FARM LIVING THE WESTERN PRODUCER | WWW.PRODUCER.COM | AUGUST 6, 2020 37 Try taking the road less travelled between Sask. cities

TALES FROM THE ROAD

ARLENE & ROBIN KARPAN

ith most long-distance travel on hold, many W of us are staying closer to home this summer and doing driving trips. Leaving the major highways where we can slow down to enjoy the scenery provides the most rewarding type of road trip. In , we’re fortu- nate to have some great off-the- beaten-path routes linking our major cities.

Saskatoon to Regina

While Highway 11 is a quick and easy way, a route just to the west takes us through parks, wildlife refuges, and along Lake Diefen- baker. Head south of Saskatoon on Fish Creek Road is one of the backroad routes that can be used to get off the beaten path in Saskatchewan. This road is part of an alternative Highway 219 — the Chief Whitecap way to travel between Saskatoon and Prince Albert. | ARLENE AND ROBIN KARPAN PHOTOS Trail. It passes through the White- cap Dakota First Nation, site of the Dakota Dunes Golf Links, one of the province’s top golf courses. Just south of here is the historic Round Prairie Cemetery, all that remains from a large Metis community dat- ing to the 1850s. The highway ends just outside . To continue south, turn onto Highway 44 along ’s east shore. Almost immediately, we pass the entrance to Danielson Provincial Park with campgrounds, lake access, and trails through prairie grasslands, wooded coulees, and lakeshore. At the junction with Highway 19, turn south toward Elbow, home to the Elbow Harbour Recreation Site with its popular golf course and scenic views over the marina. Douglas Provincial Park is next with campgrounds, hiking trails and a full range of lakeside activi- The St. Laurent Ferry is a worthwhile detour to visit the historic site ties. We consider the highlight of of St. Laurent. the park, and indeed this entire route, to be the hike to the sand River much of the way. Begin by Saskatoon to The Battlefords dunes. After walking about 45 min- heading northeast of Saskatoon utes, we enter an exotic desert-like on Highway 41. About 10 Instead of heavily travelled High- landscape of active dunes with kilometres past Aberdeen, turn way 16, an alternative scenic route rippled ridges, bowl-shaped blow- north onto Fish Creek Road. The stays on the south side of the North The sand dunes are one of the highlights of Douglas Provincial Park outs, and trees with exposed roots. route takes us past onion-domed Saskatchewan River the entire way. on Lake Diefenbaker. This shouldn’t be missed. heritage Ukrainian churches, It has a definite off-the-beaten- Shortly after Highway 19 crosses then beside the Fish Creek Battle path feel with little traffic. the Qu’Appelle River near its outlet Site where the first battle was Head west of Saskatoon on High- from Lake Diefenbaker, turn south- fought in 1885 between the way 14. Just past Asquith turn north east on Highway 367 towards Eye- Canadian militia and Metis led onto Highway 376, which zigzags brow, then keep going this direc- by Louis Riel. northwest, crossing the beautiful tion past Brownlee, Keeler, Mar- Fish Creek Road ends at Highway Eagle Creek Valley where a regional quis, and to Tuxford at the junction 312, but the route continues north park is a recreational centre of the with Highway 2. along the river on Highway 225 to area. The road passes the tiny com- Head east of Tuxford to Buffalo Batoche National Historic Site. munities of Arelee, Struan, and Pound Provincial Park, a pictur- After closing because of COVID-19, Sonningdale before crossing the esque part of the Qu’Appelle Valley almost everything has re-opened North Saskatchewan River on the along Buffalo Pound Lake. Our at the famous site that depicts Maymont Bridge. favourite part of the park is Nicolle Metis culture and the historic 1885 Just before getting to the river, Flats Nature Area where wildlife Battle of Batoche. turn west onto Baljennie Road, abounds in the marshlands. An Just north of Batoche, Highway which continues to Highway 4 excellent system of hiking trails 225 turns east toward Bellevue, but south of Battleford. This is an espe- leads to bird-rich wetlands, the we can continue following the river cially scenic section as the road river, and high into the adjoining northeast along Grid Road 782 to winds through the Eagle Hills with hills. Highway 301 heads straight St. Louis on Highway 2, then turn creek valleys, forested hills, and a south of the park, joining Highway north to Prince Albert. plateau with views toward the river 1 between and Regina. A worthwhile detour along this valley. Partway along an historic stretch is to cross the St. Laurent marker commemorates the old Saskatoon to Prince Albert Ferry to visit the historic site of St. Saskatoon to Battleford Trail, the Laurent just across the river. The main route used by early settlers. Our favourite backroads route early Metis settlement dates to the Arlene and Robin Karpan are well-travelled is Fish Creek Road, which fol- 1870s and boasts a beautiful log writers based in Saskatoon. The Elbow Marina can be found on Lake Diefenbaker, just off Highway lows the South Saskatchewan church. Contact: [email protected]. 44.