Some of the Trading Thoughts columns this year will describe vacation spots we have seen to encourage readers to explore this fantastic country.
The TV news said it was broadcasting from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
“We were there,’’ said my partner, “I wonder if they’re going to Bullock’s Bistro?’’
The incident reminded us of a great summer holiday we had 21 years ago.
We arrived in the Territories at Hay River after viewing the Alexandria waterfalls. Supper was the best wonton soup I’ve ever tasted.
Someone had asked us if The Zoo was still open, but warned us not to go in. We found The Zoo, an unsavoury-looking bar in a less-than-savoury part of town.
On the “road’’ to Yellowknife bison encircled the young calves as we drove by. The last 80 miles along Great Slave Lake were rugged with detours.
Our first evening in Yellowknife, we drove out to the island where we spotted a rundown log cabin with a Coke sign on the screen door. “Place must have gone broke,’’ I remarked.
A few days later we got directions to the famous Bullock’s Bistro. This eatery was located in the rundown cabin.
Bullock’s has names written all over the interior walls by visitors.
Our first meal there was a combo — whitefish, Arctic char and caribou medallions. Superb.
We dined on the deck watching float planes and the Snowbirds from 15 Wing practise.
It was for us the most expensive meal we had ever had — over $50. We remarked about the reaction if our parents knew the cost.
At night the sun was still bright at 1 a.m. By 2 a.m., you could just make out an image across the street.
An evening “boat ride” on Great Slave Lake was a must. The “boat’’ turned out to be a bunch of barrels linked with cable and covered by planking.
My partner, who is scared of water bodies, found a chair in the middle of the platform and sat on it, arms folded, teeth gritted.
Her anxiety level soared when we learned the lake was 1,000 feet deep.
A photo taken at 11 p.m. showed the bright sun still in the 11 o’clock position.
My partner thought the people living in houseboats were nuts, especially the one with a Saskatchewan flag.
Our stay involved a tour of the legislative building and seeing gifts from other provinces for a special occasion. Most gave artwork. Saskatchewan donated an armchair.
One day we visited the Village of Fort Resolution, saw no people and drove past the closed Pine Point lead zinc mine site. The only sign of the mine was a small plaque.
Intrigued by the story of the endangered whooping cranes, we drove into Wood Buffalo National Park toward Fort MacKay.
Warnings on the radio told us of the fire danger. About half an hour later, we saw smoke and flames ahead and turned back, just getting out of the park as it closed for safety.
The road back was a two-day drive through northern Alberta and Edmonton.
We’ve often talked about returning to the scenic spot with such friendly people.
Ron Walter can be reached at [email protected]
