Intro Manitoba .Sask lAlberta .BC North.BC South

Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway Introduction Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta BC Summary Man- Sask Winnipeg Portage Minnedosa Neepawa Russell Yorkton Saskatoon Battlefords, Lloydminster Alberta-BC Vegreville Elk Island Edmonton Jasper, Kamloops Prince George, Prince Rupert Islands

Come out O Little Moccasins, and frolic on the snow! Come out O tiny beaded feet, and twinkle in the light! I'll play the old Red River reel, you used to love it so: Awake, O Little Moccasins, and dance for me tonight! Robert W. Service       I am the Yellowhead ... My vast domain spans half of Canada, the world's second largest nation and among its friendliest. Crossing me is a journey into history, with Indian encampments older than Egypt's great pyramids, mighty rivers, pristine lakes, majestic mountains, forested parklands, ancient shrines and battle sites. Ethnic dances and colourful pageants salute every facet of Canada's heritage - and if you love the magic of serendipity, a new surprise awaits around every bend. Should you find some parts of the country a little behind the times &endash; then, as a Saskatchewan tourism poster proudly proclaims, "Count yourself lucky - you've discovered the true Canada." From Prairie Skies to Haida Gwaii. They call me Canada's "Park to Park Highway" for good reason -- my route encompasses five national parks, ninety provincial parks and three national historic sites. To begin my Yellowhead journey, imagine your vehicle is a time capsule, cruising down a broad ribbon of Canadiana, in the wake of nomadic hunters, voyageurs, fur traders, missionaries, Mounties, sodbusters, fortune-seekers, engineers and railroad builders. Before we dim the lights and start the movie, you're curious to know how the name Yellowhead was derived -- right? In the 1870s, a roving Metis guide, dubbed Tete Jaune for his golden-tinged locks, gave title to a mountain pass near Jasper House, and gained instant immortality. Getting Started. Do you have a copy of my Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway road map? Stretch it out on the table and feast yur eyes. My eastern terminus is Winnipeg, at the foot two huge lakes , where three historic rivers meet. From here I follow the Old Northwest Trail for over 2,600 km to Edmonton, and beyond to Jasper National Park, Prince Rupert and the misty Haida Gwaii. My southern route leads to Hope, the Fraser Valley and Port of Vancouver. Thanks to my broad shoulders, gentle mountain grades and new divided four lane sections I am Western Canada's preferred choice. I appeal to romantic, adventurous souls with a taste for nature's finest. So, get out the fishing rod, thermos jug and picnic basket! This great drive might easily be called the Great Canadian Taste Tour. Why?-- I parallel the North Saskatchewan, Athabaska, Fraser and Thompson Rivers, crossing nameless streams, skirting dozens of lakes. My route enters a land of cattle ranches, bountiful orchards, berry fields and friendly communities with their farmers markets , roadside stands and unique dining spots. Visitors can dine on Winnipeg goldeye or rainbow trout, Pacific salmon, Alaska king crab, oysters, mussels and clams, prairie chicken, moose steak, buffalo burgers, award-winning Alberta beef and BC wines. Add the world's finest cereal grains and 1001 varieties of ethnic fare -- how near to heaven can you get? And if you like to sing along during auto trips, there's always a cinemascopic backdrop to enhance your performance - wide prairie skies, tumbling tumbleweed, lonely moose pastures, rippling waterfalls and pristine mountain lakes. Can't you hear Rose Marie's "Indian Love Call" echoing in the distance? A Picture Perfect Drive. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle compared Canada to an expanding flower; "Wherever you look, you see some fresh petal unfolding." Embracing the best of four provinces, I am a bonanza for photographers, be they shutter bugs or accomplished professionals. For you who cherish folklore and anecdotes of Canadian history, a trip along my ribbon of asphalt is a veritable feast. Each native village or ethnic community, national park and historic site tells its own story, showcasing an event or personality who left a mark on the mosaic of Canada. With so many amazing photo opportunities, from wildlife, waterfowl and the glories of nature, to cultural treasure, big city activities or small town celebrations -- you could easily add a day or two to your travel agenda. Lucky you! The Long and Short of it. My gateways to adventure on the Trans Canada Yellowhead Highway include great cities, spacious parklands and dozens of towns, villages and hamlets. Each has created such a broad range of visitor attractions, we can list only a few, let alone describe them fully in this edition. Not to worry &endash; thanks to modern technology our magazine lists web sites, that expand on each community's story with vast reservoirs of historical data and travel topics. Our loyal advertisers provide even more timely information and hot links to save you money and point your way to value. And if that's not enough, simply call the 1-800- numbers provided in the sections provided by each of the four provinces.   Now get ready to Yellowhead It … in Magnificent Manitoba.