b'JONATHAN VAN BILSENWe are fortunate to live in one of, if not the, greatest countries in the world. Many of us enjoy travelling, but I am curious how many people have explored Canada? The next year or so is certainly the best time to do this. With the pandemic still raging around the world, Canadians are rushing to be vaccinated, which will make it safer for us to explore areas, such as our own backyard. I have had the privilege of visiting many locales in this great country of ours and will share a few, which I enjoyed, and may not be that well known to everyone.THIS LAND WAS MADE FOR YOU AND MEStartingoutwest,as some of the bestshing I have ever done. I visited the zoo I spent a few days inand had a chuckle when I saw cows and sheep. Someone PrinceGeorgeandexplained to me bears and deer were quite common, but wasgreetedbyMr.farm animals were not, so they were in the local zoo. My PG,amassivepulpbucket list still has Churchill and the polar bears on it, and andpaperstatue,who knows, maybe next year.whichwelcomesvisi- Ontario, of course, has so much to offer, it is dif cult to tors to town. I do notknow where to begin. I rode the Polar Express to Moosonee suggestyoutravela few years ago, and then went on to Moose factory. The speci callytoPrincescenery is spectacular and two days was enough to see the George, but if you aresights (both towns have a population of 4,000 combined). in the area, stop in.The train ride from Cochrane is 6 hours (one way), but the I drove from Princedrive to Cochrane was interesting. I stopped at Timmins for You never know what you might seeGeorgeallthewaylunch, and Sudbury to explore Science North.in Jasper. to Kamloops. Stopping in places like Williams Lake, 100 Mile House and many other towns gave me a real appreciation for the interior of BC. Sure, Vancouver and Victoria are picturesque, but nothing beats the Okanogan Valley, with its spectacular scenery and peaceful lifestyle.Next, we will move further east. Give Banff and Lake Louise a miss and head to Jasper instead, you will not be disappointed. I remember white water rafting and exploring the Edith Cavell Glacier. If you have the time, a tram ride to the top of the mountain is worth the trek. Try to stay at the Jasper Park Lodge, where the Mule deer will greet you every morning.Saskatchewan is unique with its own charm and beauty. Many people think it isat prairie land, but I have driven northQuebec is pretty any time of the year.from Regina to North Battleford, or north from Saskatoon to Prince Albert, and saw the most spectacular northern lightQuebec is a country unto itself and Montral and Quebec show I have ever seen. The drive is surprisingly closer thanCity are worth exploring. For me, driving from Montral to you think; both are about 90 minutes from Saskatoon, andQubec was a great experience. I was able to stop at several four hours from Regina. real Quebecois restaurants and enjoyed a traditional break-In Manitoba, Iew from Winnipeg to Thompson, stoppingfast, consisting of pancakes, beans, sausages, lots of maple in Flin Flon and The Pas. Although I thought a week was a bitsyrup, and maple sugar for dessert.too long in Thompson, I did get a number of hikes in, as wellPlease turn to page 56FOCUS - JULY 202155'