Rob-n-Hild, oot and aboot eh? Sorry - 2022

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Regina (Max elevation 591 m - 40 m above the lake)

Hild had some work this morning (and we had some laundry to do) so it was not until lunchtime that we went out and explored Regina. We had read in Norah's guide book that the park around Wascana Lake is a special part of the city, so we drove down there and - after a bit of searching - found a picnic table to do our usual lunch (see Day 6, 8, 9.11 etc.).

After we packed up the Trangia and finished our tea, we then walked onto the path around the lake, which took a long time as there was so much to stop and look at. There were plenty of geese and also some ducks (with ducklings), quite a few people (in a range of shapes and sizes - walking, running,cycling and on roller-blades) and the usual selection of informative signs - which we were nerdy enough to read!

In this case, the signs gave the history of Regina as the story of lake Wascana - from a meandering river through various dams and dredgings to one of the largest urban parks in North America! When Regina was first chosen as capital of the North West Territories (as it was in 1880 or so) the then Prime Minister suggested that with a bit more water, a few more trees and some hills, it might actually make a town! In the end, all of these were provided when the river was first dammed (creating the lake and providing a regular supply of water), then the park was created by planting trees around it and - finally - in a series of dredging operations every 50 years or so - a couple of hills were created with the mud dredged up!

Some quotes:

“If you had a little more wood, and a little more water, and here and there a hill, I think the prospect would be improved.” Sir John A. Macdonald, 1886

“In the Dirty Thirties when times were tough
men dug out the lake bed – relief work was rough
Under the hot summer sun with wagon and spade
- that’s how Willow and Spruce Islands were made.

Over two thousand men toiled down in the pit
from dawn until dusk they showed their true grit
When the drought and depression finally passed,
they had created a legacy to last."

from the book The Lake in the Middle of Town by Neil Sawatzky.

“... with about enough water in the miserable little creed to wash a sheep...” Manitoba Free Press.

So now there is a park with lots of space for recreation (although a few more picnic tables would not go amiss) and a lake with lots of waterbirds and (presumably) fish and all kinds of activities. One of the signs talked about making big plans because they inspire people - I think that maybe that worked in Regina, even though I am sure the politicians at the time were given plenty of grief for trying to do it.

“Make no little plans; they have no magic to stir men’s blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die but long after we are gone will be a living thing”. Burham.

We caught a nice view of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building through the falling water feature on Pine Island.

Along our path we even found a time capsule by the Land Surveyors Association. The capsule is to be opened in 2067.

We also found a very colourful Kwakiutl totem pole commemorating the centennial of the union 1871 through 1971. There was also a monument for the Ukranian Famine-Genocide (Holodomor) 1932-1933.

At the Saskatchewan Legislative Building we found a nice statue of Queen Elizabeth II riding her horse Burmese. Burmese was born and raised in Fort Walsh where we had just been. How fun is that?! She rode Burmese from 1969 until 1987.

We spotted a monument for Walter Scott, a former Premier, who was instrumental in so many changes in Saskatchewan including beginning construction of the Legislature Building.

At the western most point we turned back towards Mary Jane. Albert Memorial Bridge was designed Egyption-style to celebrate the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922.

We watched people launch their canoes at the Wascana Lake Centre. No one were using the dragon boats but they look fun even while tied up!

After the walk around the lake, we went up to one of the "hills" that was created with the mud dredged up form the lake and measured the height difference - a whole 40 meters! Still, it is apparently good for tobogganing in the winter.

Since we still had some time before dinner, we decided that Mary Jane deserved some TLC and found a car wash. There was a brush and we tried to get the dead bugs off her nose first and then she got the works. Afterwards, there were still a couple of bugs sticking on there, but she looked much cleaner and happier. There will be a more thorough wash when we get home, but this has made a good start!

May/June 2022

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