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Catherine Thompson - making a
Long Ride in Canada from South Saskatchewan |
Catherine has emailed The Guild:
Starting near Kildeer in S. Saskatchewan, I will ride west through Grasslands Nat'l Park, I will connect with the Frenchman River in the West block of the park near Val Marie and follow the river as much as possible to the Cyprus Hills on the Saskatchewan/Alberta border. After riding through the Cyprus Hills (there is a park there) I will go south west and connect with the Milk River in S. Alberta. I will follow the Milk river, again as much as possible, sticking to the south of Alberta until I get close to Waterton Lakes Nat'l Park. From there I plan to travel north on the eastern edge of the Rockies, most likely moving more into the mountains as I get closer to Banff. The route into Banff will either be along the Spray River or the Sundance River. It's looking as though I will travel from mid August to the end of October for this first leg of my trip.
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Click on image to see a map of Catherine's proposed route. |
I will continue on in the spring of 2009. Route not confirmed
Some of the many challenges will include fenced areas. I so dream of riding in the open plains, but it is a rare thing. Fences are everywhere. I 'm with friends in S. Alberta right now and they are giving me lots of advice about getting in touch with ranchers, native reserves etc to ask about riding through their land. Apparently there are some massive grazing areas out here and there could be some good opportunities for open riding avoiding roads as much as possible. There are quite a few dirt roads out here that could be a good way to avoid paved roads.
A part of this plan of mine is to put on small intimate house concerts when the opportunity presents itself. Though I have much music created for the ride so far, I think that a lot of music will come out of the travelling itself. Being away from the clock, the rhythms of horse travel, outdoor living etc. I feel fed up with our modern industrial world and its accompanying nature destruction and my travel is deeply connected to that frustration.
Your site has been a deep source of help and inspiration. I thank you for it!
Another aspect of this journey for me will be to collect sounds, music (from me and others perhaps), talk and whatever comes. I will record them as I go in my little digital recorder with the idea of presenting them as free podcasts that folks can check in with, listen to, download etc.. I would likely take the sounds collected and put them together in small presentations when I get to Banff and send them out as podcasts every week or two for as much as I have prepared.
Catherine has bought a Malibaud Randonée saddle, and plans to set off in August 2008.
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