CARLYLE - Nora Stewart, Don Stewart and Jack MacKenzie had a vision, a place for people to go and enjoy the great outdoors and get back to nature.
They wanted a place to serve as a learning centre in the Prairie regions.
The three fell in love with the Moose Mountains in the early 1970s, but after sending out 50 letters to local farmers to purchase a piece of land for their dream, only three responded and those responses were negative.
Taking a different approach, the three contacted seven landowners, and in the end Hugh and Mary Kippen sold them a piece of the land to build their dream.
Plans were drawn up and construction began through the dedication and hard work of the members for this non-profit organization.
Now over 40 years have passed and the Prairie Lore and Living Society’s dream for Saskairie.
It is located on three quarter sections of land west of Carlyle in the foothills of Moose Mountain Provincial Park. Saskairie boasts a cabin which will hold 28 people. It has a large kitchen and two wood-burning stoves for cooking and the cabin also has a wood-burning furnace to heat the entire cabin in the winter months.
The original cabin was built in the winter by Jack McKenzie and Tom Scarrow, and with the help of the White Bear First Nations and many volunteers. Later a small house was added for heated accommodations, and later a well was brought in for running water in a central location. Although it has water, it is best to bring potable water.
Over the years, the cabin has been repaired and the picnic area cleaned. Trails are cleaned annually of broken branches or trees while keeping it as natural as possible.
There is also a large pavilion to provide shelter that holds several picnic tables. The pavilion was built in hopes that people may want to use it for reunions, weddings, group camping and for annual trail rides.
This year they will host their ninth annual trail ride, which runs from July 7-9.
Horseback riders often come out to enjoy the trails that wind around and through the trees, along rivers and up hills. All a person hears is the sound the hooves made on the ground and the sounds of nature.
This trail ride allows for overnight camping, and the following morning riders will hit the trails. Over 30 riders have taken part in this ride in the past.
Once riders return to camp after a day in the saddle, a campfire will await them, and a hot meal is offered one of the three days of the ride. If a person does not ride, it is not a problem. They can sit around the fire until the riders return and just enjoy the day.
In the winter, the trails and cabin are open to many school groups for outdoor education and other winter activities, as well as private groups.
A donation box is available on site, with fees posted on the cook shack for ease of information.
Jack said many years ago, and it holds true today: “A place like Saskairie with its wilderness aspects of beauty, solitude and peace can only become more and more valuable in our fast-paced technological society.”
