by Mary Bailey
We saw them in the nick of time, near the right bumper, a mother duck with babies in tow marching on to the shoulder of the road. We drove past before they reached the pavement, but soon they would be on the road, small and brown and hard to see. I honked and waved energetically at the red Subaru wagon heading in the other direction.
Somehow, the driver understood and we saw brake lights. Then, the most extraordinary thing happened. The driver turned the Subaru around and, with high-beams on and emergency lights flashing, acted as a crossing guard for the duck family.
It was a neighbourly thing to do, and a good omen for a road trip. I was with Gord Snyder, the project manager for Eat East of Edmonton who is originally from Wainright. He has spent several years helping people discover east central Alberta. We were heading east with a plan to stop for bedding plants and sausages, have coffee in Camrose, see what could be seen. So far the seeing included a lone moose in a poplar grove, a rangy coyote and some fine examples of hay bale art.
We were also on a quest to see if you could travel Hwy 13, up to Wainwright for lunch, then back to Edmonton on Hwy 14.
It can be done but I don’t recommend it. It’s too much ground to cover in one day.
You’ll miss stopping to take photos of hay bale art and falling-down barns, and checking out every historical place marker. Or watching cloud shadows scud across fields of glorious yellow canola blooming against limitless blue sky.
Do Hwy 13 one weekend and Hwy 14 the next. Who knows? Maybe you’ll get to guard for ducks crossing.
The following are generally open during business hours, but many country businesses are closed on Sundays or open only by appointment. Check the website or call first. Don’t forget the cooler and ice packs.
Maplewood Acres (Lyseng Farm) maplewoodacres.ca
Maplewood is a long-time vendor at the Old Strathcona Market but it’s fun to go to the farm and buy fresh-picked veg.
Irving’s Farm Fresh Meats, Round Hill, irvingsfarmfresh.com
Nicola and Alan Irving are familiar faces to farmers’ market shoppers. See the Berkshire living outside and shop at their on-farm store.
Sacred Arts Café, 5006 50 Street Camrose, sacredarts.ca
Calgarians Lisa and Ravidass have opened a charming yoga studio and café in Camrose’s attractive historical district. The muffins and energy balls are worth the trip.
Jam Tarts, Main Street Killam
Popular community spot for breakfast, lunch and dinner, try the Rueben.
Wooden Spoon Café and Cake Shop, Main Street, Sedgewick
Open for lunch or coffee and dessert (closed weekends).
The Lougheed Hotel is not really a hotel so don’t plan an overnight. Don’t ask for spatzle either with any of your 60-plus schnitzel. Actually, it’s the same juicy house-made pork schnitzel with over 60 different toppings, the best seller being the Jägerschnitzel with mushroom and bacon sauce. Or, go old school and order the classic Wienerschnitzel, unadorned schnitzel served with lemon.
Ribstone Creek Brewery, Edgerton, ribstonecreekbrewery.ca
This craft brewer is making great beer in a little town near Wainright. Try the new seasonal Great White Combine, a hoppy wheat ale named after what prairie farmers call a crop-destroying hail storm.
Fireside Grill, 4903-4921 45 Street, Czar
The home of the exotic burger menu— snapping turtle, python etc, along with the more plebian choices of elk, bison, or beef, and their pulled pork is tasty.
Brower House Bed and Breakfast, Wainright, bbcanada.com
Keith and Aileen Brower are lovely hosts. Delicious light and fluffy cinnamon buns and honey from their Poplar Glen Apiary.
Jack’s Place, 218 10 Street, Wainwright
The mother and daughter team of Sonja and Ashley Morgan have created an adorable multi-use space, in an old department store with wonderful mid-century furniture from the old Wainright Hotel.
Honeypot Eatery & Pub, 823 2nd Avenue, Wainwright, thehoneypot.ca
Credible menu with excellent burgers— juicy, locally-made patty with high- quality toppings. The attractive secluded patio is a good break from the road.
1979 Taphouse & Grill, 1418 14 Avenue
A combined restaurant nightclub and sports bar run by a well-regarded family who opened their first pizza place in 1979—bar snacks, pizza, steak, salads and a chicken shish kebab. This place looks like it would be a lot of fun on a Saturday night.
Another reason to bring your cooler. They make the burgers for the Honey Pot.
Viking Meats, 5140 54 Street, Viking
Known for their jerky. They also process meats from nearby farms and wild game for local hunters.
The Bruce Hotel, 5140 54 Street, Bruce, brucehotel.ca
Wildly popular for their Friday and Saturday night buffets. They are quite strict: a reservation is a must. Check the website for when you can actually make it.
Very Beary Honey, Township Rd 504, Tofield, bearyberryhoney.com
The on-farm business makes twenty blends of flavoured honey, seven honey glazes and six vinaigrettes.