This is apparently the first year that the Regina German Club held its Octoberfest. Considering how many people showed up and how much fun was had I'd be surprised if it didn't become an annual thing!

Regina Beach Trails

I finally made it out to the Regina Beach area with my bike thanks to the Wascana Wheelers and more specifically Noreen, our trip guide. What a great area to go riding. We went out for a good 3 hours or so before going to the local fowl dinner (more on that next time). I was pleasantly surprised to find some nice single track and hills and wishing that I had real mountain bike tires on my bike. The more technical area lies to the west of Regina Beach itself while the main trail lies to the east. There is still plenty to be explored next time as we stayed to the more tame trails. I'm definitely looking forward to that!