Well winter is settling in Saskatchewan, Canada and back at our cabin, it’s time to refresh the web site with a hidden gem we discovered this summer. Besides wild fires almost every where this summer we managed to log over 10,000 kms again and most of it smoke free and decent weather. I will start with a little hidden gem in Lloydminster, Alberta, just across the Saskatchewan border.
Well sometimes our travel plans get changed due to mechanical issues but during that delay I discovered a hidden gem.
Our planned travel to Elk Island National Park in Alberta, Canada was disrupted by one of a thousand sensors on these new vehicles and needed to be replaced. If I put the transmission in park, it would not start and it locked in park. Thanks to YouTube, I discovered a way to get it into neutral where it would start. The Ford dealership in Lloydminster confirmed the problem was a neutral lock in the transmission but did not have the part in stock. They could have it the next day and to be at the dealership at 7 am. Well three hours in it was still not in the shop, my time is not worth anything it appears as it was near noon before they got it in. Many hours later I was once again on the road, now two days late. It’s not just that dealership I have experienced this, at several others as well, the upside having an extra day to kill I discovered what I consider a hidden gem in Lloydminster.
Bud Miller All Season Park, definitely worth a visit, I have been in Lloydminster many times, driven through many times and never knew this park existed. The park covers 200 acres of playground for residents and visitors to enjoy at no charge. Set in a well treed rolling hilly country it features 6.3 kms of paved and 6.9 kms of gravel hiking and biking trails all extremely well maintained as is everything else in the park. I was totally impressed as there was no litter and all facilities were clean and top notch, possibly because there were trash receptacles everywhere, something not all parks provide.
The park is located at 2902 59th Ave and features as mentioned hiking and bicycle trails, community gardens, flower gardens, picnic areas, children’s playgrounds for every age group, sports facilities and water spray park. Fishing, tennis, beach volleyball, lawn bowling, ball diamonds and miniature golf are just a few of the activities offered. There is an aquatic complex that offers a wave pool, water slide, whirlpool, steam room, sauna and fitness room.
As the sign says not to disappoint, winter activities include 7.5 kms of groomed cross country ski trails, tobogganing and ice skating on the pond.
While I spent the day there the park was well used by the residents and in speaking to several, they all said it’s one of the city’s most welcome additions. What I noticed is how well the users of the park respected its amenities by keeping it clean. This park would put most provincial parks to shame not only in how well-groomed and clean it is but in the massive activities it offers… no Lloydminster is not just one of those dirty oil industrial cities in Alberta. One just has to take the time to search out its many hidden gems. Just a reminder as we travel there is beauty everywhere, and it should not take a truck failure to make me slow down and enjoy the many beautiful smaller communities along the road. I’m very happy to have been able to share some of the beauty of this park.
As provincial parks and national parks turn more to only online reservations, we have been searching out campgrounds in the smaller communities along the way. We have been very pleased with the community run campgrounds, usually less expensive, quiet, no reservations required. It also offers one a chance to check out their community shops and attractions. Some of these smaller communities and villages have some of the best restaurant food and bakeries anywhere, home cooked. Too often we let out destination get in the way of enjoying the journey as I found out in Lloydminster. It’s now a stop- over for us.
Well, we made it to Elk Island National Park in Alberta, then did something not planned, headed south, way south. Another destination, but we enjoyed the journey this time as well, those I will save for another post in the near future.
To all, safe travels out there wherever those may take you, enjoy each day as we are not assured more along the way. “It’s in our nature to explore, to reach out into the unknown. The only true failure is not to explore”. Earnest Shackleford.
Hope to see you all down the road, join us this winter as we record some of our interesting travel locations.
Gerry & Charlotte, practicing Nomads