Saskatoon aka City of Bridges
Francine leading the a-Maze!
I am in Saskatchewan to connect with a rich and cherished tourism family, to experience a new place (art, culture, food, nature), and am in pursuit of the Living Skies that this province is so aptly named for.
I started with an urban experience at the AltHotel in central Saskatoon at the South Saskatchewan River – the connecting flowing thread of this downtown experience. There are miles and miles of water, accessible trails and endless vistas, on and off pavement and along this waterway; teeming with of families, strollers, riders, water and amusement parks, museums and galleries and culinary?…. Oh the food. (Like Drift, OEB Breakfast and Primal) The weather gods were also on my side for 2 plus days.
After an urban experience, I drove 30 minutes east of Saskatoon to a family-owned, authentic western homestead/retreat, hosted by the head Marshall, Francine Denis of @ChampetreCounty. We will be longtime friends. More connections.
They have a three-part maze! A Maze! Amazing! Did you know that the Amazing Race in 2018 filmed at Champetre? Francine and I completed it in 45 minutes – so stressful but so fun! Who knew you could play with baby animals, stay in historical refurbished accommodations, camp, dine, dance, BBQ and gather and ride and hike and hayride/sleighride here? This space is a 360 acre Homestead Retreat: full-service with year-round adventures, beautiful local food, celebration and gathering spaces and several generations of story and family links to the place and community. Who knew descendants of France would hold their language, identity and culture here so fiercely? I did not. #Magnifique
Front of Dakota Dunes Resort property sunset spectacle
LivingSkiesAdventures (Stand Up Paddling) is operated by expert paddler/coach Carrie Ruep-Hildebrand. Her light is the shine in Saskatoon. People in tourism don’t run experiences for sport – her passion for water is contagious and her connection to the water and to sharing it’s power was my gift. Oh yes – we swam in the Saskatoon River! WOOT WOOT!
My next Saskatoon adventure took me to a world-class hotel and casino called the Dakota Dunes, proudly owned by the WhiteCap Dakota First Nation and equipped with a neighboring golf course with endless skies and rich rolling greens. I am rendered speechless to the architecture, room design, hospitality, the light, the people, the presence of culture and identify, and again - the FOOD!
On my final morning over breakfast at the Dunes, I was watching the morning sun heat up the outdoor patio when a WhiteCap Dakota Elder joined me. Alvina Eagle would be giving the opening prayer at a conference in the hotel and we had a quick tea and conversation. She imparted stories of growing up and riding horse with her father in the fields that are now occupied by this expansive new property. She proudly shared her pride for her athletic and accomplished children, and her recent career working with youth. #myhonour
So I will pause here, nestled at the Dunes, inhaling Saskatoon and region, madly grateful for my tourism family and the magic I have witnessed and tasted in my short few days in this province.
#preachsasktoon
@tourismsaskatchewan
#transcanadatrail
Carrie Paddle Queen - Living Skies Adventures
#connectingcanada
#ichoosecanada
#whitecapdakota
#plainscree