Rural Alberta, Edmonton

If you enjoy fishing at all then theres lots of options open for you. My favorite place to go is East Pit Lake. Its about 70km west of the downtown core. It a reclaimed mining pit thats been transformed into a long, narrow lake. Its been stocked with rainbow trout which seem to be doing fine in the water. I like it here because you always catch something and most of the time your are alone. Just remember to wake up early for the best fishing.....

To get here head west on highway 16 and take the turn off to Wabamun. Once on top of the overpass, at the intersection turn north (right) and look for the gate on your left hand side.

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Just southwest of the city's boundary is the Edmonton corn maze. Each year the pattern of the maze takes on a different theme...last year the maze was patterned after the Edmonton Oilers. The maze is divided into two sections, each with 8 numbered marker posts that you must negotiate during your attempt. Each section took me nearly an hour to find my way through.

The location: On Garden Valley Road, west of 199 Street.

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When my relatives visited from Germany this past summer, we took them to see the Reynolds - Alberta Museum. I'd heard of this place before. However, in my entire life living here, I'd NEVER visited it! It was SO MUCH FUN! There is SO much to see and many activities to take part in. We enjoyed it so much. There was also bread (and other baked goodies - cinnamin buns....) baked fresh throughout the day of our visit. There are children's activities and adult activities alike. While *TECHNICALLY* this probably belongs to a WETASKIWIN, Alberta site - I've NEVER actually been to Wetaskiwin (I think!). SO, as the location is close enough to Edmonton, you'll find the tip under my Edmonton page.
Please check it out! You will enjoy it. The history is amazing and the hands-on activities are worthwhile... and FUN!
There are many events taking place here throughout the year. For a calendar please follow THIS link!
Also, the Official Website is found HERE!
MAILING ADDRESS: Box 6360, Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 2G1
PHONE: (780) 361-1351
FAX: (780) 361-1239
TOLL FREE: (800) 661-4726
E-MAIL: ram@gov.ab.ca

The Reynolds Museum is a world class venue that almost nobody knows about. It interprets the impact of technological change in transportation, aviation, agriculture and industry from the 1890s to the 1970s. Visitors will see a wide variety of vintage automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, trucks, stationary engines, tractors, agricultural implements, aircraft and industrial equipment.

The Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame is a part of the Reynolds Museum. It is an extensive collection of personal items and memorabilia related specifically to inducted Members. This includes such material as licenses, logbooks, uniforms, insignia, medals, trophies and awards, documents, correspondence, scrapbooks and photographs.

The museum is named after Mr. Stan Reynolds, a Wetaskiwin businessman and world-renowned collector. Mr. Reynolds donated a core collection of 1500 artifacts to the province of Alberta between 1982 and 1986.

The museum is open every day except Mondays from 10am-5pm. Admission is $6.50 Cdn. It is located off Highway 2 or 2A; one kilometre west of the city of Wetaskiwin on Highway 13 or east from Highway 2. The site is 30 minutes south east of Edmonton International Airport.

Out in the oil patch is definitely off the beaten path! Much of the oil and gas exploration in Alberta is based in Edmonton.

This is a view of Refinery Row on the east side of Edmonton on 17th street, with a field of blooming canola in the foreground. The huge Petro-Canada refinery is on the right and the Strathcona refinery is on the left. Downtown is more or less in the centre. Both are undergoing massive upgrades to meet the refining capacity needed for the oil coming from Fort McMurray's oilsands projects. Alberta currently produces more than 2.7 million barrels of crude per day.

About an hour (or less) North of Edmonton lies Fort Saskatchewan. The unique thing about Fort Sask. is its sheep grazing attaction. Stop by and see sheep grazing in the middle of an urban area.

It's a rather interesting site. Mosey on down to the Tourist Info Office (Thurs to Sunday; around noon to 8 pm) for more info.

If you're in the Edmonton area, be sure to visit Smoky Lake, about 1 hour by car on Highway 28 northeast. Home of the giant Pumpkin capital of Alberta. Current Alberta champion is John Lobay, with a 751 pounder! Weigh-off in 2002 is Saturday Oct. 5

Pictured is the developer of the Atlantic Giant strain, Howard Dill of Windsor, Nova Scotia

There are some really charming rural areas around the city of Edmonton - just hop in the car and enjoy!