White Butte Trails

I was supposed to be reading but I really wanted to get outside and enjoy the sunny fall day we had last weekend so I decided to find out where Regina is hiding its trails. Just east of town I found the White Butte Trails that in the winter become x-country ski trails. Other than some wet areas that required a bit of dodging into the trees to avoid wet feet it was a nice walk.

Ferryboat on Wascana

Little did I know that there are ferryboat tours on Wascana Lake and more so that I would actually go on one. There are in fact 2 of these small boats that are used to transport people back and forth to an island that you can rent for weddings or other events. When they aren't shuttling people across and its a nice enough day they will take willing people for a tour and educate them about the lake. Lauren and I decided to go on one. This is Don, our guide and captain of Wasca 1.


This is a view of the city skyline opposite from the legislature. It is the best angle to view the skyline in the city but you need to either be on the water or in the legislature.


Some more views from the lake including the marina, a funky park area with trails that don't really go anywhere and one of the waterfalls. You can walk under this one which is nice on a hot day because you get the mist that cools you off. The last picture is of a benches and lights set that were gifted by someone important at some point in history to each of the provincial capitals. Apparently if you look hard enough you will find this exact set in each Canadian capital city somewhere.


After the tour we did some more exploring until we decided hanging out in the backyard isn't such a bad way to spend a nice summer day either.

The Qu'Appelle Valley

After a farmers market visit while Pei Ju was still with us we went for a drive into the Qu'Appelle Valley which is north of the city about half and hour away close to Lumsden to explore some of the farms out there and see what we could find. We started at the Corn Maiden Market and continued on down the road.


Farther down the road we came across another farm the we could walk around which was nice. They had among other vegetables a bunch of Saskatoon berry trees. We only taste tested a couple.

Cypress Hills

I realized that I hadn't updated my adventures lately so thought I'd let you in on what I found on my way home from a visit in Alberta. Would you believe that Saskatchewan has a winery? It's the Cypress Hills Winery and it's a bit off the main highway but a nice detour.

They have complimentary wine tastings so I thought I'd have a bite to eat. It being a Friday they only had their cheese plates available but it was quite filling. I left with a full belly, a bottle of black currant and honey wine and a quick walk around the vineyards.


Further down the highway, and I use that term loosely was the West Block of Cypress Hills. I decided to check it out since I was in the area already. It was a narrow road with a little section that made me reminisce of island driving minus the steep cliff drops. After coming to the end of the road at Fort Walsh I continued back and down the path less traveled because I saw a sign for the conglomerate cliffs. These cows met me at another fork in the road all cozied up together like ambassadors.


Finally after some minor 4x4ing I found the cliffs. While they offered a great view and some quiet time there was no climbing to be found. I tried. There are however some great opportunities to explore so I'm sure I'll be back.

Regina Farmers Market

Every Wednesday and Saturday the Regina Farmers Market takes over a downtown park lining up along 2 streets and within a courtyard. Last Saturday was especially appealing because it was the 7th annual selling of homemade Saskatoon Berry pies with all proceeds going to the Regina Home Economics for Living Project. Seemed to me as good a reason as any to eat pie!

Regina's Victoria Park

Every once in awhile I get a craving for a hot dog. I don't eat them often and so don't want to buy a whole package. Turns out that Regina has a hot dog stand situated beside the city's downtown park.


This guy has toppings for hot dogs I hadn't even thought of putting on a hot dog. For $5 you get a damn good tasting footlong so I think it was a good deal.


The park itself is quite well used and on this particular day there were people eating lunch on benches and sitting on the grass, doing Tai Chi, playing Frisbee and watching their kids play in the playground.




In the center of the park is the city's cenotaph and the remains of a tree with huge metal ants climbing up its trunk. They symbolize how the work of many ants is required to accomplish something much like the work of many people to build the city of Regina.

13th Avenue Coffeehouse

This is one of the first places I found when I drove up to check out Regina but it was closed. I made it back during my orientation week and found it to be a pretty great place for a healthy lunch. I've been back enjoying the dishes and atmosphere each time.

They serve a fairly large menu of vegetarian and vegan style food that I think is reasonably priced.

They also host a large outside patio which is a nice place to go when it's warm outside.

The 13th Avenue Coffeehouse is in the Cathedral Village across 13th Avenue from the big cathedral. There are a lot of shops including Bernard Callebaut, that are fun to walk around.

Canada Day in Regina

Canada Day started and ended with a BANG... literally! My roommate Kristen and I walked to the lake at noon to watch the 21 gun salute the Royal Canadian Artillery had set up on the edge of the lake outside the legislature. It was loud and super hot and people were everywhere!


My other roommate Karen and group had planned to head to the main stage for some musical entertainment in the afternoon so I hurried to get the things I had to get done finished and met them at the beer gardens in front of the main stage. They said to look for the big beer can - after that it was easy. We enjoyed the hot hot weather and drank beer, Canadian of course!


While walking around in the morning Kristen and I had noticed a row of tables with plywood and tools set up along the lake edge. Having no idea what it was for I didn't think of it again until I noticed some broken boats along the side of the lake and one apparently successful designer still paddling about in his creation. Since then I learned that it was the 6th Annual Plywood Cup whereby teams build a boat and hope it floats.


Good home cooked food and great company ended off a pretty darn good day already I was invited to dinner and some firework watching with new friends. I cannot believe how many people congregated to the lawns of the park but was not surprised in the least to learn they shut down a section of Albert Street for the event. Good thing I live within walking distance!