North-East of Edmonton
August 2007
August 2007
After a few days in Calgary on business, I arrived back in Edmonton on Saturday to a very wet and rainy day. Awaking Sunday morning, the skies had cleared (although the weather reports were calling for rain later in the day); and I decided to just head out and see where I ended up.
I found myself heading east on the Yellowhead (Hwy 16), and soon decided that I would take a ride through Elk River National Park. The park is only about 30 miles east of Edmonton. The park is intended to protect the wilderness of the aspen parkland, and is quite beautiful with several hills, lakes, and marshland throughout. The park is also home to both plains and wood bison, moose, elk, deer, coyotes, beaver, and over 250 species of birds.
I've been through the park before, and knew that there was a short loop called the bison loop where typically you can view bison herds up close. At first, the loop (although scenic) didn't yield much in the way of bison viewing, but as I continued I came across a meadow area where several bison were lounging around.
Leaving the park, I rode through some of the Alberta prairie land. I stopped in Boyle for lunch at Hooters - not the US chain restaurant, but a small family diner where it seemed as though everybody in the place knew each other. They served a good bacon cheeseburger and fries!
After lunch, I meandered around the countryside, beore ending up back in Boyle for gas on the way home. The clouds were starting to look ominous, so I pt my rain pants on just as the heavens let loose with a pretty good downpour mixed with some hail. I went next door to the Burger Bar to eat dinner and wait out the deluge. After eating, the rain had stopped and I left for my apartment in Edmonton, experiencing just a few small showers on the way back. I ended up riding about 350 enjoyable miles for the day.
I found myself heading east on the Yellowhead (Hwy 16), and soon decided that I would take a ride through Elk River National Park. The park is only about 30 miles east of Edmonton. The park is intended to protect the wilderness of the aspen parkland, and is quite beautiful with several hills, lakes, and marshland throughout. The park is also home to both plains and wood bison, moose, elk, deer, coyotes, beaver, and over 250 species of birds.
I've been through the park before, and knew that there was a short loop called the bison loop where typically you can view bison herds up close. At first, the loop (although scenic) didn't yield much in the way of bison viewing, but as I continued I came across a meadow area where several bison were lounging around.
Leaving the park, I rode through some of the Alberta prairie land. I stopped in Boyle for lunch at Hooters - not the US chain restaurant, but a small family diner where it seemed as though everybody in the place knew each other. They served a good bacon cheeseburger and fries!
After lunch, I meandered around the countryside, beore ending up back in Boyle for gas on the way home. The clouds were starting to look ominous, so I pt my rain pants on just as the heavens let loose with a pretty good downpour mixed with some hail. I went next door to the Burger Bar to eat dinner and wait out the deluge. After eating, the rain had stopped and I left for my apartment in Edmonton, experiencing just a few small showers on the way back. I ended up riding about 350 enjoyable miles for the day.
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