You've got the whole day. The sun's shining. It's a perfect opportunity to get out and get active. There's so much to do within a short drive of the city. Not a super-jock? No problem. Looking for a physical challenge? Gotcha' covered. Want to just get some fresh air and recharge the batteries? Check. So pack a snack, leave the Blackberry at home and get out of the city.
Voyage Along the River
Dip your paddle into the gently flowing waters of the glacier-fed North Saskatchewan River and glide – just like fur-traders and explorers did before the city of Edmonton existed. The North Saskatchewan is a nearly 1,300-kilometre stretch of river from B.C. to Saskatchewan that would take the entire summer to navigate. The portion from Devon to Edmonton is an easy day trip for the urban adventurer.
"Young families, couples, older folks, it's a great day out in the sun," says Mike Kuhnert, owner of Edmonton Canoe. Hop in a shuttle for the trip to Devon, where you will be geared up, given paddles, life jackets and a canoe or kayak to use at your own pace as you make your way back to the city.
"People take lunch, stop at an island or anywhere along the way. You're on your own. Most people like that they don't have to paddle in a group," says Kuhnert, although his company does offer guided group tours as well. "It's a really nice, relaxing trip. There's lots to see: beaver, deer, ducks and geese. Then when you come to the city, you'll get a new perspective of Edmonton." It takes most people between five and six hours to reach Emily Murphy Park, but Kuhnert says people who linger along the way might finish in eight hours.
Kids of all ages enjoy the trip, and many people sit their dogs in the middle of the boat.
Cost: $90 for two people.
From Edmonton: Shuttle departs from Emily Murphy Park in Edmonton and heads an hour southwest to Devon.
Equipment needed: Sun protection, lunch, drinking water, waterproof shoes, weather-appropriate clothing; life jackets are supplied.
Fitness level: Any level. Your arms might get tired if this is a new activity, but no experience or specific level of fitness is required.
Contact: Call 780-470-5352, or visit Edmonton Canoe
Saddle Up and Giddy Up
The Athabasca Landing is an historic 170-kilometre stretch of horse-trail that was travelled as early as 1875 by traders with the Hudson's Bay Company. Today, horse-tours are offered from the start of the Athabasca Landing in Gibbons into the Sturgeon River Valley and along the southern part of that legendary route.
"It's a beautiful trail, a great experience," says Wendy Imai, head wrangler at Longriders Horseback Riding. "You go through a pine forest, then right by the river with birch, aspen and poplar trees. The wildlife is amazing, especially if you go in the evening. You can see deer, fox, badger, beaver, great blue heron, even moose." The trail also passes a 100-year-old, handmade, trestle-style railroad bridge.
Horseback riding is a great activity for any fitness level – "beginner to advanced, even people who have never ridden a horse," says Imai. "It's a great ab workout, great for the butt and legs. I get so toned after a summer of riding." The rhythm of the horse is so relaxing, Imai says you may not even notice the exercise quality of the trip until the ride is over. That's why she suggests a hot bath and a good stretch after a day on the trails.
Cost: $30 for 1 hour; $40 for 1.5 hours; $50 for 2 hours.
From Edmonton: 20 minutes from northeast city limits.
Equipment needed: Long pants, sturdy shoes, sun protection and an approved safety helmet.
Fitness level: Any level. Horseback riding is also therapeutic for people with certain disabilities or without the use of their legs, says Imai.
Contact: Call 780-717-3255; or visit www.albertahorses.com
Get in Gear
There's plenty of fantastic mountain biking in the river valley within the city limits, but for a true wilderness experience, you have to get out of Dodge. The Cooking Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, just south of Elk Island Provincial Park offers beautiful rolling terrain. It's the perfect place for a family bike ride away from the crowds.
"It's not extreme," says Al Aronyk, owner of Revolution Cycle and lifelong mountain biker. "It's very pretty. Moderate, constant, rolling terrain and wide trails, groomed for skiing in the winter. It's a real wilderness experience and it's so under-used." In fact, chances are, you'll see more elk, deer and other wildlife than other park users. There are approximately 170 kilometres of trails in the Blackfoot – half are designated equestrian trails; the other half are for bikers and hikers.
"It's such a huge area. Loops of trails spin off one another," says Aronyk. However, with maps at every trail intersection, you'll only get lost if you want to.
Try the Siksika Trail, a long, rolling ride that will give you a workout without knocking you out. Aronyk also recommends bringing a picnic. "There are all these neat little backcountry shelters," he says. "You can ride in, have a lunch, bring picnic stuff, maybe make a campfire."
Cost: Free.
From Edmonton: 45 minutes from city centre.
Equipment needed: Full suspension bike and repair kit, helmet, water, appropriate clothing.
Fitness level: Beginner to intermediate mountain biker.
Contact: Call 780-922-4676 for trail conditions; or visit www.dotheblackfoot.ca
Adventures in Birdwatching
Ellis Bird Farm is one of the noisiest yet peaceful places in Alberta. The chirping, warbling and singing of thousands of birds serenades visitors to this historic 640-acre sanctuary near Lacombe.
A four-kilometre trail network, including an extensive wheelchair path, winds through forests, fields, butterfly gardens, orchards and alongside ponds. Myrna Pearman, biologist and site services manager for the non-profit farm, says whether you're walking along the pathways or simply sitting on a bench observing the avian comings and goings and enjoying the fresh air, birdwatching is both relaxing and invigorating – a healthy way to reduce stress.
"I love the mountain bluebirds," says Pearman. "They are so beautiful and their song is gentle and soothing. I love all native birds, though, and am especially thrilled when I am able to watch boreal chickadees."
According to Pearman, birdwatching is the fastest growing hobby in North America, next to gardening. "I believe that it is becoming especially popular among the boomer generation because it is an interesting, intellectually stimulating and healthy way to enjoy the outdoors," she says. "I think it balances you. Re-energizes you. It puts you back in touch with the natural world from which we have become estranged."
Sit back with some fresh pie made from locally grown saskatoons and rhubarb from the garden of the historic Ellis Bird Farm Tea House, watch the birds and feel your tension slip away.
Cost: Free, but welcomes donations.
From Edmonton: 1 hour and 15 minutes from south city limits.
Equipment needed: Binoculars, good shoes, sun protection.
Fitness level: Any level.
Contact: Call 403-885-4477; or visit www.ellisbirdfarm.ab.ca
Set Sail
There's nothing like the sound of wind whipping the sails and the water slapping against the side of the boat. It's not a sound we normally equate with summer around here, but it's an addictive sound to boaters and a great way to connect with the elements of wind and water.
Edmonton has been called the "Sailing Capital of the Prairies." OK, the high seas are a long highway away but, during the summer, many Albertans relieve their itch to sail on Lac St. Anne, a typical prairie lake with murky water below, a brilliant blue sky above and fairly constant winds.
Go Sailing offers sailing lessons and small sailboat rentals for people looking for a new adventure who want to hone their skills or just want to be outside in the fresh air, powered by nothing but the breeze. At Go Sailing, participants learn safety skills, the parts of a sailboat and their function and basic sailing theory. Within 20 minutes, even someone who has never sailed before can be at the helm of a boat with an instructor on board. Experienced sailors can also rent or charter a sailboat for an afternoon of sailing around this beautiul, expansive lake.
Cost: Half-day sailing lesson: $95/couple on weekdays (Monday to Thursday), $125/couple on weekends.
From Edmonton: 40 minutes from west city limits.
Equipment needed: Clothing depends on which boat you will be taking out, so call for details, but don't forget a towel, bottled water, white-soled shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, snack and a change of clothes.
Fitness level: Basic; no special skills required.
Contact: Call 780-499-4295; or visit www.gosailing.info
Hike As You Like
Elk Island National Park is a treasure for outdoor enthusiasts. This aspen parkland is home to herds of free-roaming bison, moose, deer, elk and more than 250 species of birds. Lace up some sturdy walking shoes and don't forget your camera.
Runners or more energetic hikers like the 18.6-kilometre Wood Bison Trail. It takes about five to six hours to hike this trail, if you don't count all the stops you'll make to watch wildlife. The Shoreline is a six-kilometre paved trail around Astotin Lake – perfect for pushing a stroller or in-line skating. Check out the Canada geese, American white pelicans and red-necked grebes. One of the best trails to take kids on is the Amisk Wuche Trail. It's only 2.5 kilometres long and winds across a series of floating boardwalks over small lakes and beaver ponds.
Gary Duguay, avid hiker and visitor counsellor for Edmonton Tourism, says Elk Island's terrain is "a little different than what you'll find in Edmonton – knob and kettle, rolling hills with pockets of water."
Cost: $7.80/adult for a National Parks day pass.
From Edmonton: 45 minutes from city centre.
Equipment needed: Good footwear, food and water, appropriate clothing for any weather.
Fitness level: Depends how far and fast you want to go.
Contact: Call 780-922-5790; or visit www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/elkisland
The Wheel Experience
Maybe you love to cycle but don't like to be on the road alone. Maybe you dislike riding in city traffic, but don't know a good route on rural roads. Maybe you like the idea of a group meal at the end of a ride with people who talk about their bikes more than their jobs. Whatever the reason, the Edmonton Bicycle & Touring Club can hook you up.
Day trips around Edmonton are one of the EBTC's greatest draws. Every weekend, from when the snow melts until it flies again, keen cyclists get together for group rides that vary in intensity, route and purpose. Club president Eileen Hall says the EBTC motivates people and provides a great social network of active people who just love to be outdoors.
"It's a great atmosphere that challenges experienced riders and supports beginners," says Hall. The club arranges multi-day trips around Alberta and has weekday evening rides, but the most popular events are the weekend day trips. Some day trips planned for this summer include a ride out to the St. Albert Farmers' Market (50 kilometres) and a trip along the rolling rural hills surrounding Pigeon Lake (60 kilometres). "It's such a good way to meet people with different skills and backgrounds. The cycling brings them together."
Many rides are van-supported, meaning a van follows the group, carrying tools for emergency repairs, water and snacks, and can pick up anyone who needs a ride.
Cost: Annual EBTC membership fee: $30/person, $40/family of two. Day rides and evening rides are free for members.
From Edmonton: Varies.
Equipment needed: Bike (mountain or road), helmet, appropriate clothing, water.
Fitness level: Basic riding skills are necessary; rides vary from easy to challenging.
Contact: Call 780-424-2453; or visit www.bikeclub.ca
Safe Summer Fun
Summer is all about freedom. Holidays, sunshine, long days and open spaces.
But too often, summer's freedom means reckless behaviour, taking unsafe risks, ignoring safety rules and leaving protective gear sitting on a lawn chair. That's why the summer months are known as "trauma season" by health professionals.
Kathy Holgate, coordinator of Kidsafe Connection says there is a "dramatic increase in the number of serious injuries and major trauma incidents in the summer." Kidsafe Connection is a pediatric injury prevention program located at the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton that works to ensure the safety of children aged 0-17.
"More children die annually from preventable injuries than from all childhood diseases combined," says Holgate. "It's a huge concern. It's the leading cause of death. We want children and families to be active. We don't want to stop the kids from doing these activities. It isn't about taking the fun out of summer. We want people to know how they can reduce and manage their risks. "
Lacey Hoyland, injury prevention coordinator with Capital Health, agrees. She recognizes that during the summer, people are out of their usual routine, maybe away from home where rules can slacken. "Open fire is more common, access to water is more common, campgrounds have pools. Kids ride their bikes all over the place. Sometimes you're on vacation, you don't stay as vigilant. You tend to give more freedom. The cousins come, everyone stays up late, things happen that shouldn't." Hoyland says that safety measures should be practised at all times.
Here are a few of Hoyland and Holgate's suggestions for a safer summer:
ATVs: Not recommended at all for children under 16. ATV incidents are a leading cause of major trauma for children in Alberta. These machines are designed to be handled only by adults with physical and mental maturity, judgment and cognitive skills.
Swimming: Water wings are not life-savers. They are not designed to hold the head above water, like a life jacket or PFD. Supervision is the key to safe swimming. Often, problems can occur when there's a large group of people, and everyone thinks someone else is watching the kids. Brave young swimmers need even closer supervision than timid ones.
Biking: Biking is also a leading cause of major trauma injuries in children under 18. Holgate says to make sure a helmet is worn at all times. It must fit properly without riding back on the head exposing the forehead and buckle snugly under the chin with the straps meeting in a Y under the ears.
Trampolines: Not recommended in home or recreational settings. There are no protective measures that can effectively be taken to reduce trampoline injuries, says Holgate. Research is not conclusive as to whether trampolines with nets as walls are safer than trampolines without nets.
Skateboarding/In-line skating: Although skaters suffer plenty of nasty scrapes and broken bones, skateboarding and in-line skating are not usually a cause of major trauma, says Holgate. Be sure to wear a helmet plus knee pads, elbow pads and wrist guards, and always skate on a flat surface, free from water, sand or debris.
Boating: Wear a life jacket. Don't drink alcohol. Don't overload the boat. Check the forecast before you go out. Whether you're in a canoe, kayak, sailboat or motorboat, take a course from an expert so you know what you're doing.
Remember, you can't just "talk" about safety. Put your safety advice into practice yourself. You're more likely to have an injury-free summer, and your children are much more likely
to follow.
Your Health Magazine - Summer 2008 Edition
Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)
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