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A Day on The River

7/10/2017

16 Comments

 
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Welcome 

Hugs to all and welcome to the Fireside minus the fire, sorry just a little to hot for my liking. If you catch a chill grab a quilt to stay warm. 

I was awake this morning at 4:48 on the nose. As hungry as a bear, the first time in a long while. Since the injury 2 months ago I have dropped 16 pounds and down to 168 pounds. Fried up some onions, four medium potatoes and 4 eggs. Sorry there are no left overs, I took my doctors advice, he said stay active and do what you normally do but do it with caution. 

By 6:00am I was one the road, pontoon boat and all my gear and heading down the highway. I caught this picture of a beautiful sky, a weird cloud formation you could float away on. 
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This is where I found myself a mere half hour from home. A place called Dry Island Buffalo Jump. The Red Deer River lazily winding its way through what we here call the Badlands. A place were many dinosaur skeletons have been found. This valley runs through centeral Alberta and in it heart is an amazing place called... 

 http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com

​It is a facinating place you can loose all sense of time in.
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So why Dry Island Buffalo Jump... well it is one of the places the Cree Indians would round up the buffalo and chase them to their certain death as they plummeted over  a bank like this one.
Yes it woukd seem barbaric but keep in mind in the day there were not the high powered rifles we have today. It is said the Chief would decide the number of animals it would take to sustain the tribe. The young braves would cut that number from the herd and drive them over the edge where the women and children harvest the bounty.

The Cree people were well known to never waste any part of the animal. Buffalo were their main source of meat at the time. As well there were many fish to be had in the river. Maintaining the health and need to the tribe would be essential to to their survival of the pending long cold winters.

Of course the road you see would not have been there. Maybe it was a trail of sorts but today it does lead down to the river itself.

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Yesterday I was able to walk across this section of river in my chest waders but today brought my pontoon boat. It allows me better access to some of the better pools where fish gather. Watching birds of chance such as pelicans will easily tell you where the fish are.

The Red Deer River supports several species of fish but the target fish for flyfishing today were the scrappy Goldeye. They are extremely high in Omega Oils and certainly not my favourite. I have eaten them cooked and processed in many forms from frying, steaming and smoking and I am afraid they are not on my palette so they just go back into the river.  

Yet another species are Sturgeon but they are generally very small and are strictly protected. They are a fish which requires hour upon hours of patience  as they are illusive. 

This morning was a rather slow morning in the fishing department. I managed to get a few Goldeye and they were returned to grow larger. It was all about simply getting out. 

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Getting too or leaving has its challenges as there are many switch backs in the road. Slowly climbing or descending can be an experience but the benefits are amazing. I might add this morning my second breakfast were fresh off the vine wild Saskatoon berries.



Of course the travel and the countryside are always a part of the experience. Here there are mile after miles of flowering Canola' This is where Canola cooking oil is found.

The last half hour on the river revealed a storm brewing in the west. I would love to attach a video of the storm that followed but Weebly does not like video it appears. Just saying I was glad to be unloaded back at home when the sky opened.

Hope the journey has been interesting from the stills I have attached... 

Thank you for the visit and should there be any questions you have, well just pass them along and I will try to answer them for you.

Now is the time to start planning the next venture into Northern and central BC... fishing of course and I will try and get some pictures ... In the meanwhile many hugs and as always even more blessings 

© Rolly A. Chabot 

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16 Comments
Christy B link
7/10/2017 03:57:37 pm

Great to learn about your adventure in the pontoon boat, Rolly. Today is now officially clouded over outside. If rain comes, I know that those close to the wildfires here will be grateful. It sounds like you awoke early as a man on a mission. Be safe and keep eating healthy. But don't lose too much weight!

Reply
Rolly A. Chabot link
7/10/2017 08:49:45 pm

Hi Christy... early I was and the trip though short was pleasant after being on lock down here. Was great to get out and enjoy some travel. Like always I am certain the pounds will find their way back... Thanks as always for stopping by...

Hugs and all...

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Martie link
7/11/2017 11:20:37 am

Hi Rolly!

You are truly blessed, living in a besutiful, unique part of the world, and so close to nature. Interesting about the canolas. Seeing them in bloom must be awesome.

Now that was a soopa-doopa breakfast at 5am. I believe it has given you energy for the entire day.

Thanks for making us spend a day with you :)

Hugs,
Martie

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Rolly A. Chabot link
7/11/2017 02:19:14 pm

Hi Martie...
Smiles it was a breakfast for certain... the place close to home is special I think because of the history. It is one of the very few places you find native Prairie grasses and fauna.
The river is a great producer and it is always great to put back instead of take all the time.

Hugs and Blessings

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Peter link
7/11/2017 06:40:16 pm

Hi Rolly . Glad you weren't caught out in a storm . Some severe weather in central Alberta recently , as you already know . Great pics as always and an interesting read , as always . You may find BC
drastically changed by the time you take your trip . News shows close fire escapes like Fort Mac Blessings Peter .

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Rolly A. Chabot link
7/12/2017 12:56:47 pm

Hi Peter...
Yes you are so right and glad I made it back before the "Great Dump" They are saying as much as 4 inches of rain and large hail 20 miles from here. We were spared from the worst but still very wet.
I have been watching the weather and it seems most of the routes planned are being affected by fire in high danger zones... just pray BC gets some rain to quell the fires hunger...

Hugs fro a little north east

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Bill Kovacic
7/12/2017 04:13:38 am

Hi Rolly,

I love the way you tied in the pictures with your story. Beautifyul country and a wonderful history lesson of the Crees. Thank you!

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Rolly A. Chabot link
7/12/2017 01:01:10 pm

Hi Bill:
The area is steeped in History such as this. Today such a practice would raise a storm of protests and yet in the day it was a means the Cree used to feed themselves. I am certain if people were to see what is called modern meat processing they would be in total horror. Meat does not just magically appear from the back of the grocery store as what some would think.
To me the culture at the time hunted and gathered in the best way they could.

Hugs and Blessings

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Angelia Phillips link
7/12/2017 09:15:26 am

Rolly,

These posts are fascinating. I love your journeys and grateful you take the time to share them with us.

This area is spectacular and I thoroughly enjoyed the pics!

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Rolly A. Chabot link
7/12/2017 01:05:18 pm

Hi Angelia...
The local history of where people live when studied can be fascinating. As I stand overlooking the river valley and attempt to visualize living dinosaurs roaming freely I stand in awe of Gods creation. It is blessing to be in this area.
Now toss in some excellent fly fishing and well you know me I am like a happy clam.

Hugs from Alberta

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crazyhorseladycx
7/13/2017 02:17:51 pm

howdy, mr. rolly!

what a most beautiful patch 'f land ya got surroundin' ya! i admit to shudderin' 'bout the native peoples doin' such to the buffalo, but lots could be (should be?) learnt from 'em - don't take more'n ya need...e'er.

back'n the hills we'd access to many bodies 'f water 'n the fishin' 'twas fine. my dad's fav was to go troutin', but he'd settle fer takin' the big boat out 'n doin' some small mouth bass fishin', too.

so glad ya got to enjoy yet 'nother beautiful day, what a gift!

big hugs!

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Rolly A. Chabot link
7/14/2017 06:41:44 am

Hi Deb..
Yes the hunting method was brutal but very effective, a way of life for the Cree and other people of the region.
Your dad sounds like a man of the land and teaching his children to ove fishing was a bonus.
Yes I am very blessed to live in such an area, no matter where a person hangs their hat it all has its own beauty.

Hugs from Alberta

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Vicki
7/14/2017 06:56:13 pm

Hi Rolly,
Oh, I feel so fortunate to have traveled that area so many times! it is lovely in its own way. I've spent hours in the Tyrell museum too. Just fascinating stuff, and I've even contemplated life as it must have been, in the days of the Buffalo Jump. Great to feel close to you in this way.
I love your pontoon. It looks so comfortable.
Hugs from BC

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Rolly A. Chabot link
7/14/2017 10:06:18 pm

Hi Vicki... Thank you for the visit, always great to have you aboard.
The pontoon boat is very comfortable. I used to float 67 miles down the Bow river in a day and rarely feel it. It has room for much storage, I am very happy for choosing it,
That is neat that you have travelled all of these same paths. The museum is an amazing place indeed and definitely need to be on everyones bucket list...

Hugs as always

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Maria link
7/20/2017 06:17:53 am

What beautiful and peaceful surrounds, dear Rolly thanks for making us feel as though we are on the adventure with you.

Wishing you safe and peaceful travels tomorrow - looking forward to reading all about this trip as well. Remember to listen to your body.

Love and hugs from PA, Maria

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Rolly A. Chabot link
7/20/2017 08:02:03 am

Hi Maria
Thank for the comment and taking the time to read through my babble. No matter where we live there is beauty and yes this area is bountiful for a little adventure now and again. With mountains within a few hours and the many lakes, rivers and streams I am fortunate.
I will be listening to the back... smiles.

Hugs from Canada

Reply



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