Country Soul Stroll - Featured Itinerary
July 17 - September 6, 2011
What better way to start out your day than a trip to the Devonian Botanic Garden. Wander through the indoor greenhouses and the expansive feature gardens outdoors. Don't miss spending some time in the butterfly house for an up close encounter with these beautiful creatures.
Just 10 minutes west of Stony Plain is The Carvel General Store, a must-see in Parkland County. This beautifully-restored 91-year-old landmark and specialty store is in about as peaceful a setting as there is anywhere. Featuring the work of local artists, authors, fine crafters, potpourris, soaps and lotions, fence board furniture, teas, as well as classic clothing and linen, they offer a wide selection of country finery for all tastes.
While here why not stop at one of the many beautiful communities in this area including the historic Town of Stony Plain, Village of Wabamun (The Village on the Lake), or find everything you need in the City of Spruce Grove!
Next it is off to the City of St Albert to take a trip back into St. Albert's past by visiting the Musée Héritage Museum and St. Albert Heritage Sites. Located in downtown St. Albert, The Musee Heritage Museum tells the story of St. Albert from its beginnings as a missionary settlement to the thriving City it has become today. Then it is a short drive or follow the trail over the footbridge and along the Sturgeon River to discover the St. Albert Grain Elevator Park. Newly restored and opening on July 1, 2011, this park features two of Alberta's designated wooden grain elevators; Here you can discover everything you wanted to know about these historic prairie structures.
Just 3 kilometers from St. Albert on Highway 2 you will find Horse Sence Training & Petting Zoo. Interact with horses, parrots, mini cattle, llamas, donkeys, rabbits, pot bellied pigs, emus, goats, sheep and more! This is a great place for a picnic while watching the horses at play then go for a pony ride, or try calf roping, go for a hay ride or even take a riding lesson. Book ahead and you can even go on a trail ride.
Keep heading Northeast and you will find the Alberta Railway Museum. Climb aboard and experience Alberta's railway past in a big way. With over 75 cars and locomotives on site, this is a large scale museum that will make a huge impression. Take a ride on a track inspector motor car, steam engine or vintage diesel locomotive then tour restored train cars and check out the station and water tower. The Alberta Railway Museum is open on weekends all summer long.
Now it is on to the Town of Gibbons where you must make a stop and see Toula Prins of Toula’s House of Clay. Imagine holding the house you grew up in or the church where you were married in the palms of your hands. The art of replicating architecture is Toula Prins’ pride and passion. She carefully crafts each structure by hand, sometimes using as many as 20 pieces to complete a work. These reproductions make truly unique gifts for anniversaries, corporate presentation, retirement or a treasured keepsake. Toula also displays and sells a collection of original watercolour paintings by Rosa Pinzauti whose work can be found in collections around the world.
After leaving Gibbons, it is just a short drive to Longriders RV Park located on Highway 28A. Here is where you will find great trails for all skill levels of horse riders. All trail rides are accompanied with a guide on and around the scenic Sturgeon River Valley and the historic Athabasca Landing Trail. Bring along your RV and plan to spend the night in Longriders full service RV park for who knows what countryside adventures await you tomorrow.
For more information on any of these sites, click on Places to Go
and don't forget you can use our new mobile AP so you can just map it, get in and go!