In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb As the snow continuous to endlessly fall over these past couple of days I have had the above poem playing in my head over & over again. This winter, my first winter, in the Northern Prairie has been an interesting adventure as I experienced winter like I rarely have before. Firstly, this is the second winter where the warming effects of El Nino have been extreme enough that I truly have seen the "benefits" of the warming temperatures, & will remember them for years to come. Secondly, I have gotten familiar with the beautiful winter phenomenon of a Chinook wind. Who knew for the this prairie girl the answer to finding a milder winter was in fact going North?! A contradiction, but one that has proven true in this move... or at least for this winter season. With these milder winter temperatures I have been finding myself out enjoying the outdoors a lot more than I usually do. My inner hibernating bear is a little upset, but come next winter I am sure she will get all the sleep she needs as we move back into a regular winter cycle. This getting out has been an excellent opportunity to explore my new home as I develop my new routine, which includes finding my favorite spots to wander & let my puppy run wild. It's beauty has not stopped producing amazing views as I explore in the depths of winter. The Northern Prairie has been an amazing new home to me, & I often forget how far North I am actually living, or the fact that I am living within British Columbia & not in my beloved forever home province of Saskatchewan. The amazing sunsets, & paths amongst fields, have me feeling like I never left home. It has made the transition to the Great White North a lot easier. Then I have moments, that are a quick drive away, that remind me that I have very much left my beloved provincial home far behind. One weekend this past winter I got to enjoy a quick jaunt to Liard Hot Springs. On the way there I got to check another species off my list, the Stone Sheep. It was amazing to catch a sight of these Northern dwelling animals, & I loved that I got to catch a glimpse of their babies. I fell in love with this very interesting animal. It was neat to actually drive amongst the mountains on this trek, & enjoy the unique geography that created the area. The Hot Springs themselves were a truly amazing piece of nature to behold, & I can't wait to go back to experience them some more. It was definitely one of the neatest places I have ever been during the winter. The mountains, the landscape, the plants & animals, all combined with the experience of swimming in hot naturally occurring water in the middle of winter with beautifully delicate frost hanging from the trees is not something I will ever forget. Something that I will definitely head back to next winter when the cold chills me to the bones... however, I will remember to pack better to keep myself warm after a dip! This winter has been an amazing adventure, & I can't wait to see what the next season has in store. Tomorrow when I wake up I only hope that I will get to explore all the new fresh snow that has fallen in better weather conditions, & let my puppy run through it all. For a person who admits readily her distaste for winter I am strangely growing a new kind of fondness for the season. The adventures that are possible, & the things I can't wait to do the next time this season comes around, has me excited. Though my inner bear rumbles upset at the prospect of losing yet another promised seasoned of sleep. I guess it will be a challenge learning to balance the two sides for I truly enjoy winter for it's quiet, rejuvenating, beauty. So, don't get too excited to see me turning into a winter crazy girl. I don't know if I will ever wear the "Northern" badge fully, as I do love my winter hibernation a little too much. “You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” ― Dr. Seuss
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And here we are. It's January 13th, & New Years Eve for me! I choose to celebrate the Julian calendar New Years, Malanka, because I enjoy having the time to truly review & give thanks for my past year without the buzz of the "holiday" season. Tonight is my final blog post about my "Last Saskatchewan Summer", & will be my last tale of my "old" life. I thought an excellent way to commemorate this would be to give a "tip of the hat" to Saskatchewan's Natural History. This summer I visited the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, & what an amazing eye opening experience it was! Saskatchewan's natural history is as amazing as the history of the people who live there. The things I learned while at the RSM were definitely something to take notice of. The amazing animals that walked the land before Saskatchewan became the landscape we truly know today was eye opening. Learning at one point Saskatchewan was an inland sea & had one of the most interesting fish swimming in the waters that covered the province was one of the highlights of my time there. Just after that entrance, there was the chance to be able to touch one of the displays which made the inner child inside of me smile, on the outside. The amazing collection, & wealth of information was more than I could have asked for. To learn the details of Saskatchewan's development as an adult was worth the visit. I loved getting the chance to walk through Saskatchewan's history. Learning about the animal development, & then getting to experience displays that walked you through the people of Saskatchewan's land history was eye opening. The RSM really takes you for a walk through history, & you feel like you're transported through time. This walk through time then transitions to a walk through the ecosystems of Saskatchewan. Each display taking you through one unique habitat to another. You not only walk through time, but through places. One of the most inspiring aspects that I am glad I got a chance to see before they have been changed was the displays themselves. The amazing artwork that it took to create the murals, & displays, made my inner artist vibrate. A new life goal has been set for myself as I figured out one of the directions I would LOVE to take my work. It would be such an honor to be able to create displays like the one's displayed at the RSM. Displays that literally make you feel like you're in the ecosystem they are displaying to you is an under appreciated art form. In my Last Saskatchewan Summer I couldn't think of a better way to experience "Saskatchewan" before I got in my leaving truck. Through the amazing information & displays, I was transported to some of my favorite parts of Saskatchewan without leaving Regina. A chance I was unable to coordinate between work, farm, family time, & rodeo. I am thankful that there are spots in Regina that can introduce & immerse people into parts of Saskatchewan if they are unable to make it outside Regina's city limits. Though the ending is a lot more thought provoking than I expected to find, as a question of our future is posed. I walked through it & thought of my own consumerism, my own footprint. Am I doing enough? Am I treading lightly? What does the future hold for these beautiful landscapes that I love & devote my life to protecting? A question of "what would my future be", well I couldn't think of a better way to end this post. 2016 truly starts for me in the morning & I have no idea what this next year will bring. I am excited at the prospect of the brand new adventure. I am excited to start telling the tale of my "new life" here in the Northern Prairies. This past year I didn't do a lot of planning as a lot of my life was out of my control it seemed in 2015. I guess life wanted to tell me to relax, & teach me to be flexible. I am going to take some of those lessons forward in 2016. I do know however, I want to make the most of this next adventure. It's a wide open world out there, & as John Muir has been quoted "The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.” .... well I would say I want to do the same. So good-bye 2015, & my beloved Saskatchewan. It has been an eye opening adventure, & it is time for this girl to move on to the next one. But don't worry Saskatchewan, my future will involve many planned visits to make sure I stay centered, focused, & most of all.. reminded that the world is a wide open place & the sky isn't a limit, but instead it is home. ** All copyright to displays to the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, & their creators. My photos are only there to give a glimpse of the displays & to help encourage visits. Please take the time to visit, & donate, to keep this provincial treasure open & doing their excellent work (including research work).
So it is a Monday night & as my New Years pulls closer I find myself going over memories from the summer. There is one specific one that sticks out in my head tonight, on this Memories Monday. It was when my family & I decided to go back to Riding Mountain National Park this past summer. On a whim, & a quick change in our family vacation plans we found ourselves in a new direction & packed up to enjoy an oTentik. *Side Note: if you ever have the chance to camp in one of them, please do it. You will not be sorry!* This spur of the moment trip that got planned, when we realized our original family vacation for the summer wouldn't work out, was a lesson in taking a moment to remember. That is because while planning the trip we realize that it was 18 years since we had last visited the park. My mother & I pulled out the old photo album & began to share memories of that amazing first "big & full" family vacation. As we went through the old photographs we thought back to the old memories & noted which spots we would have to stop again in. Upon entering the park from the original direction we first visited it in it was like a case of extreme deja vu. However, for me, that would be replaced with a sense of accomplishment & pleasant realizations on how far I had I come in those past 18 years. As we toured through the park I tried to bring up all the old memories I could of who I was, what I felt back then while being in the park, & what all that meant to me now. It was a very pleasant, & accomplished, feeling to realize that I was now visiting this park while also being a Parks Canada employee. As I explored all the different parts of the park I began to think more, & it was one of the most eye opening trips of a lifetime. Sometimes the best thing a person can do is take a break & find somewhere they can walk in the shoes of their own at a different time in life. You stop to take notice of things you didn't the time before. Admittedly I was too young to appreciate what an amazing & unique place the park was. I didn't understand the importance of the geology or history it now held (being the last national park to be decorated by the gate displayed in the first photo). As we toured around the east part of the park exploring the history, & taking in a road side view from the escarpment, I took in the views in a way I never would have understood in my young age. I am glad I got the chance to re-experience this spot & take notice of something I missed the time before. That moment of awe was repeated later as we toured around the park with the help of our great guide during one of the driving/walking tours of the park. The little spots we were taken to in the park & the details about the ecosystem & history of park development were appreciated in a whole new way. The hike, & drive, with guide was excellent in itself. However now being a graduate of a Wildlife & Fisheries Management program, along with the beginning of a working career in grassland (along with watershed) conservation, it gave me a whole new set of eyes. Now I understood the importance of the history found in the fun bison song that explained the expansion of the native wild bison herd in the park. Along with understanding the incredible uniqueness & importance of protecting the ecologically diverse spot that the park is founded on. I was able to pick out the amazing native wildlife flowers that were growing in every spot we visited, & I was often left behind the group as I tried to grab photos of these treasures. Riding Mountain National Park is an excellent spot to go capture photographs of some of the unique & beautiful wildflowers that grow within Canada. The park is full to the brim with moments that you can get the chance to see the many amazing parts of nature that make Canada unique. Some of these have to do with the things on the smaller size, but it also includes the large ones as well. Keep your eyes out while camping you might just notice a Black Bear, or while driving/walking through the park you may notice Moose, or Deer. The park is home to hundreds, & even thousands, of the amazing animals that make Canada their home. Of those animals, that also includes the amazing Bison. These amazing animals are healthy & strong at Riding Mountain National Park, & other Parks Canada sites in Canada. They have to be one of my favorite wild animals, & the reason for that is simple. Every ecosystem needs that one "superstar" animal to help promote awareness for it. The prairies, & more importantly the grasses, have the bison to speak for them. Though there is two types of bison out there, the wood & plains, & I have a passion for both species. Each one speaks specially to the ecosystems they are attached to, & speak for conservation of the grasslands they feed on. Every chance I get to be able to spot true, wild descendants, of our native bison populations I jump at immediately. Though I have nothing against our domesticated stock (I actually am quite in love with them), it is amazing to see where they started from. Including getting the chance to be able to watch & analyze how much has, & has not, changed. I will admit I owe my family a lot on this trip & that they allowed me the chance I got to see the beautiful creatures. I forced my family up early in the morning so we could get out there to see them before the descended into the trees to take cover from the heat of the day. As we made our way into the viewing platform of course I made notice of the sign that discussed bison conservation. Though it is something of a good conservation tale that we have been able to bring bison numbers back from the brink. That good tale is only half of the real story. You see, their habitat is not as lucky. The habitat that supported many of these great creatures over vast miles is very small in amounts in our current world. Looking at grassland ecosystems as a whole only 25% of them remain. If one actually looked at every grassland eco-type as they looked at specific tree habitats in the forest, then there are ecosystems that have 5% or less left. It is a great to know that Parks Canada is taking a step foreword in the protection of these unique habitats & the animals that exist within them. I am truly thankful for all those that put the effort in to study, & assess these cultural gems (furred & otherwise). This trip truly reminded me why I have taken the path in life I have chosen. How I ended up in university in a Wildlife & Fisheries Management program rather than an agriculture centered related field of study. I can only hope that if I had the chance to run into the young girl I was the first time I visited that park that she would look back at me proud of where this life path has taken me. I can say I can't wait until the next time I get to explore this amazing park, & that I look forward to accomplishing my "bucket list" goal of visiting every National Park in Canada. I am excited to see what other wonders await me at the other Parks within Canada, & what inspiration will hit me there.
As I close this blog I must strongly urge you if you haven't visited a Parks Canada National Park or Historic Site that you add it to a "must do" to your summer adventure list. I am thankful everyday for the forethought of the people who conserve these spaces & tend to them for future generations to enjoy. Each one protects at least one unique Canadian gem, & each gem deserves to be seen. Also, if you enjoyed the wildlife photos seen in this blog, & would like to try your hand at some, please first do some reading to ensure the safety of yourself & the animals your photographing. A great place to start would be here (Parks Canada specific rules), here (National Geographic), here & here.
As we all settle back into our routine after the holiday season I am sure you, like myself, are finding yourself back at work. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to tell you all about the amazing experience I had this summer. I got a call on a beautiful May Friday morning while I was moving my things to Regina, & not entirely sure where my summer was headed, that would change my direction entirely. I found myself employed with what will surely be remembered as the "Job of a Lifetime" for me. I started work with Parks Canada at the Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site. It was absolutely one of the BEST ways I could have spent my time in my "Last Saskatchewan Summer".
As a lover of animals, there is absolutely no better job then getting to take care of animals & baby animals at that! I got a summer full of taking care of cattle, goats, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens, a turkey, & of course the amazing Toby. Being the descendant of a Saskatchewan homesteader family one of the best experiences I got was learning how tough & resourceful, first hand in some ways, my fore-mothers had been. I have been blessed to have lived, & grown up, working the very homestead land my family had but I had never worked it like I worked at the Motherwell. Learning how to do it not only in 1912 ways, but in 1912 dress well that was a whole new eye opening experience. It truly gives one an appreciation for not only the new ways we have to do things, but also makes you wonder why we changed some? I truly to this day as I clean new stalls, wish I had the very handy wheelbarrows that I got to use at the Motherwell. Sure, the modern ones are "lighter" & have better wheels, but I truly miss being able to take the sides off the wheelbarrow that makes unloading & loading so much simpler.
I took a vow to myself that if I ever got in a position where I could do it, I would try to reverse the idea that farming is a subservient occupation - William Richard Motherwell
It was pretty neat to learn about William Richard Motherwell, his wife Catherine (Gillespie) & his daughter, as I dug around the house, listened to more experienced staff & went through some of the older books. I will say this, I am glad to know that even back in 1912 there were still young lady's who would rather be in the barn than washing dishes. It was very interesting to learn about how much Agriculture had evolved in the province of Saskatchewan, & whose hands were a part of that evolution. It was also really neat to talk to descendants of workers of Motherwell family that came to visit, & hear the stories they were told about the family. The type of people the Motherwell's were remembered to be, & how working for the Motherwell's influenced their family. One of my favorite, not nature or agriculture related, parts of the Motherwell site can be found in the house. On a wall you will find beautifully crafted First Nations bead work clothing that was gifted to the Motherwell's. The story behind that I would love to tell, but I think it would be better for you to explore the site & learn about them. SPOILER it has a good ending, & depending how you look at history a rather unique one.
The site has so many amazing spots & so many amazing stories to be told. Even working out in the garden & helping out with the aspects of "homesteader" life that I was more knowledgeable on I still learned many life skills. If you truly want to learn what it is like to live a homesteader life, well toss your tablet with the latest 10 Things list on how to be a "urban homesteader" & take up a summer at the Motherwell. The beautifully big garden, that also demonstrated summer fallow conditions, was a challenge as it was beautiful. Making sure everything had appropriate water during the dry days, & enough weeding to keep the weeds at bay... well my hands could have been lost out there (& some days they were). As an avid gardener I truly found it a treat that I could weed away stress while at work.
As the summer came to a close with fields ready to harvest, I think I may have just learned in the my last couple weeks how to pitch loose hay correctly.... I think. The people at the Motherwell Site were absolute pleasure to work with & I was finding myself very sad at the prospect of the fact this may be my only summer to get to work there. However, I don't think I cheered more to myself to see poppies bloom than the ones that bloomed on time for the Symphony Under the Sky event that was held at the end of summer. I have seen poppies come to bloom before, but these ones were extra special as they were ones blooming from seed from the actual Flanders Field. It was so neat to be connected to so much history in such an unique way that summer.
Hands down, this summer was one of the best experiences of my life. I highly suggest if you ever get the chance to work for Parks Canada to certainly JUMP at the opportunity. It is truly an unique experience, & you get to experience more than you thought you could in a summer. There are more stories, & favorite moments/spots, than can be shared in just one blog about my summer. I had an amazing time, & will be back often. Every time I look at historical photographs, or watch television/movies that depict the time period I am connected with a unique bond of knowledge that I'm forever thankful for. It will be the summer job I will NEVER forget, & with people who I am thankful to still have in my life. I hope this entices you to visit the site (I have added a map at the bottom of the page), & if you do find yourself there I hope you enjoy your time there as much as I did.
I am not a fan of the cold. I am very open about the fact that once the temperatures drop, and snow flies, I hibernate. I am not the greatest of "outdoorsy" or "nature girls" out there. I am very okay sitting inside for hours reading, binge watching my favorite movies/television shows, trying to express my creative side and going through my photographs. I am happy as clam to not leave my house for days at a time during the winter. This all changes once the weather becomes fair however, and the itch to get outside takes over. During the winter months I do start to go a little batty though as some cabin fever does set in. So, to compensate this winter I decided to go visit a friend and see the “big ol’ blue”. I got on a plane, left my winter world behind and woke up to a beautiful sunrise, a city, and the ocean. Seeing all the green was just the thing I needed to shake up my insides, and dispose of my winter blues. Seeing a dear friend of my friend was just the cherry on top! Getting to explore this foreign to me city with one of my dear friends who accepts me for all my oddness, and even adds her own special spice, made the trip truly amazing! Wandering the streets with my friend with all her awesome suggestions made me enjoy my time in Vancouver. I am not truly a fan of city, and people, but being able to wander with it someone who knows me inside and out made the trip one I truly enjoyed. We both have a love for the ocean, and so we spent some great time walking the seawall enjoying the site of the water. However, we both questioned why we couldn’t “smell” it compared to other places we have travelled to visit it. My friend agreed to tour me to the Vancouver Aquarium, and allowed me to take it in with all my ridiculous excitement. It is definitely a stop I would suggest if you in the Vancouver area. There is some amazing sites, great information, and the Vancouver Aquarium do some great work to help out in the marine biology world. The colors of the fish, the jellyfish, other animals, and getting to see the turtles and sharks, truly made my day. As I took note of the art students taking inspiration and working on projects I couldn’t help be jealous. I wanted to spend more time, and grab some colors, blank paper, and have some more fun. As I watched I knew at some point in my life I would love volunteer there, and now I have found another thing to add to my “future to-do list”. It was a great week get away, to indulge in an old friend, and let my mind rest. Once in a while a person needs to get away from their regular life to help put life in perspective. Sometimes the best thing a person can do is... runaway!
During the month of September I got to experience a very unique set of days within the Qu'Appelle Valley, the File Hills celebration days. It is a week long event that celebrates the history of the File Hills area. I was there for a few days working through the school days, teaching the ~1500 students over three days about the importance of aquatic animals found within the area. It was amazing to connect with so many students, and people, over the days on the subject, along with the day itself. The highlight of my time there was seeing the amazing Tipi (teepees) set up, and the amazing dancers that performed during the noon hour break. It was very interesting to learn the significance of the set up, and of the grounds. I enjoyed taking what little break time I had to explore all the other amazing educational opportunities that occurred through the circle set up. At noon I was mesmerized by the colors of the dancers’ costume, and the dances they were performing. Again, it was an excellent opportunity to learn about the history behind the dances as the announcer was very informative. I absolutely cannot wait for another chance to photograph these stunning dances, and outfits, again. One of the pleasant perks of these days work, outside of the above listed, was the chance to wake up and experience the beautiful Qu'Appelle Valley in the early morning. One morning as I waited for that day’s group of students to arrive to the ground I decided to take a hike up into the hills that surrounded the grounds. Along this hike I was greeted by a respectful group of local kids, and had an excellent morning conversation about the bird’s nest that had been found in the hills. I was also excited to find amongst the beautiful fall colors one of my favorite wild berries growing, Kinnikinik or Bearberry. I knew that this berry was found within the areas, but until that morning I had not had the chance to find it. I was overjoyed when I found it! The way home at the end of the day was also a pleasure for the eyes as I drove along the valley home. Seeing the golden colors of the changing leaves made me smile. The unique colors of fall are short lived, but stunning in the beauty. “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” - Albert Camus Each year the Moosomin & District Regional Park celebrates it's fireworks contest, Living Skies Come Alive. It brings the best out in fireworks from Manitoba & Saskatchewan to face off. The regional park in itself is an amazing place to visit, with a beautiful lake & beach to spend your time. Along with excellent campsites, & shore fishing spots. Arriving early for the festival I took in the sites of park, & enjoyed putting my toes in the sand. It is definitely a place I can't wait to visit again next summer, & take in for a few days. Some of the old arcade games in the beach front store, & cafe, are just calling my name. Along with that, some time on the beach under the beach shelters. If your a person that enjoys time in a quite off the track park that still has all could need, then the Moosomin & District Regional park is the perfect place for you. As the night came in my family, & I, settled down with our ice cream into our firework viewing spot early. It was a good thing, as the time for fireworks drew near the area filled up fast with people wanting to take in the show. The stage to the south of the beach provided excellent background music as we enjoyed our ice cream on the beach during our wait time.
Then when it got dark enough the sky opened up with a fantastic display of fireworks. The colors, & coordination, showed that much thought was put into the event. If you're going to take in one fireworks display within the year this competition should be at the top of your list. It does not disappoint, & it is excellently executed by all those involved. Right down to the parking! I can't wait to go again next year. On May long weekend I found myself on the road, & I had my truck pointed west. I was on my way to big beautiful British Columbia for the weekend; a 5 day round trip. That traveling day out to B.C. was as interesting, as it was beautiful. The weather would change from rain, to sun, & there was even a tornado warning at one point. The sights I got to see on the way up were amazing, & the roads were quiet. Traveling on a Thursday of a long weekend is a brilliant idea. I stopped many times along HWY 16 to stop & take in some of my favorite sights. I was extremely thrilled when I found myself to be one of only a handful of travelers on the road while I passed through the Robson Valley & McBride country. The area around McBride, B.C. is hands down one of the most beautiful landscapes in British Columbia in my opinion. Every time I travel through my heart skips a beat, & my breathe catches at the beauty that is found in that valley. It was made special that day since I could drive slow & didn't have to keep up with traffic to go through, also I was enjoying the green scenery that Saskatchewan was severely lacking at that point in time. My final stopping point on the road that day was Prince George, B.C. to visit with a dear friend. Prince George welcomed me with one of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen while being there. I also got greeted with a good hug, & one very cuddly puppy. It felt great to be "home" again. On this visit I also got to capture a reining event, & watch as some talented riders (& horses) showed off their skills. It was an awesome weekend of capturing spins & big stops as rider & horse worked seamlessly together to complete the prescribed pattern. I also took some time to soak up the local beauty that is the Prince George region. I enjoyed some time down by the Fraser river, attempting to catch frogs. The only one caught was caught by a friend who handed it off to me however, my skills were not up to par. Later during the trip I took a tour of a local farm, & got to spend some time with some farm animals that completely stole my heart. I have to admit that I was sad to leave that beautiful country side, in all its green glory, so soon. The trip home I made sure to soak up as much of that wet, green scenery I could while I prayed that Saskatchewan would greet me with the same site. As always, on the drive up & drive home, Jasper National Park provided an excellent break to the trip as I got to take in the sights of the mountains & wildlife.
I will admit though I was happy to be home when I arrived back at my real home. The province of Saskatchewan will always be my soul mate, & even though I love to travel, I do love coming home. When I arrived home I guess Mother Nature heard my prayers, & Saskatchewan was happy to have me back, because when I came home I found fresh green leaves, & a beautiful sunset to welcome me home. And so in the middle of November in comes the last big event of the year for me... Canadian Western Agribtion & the Candian Cowboys Assoication Finals! Agribtion is an amazing time for anyone that loves livestock agriculture. There is trade shows, auctions, and demonstrations that fill up the entire Evraz Place. Building after building, from corner to corner, there is no lack of things to see when it comes to livestock agriculture. The demonstrations range from working cow horse, to milking, to dog shows, and it gives an excellent opportunity for those who can't see these interactions in their life to be able to see it. It is evident by the large amount of inner city school tours that participate with the Agribition that there is a large audience for this education. It is an amazing experience, and not one I would miss any year if I can. Every year this is a new piece that I want to see. This year's included a colt starting program, and the dog agility show [I have never watched dog agility before, and it was sure neat to see]. I also had a great giggle at the sheep riding competition, which was sponsored by Cabela's. The fact that non-agricultural direct sponsors are apart of Canadian Western Agribiton gives a true hint to just how big, and important, the whole week is to the city. The rodeo that followed every night after the daily events was an amazing show every night. This year it was extra special being the 50th anniversary of the Canadian Cowboys Association. The opening ceremonies were even more special as a history of the association was shown on the big screen, and the whole arena buzzed with an extra energy. The announcers did an amazing job that night keeping everyone in a good party mood, with the help from the amazing rodeo clown of course. On Saturday, the closing day, it was family day and you could see the pride of those in the arena as they had their kids join them. In a display like that it is very apparent the importance, and respect, that family really has in the rodeo world. This being a major final event, I once again did not bring my camera to capture the event. I worked hard to challenge myself to catch what I could with my iPhone camera along with just sitting back to take in the event. All three days I took in the rodeo were amazing. This was due not only to great talent that was on display, or due to it being a finals competition, but also because the amazing energy that came from the crowd. Each day the arena showed a great attendance, and from regions all over the world. The entertainment throughout the entire night keep everyone upbeat, and excited for more. The clown did an amazing job as always providing hilarious jabs to keep the audience entertained as those working behind the scenes did their best to keep everything rolling smoothly, and quickly. The charity portion of the night with the football toss was also very entertaining to watch, along with seeing all the great support that came out for the cause with all the balls thrown. The 50/50 showed great numbers, and I am sure the high school rodeo association was happy with the funds they raised through it. My favorite part of the intermission shows was the wild pony race challenge that took place. Watching the kids work so hard to ride the ponies was thoroughly entertaining. I have seen wild horse races, which never disappoint in giving a great show, but there is something extra special watching the kids work the ponies the same way I have watched grown men and women work horses. And as always the night ended with the big display of bull riding. On the Thursday night performance there was also a bull fighter's challenge. It was amazing to watch as each bull fighter took on each bull in an attempt to show off their skills. And boy, skills do these guys have. It was amazing to just sit and watch them do their thing, without the extra distractions that usually go along with their job. It is awesome to see some special attention paid to these excellent people that help keep the cowboys safe. The bulls every night gave an excellent show of their talent, along with the people that ride them. It was definitely a great performance to watch, and send out my year of rodeo chasing with. Those beautiful animals never disappointment me, but it is great to know I will have great memories of the event to hold me over to next season. There were some rough rides for some of the cowboys, but thankfully they got out of the situation safely thanks to the great efforts of everyone on the ground. No one was majorly hurt, and thankfully the paramedics didn't have to work too hard [or at least not in arena]. The Canadian Cowboys Association Finals at the Canadian Western Agribition are always a great time. If after reading all my blogs of this past summer you decided you only want to go to one event, these finals definitely should be at the top of your list. It gives an excellent show not only from the amazing talent, but along with all the great light, along with fire, shows. There is no lack of big city entertainment in at these finals. The energy you feel while sitting in the crowd is at high, and will keep you enthralled with everything the night through. I have made the Canadian Cowboys Association Finals a family event, and it is the one time a year I bring out my entire family to come enjoy the sporting event that holds my heart. They are never disappointed when they come for their once a year rodeo intake, and I am sure you won't be either! So I encourage you to mark your calendars in November to take it in, along with all the other great things you can see while also taking time to enjoy the Canadian Western Agribition during the day. There is no doubt something for everyone to enjoy between the two great shows. Halloween was a night to remember! I loved that I got to enjoy it all at the Grain Millers Harvest Showdown in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. It was filled with spooky scenes, and fun costumes. Along with that it was filled with fun adventures, and knights in shining armour! The night started with an amazing showing of skills, and horsemanship when I got to watch my first ever show of mounted shooting. It was an amazing sport to watch, and I can't wait for the day that I can try my hand at it. The trick of the game is to ride a pattern on horseback, and shoot all the balloons in the pattern using blanks. The sport is a young sport, and is just starting to take off. To participate on needs not only a horse, but a restricted firearms license. After that I got to see an excellent show from a couple of riders from the Fantastic 4 Trick Riding Team. They were dressed up in their Halloween best, and it was amazing. The final big event of the night was getting the chance to watch Full Metal Jousting, and it even hosted by the amazing man off the famous television show himself, Shane Adams! It was a very educational, along with entertaining night, of knight games. We got to learn all the training it takes it become a Knight. The knights we saw that day were a variety from Eastern Canada, and the United States. The knights were from the International Knights of Valour team. The knights chose their ladies of court that they fought for, and even gave "gold" [gold wrapped candy] to their court like the traditional knights. The games were very interesting to watch, and especially when I got to see a knight cut a watermelon close to the head of a random assistant. The jousting was also awesome, and I got to watch as a knight got de-horsed. All round it was amazing show. I fully suggest going out to see any jousting event! It is a once in a lifetime opporunity. Well done Grain Millers Harvest Showdown it was quite the 25th anniversary bash! |
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