[ - p 1 - p 2 - p 3 - p - 4 - p 5 - p 6 -]

Elk Island National Park is about an hours drive from Edmonton and is a pleasant respite before or after experiencing the rush and confusion of the big city. There is a comfortable campsite in the park beside a lake. A number of trails are located in the park all of which may be accessed from the road which enters the park. They vary in length from a quick half hour to a good days outing. The trails are relatively flat, hey this is the prairies, but there is lots of vegetation and trees, even the odd lake. What makes these hikes unusual is the presence of buffalo, lots of them. Some of them even feel they have some prior rights to the trails as you can see from the picture. I was taking a stroll after supper along this trail by Elk Island Lake when I came upon this creature. We looked at each other and some mental negotiation took place. He respectfully moved over to one side and I went by on the other side. These are huge animals and while not in the fierceness category of a grizzly have been known to do some damage. After I had passed he resumed his position guarding the trail!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Executive:
President and newsletter editor – Lawrence Redfern 250-365 – 5350 lsredfern@shaw.ca
Vice-President – Shannon Marshall
Past President – John Mansbridge
Secretary – Ginny Brownlie
Trails Maintenance Coordinator – Peter Wood
Membership Coordinator – Rick Johnson
Directors at Large – Ken Brownlie, Gordon Hollingshead
Treasurer – Sheena Stienstra
Our website is taken care of by Dave Sharp.
Please contact Lawrence with any comments, questions, suggestions, etc.

Meetings scheduled:
General Meeting – November 18th , 7pm Columbia Room, Rec. Complex
Annual General Meeting – February 24th, 2009, Recreation Complex

‘’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’’

A volunteer work day is being planned for the Waldie Island Trail. Utilizing funds provided by the RDCK volunteers are needed to replace boardwalk boards, help level boardwalks, apply a non-slippery boardwalk surfacing material, install stairs/ramp, install bearproof garbage can, and to complete general trail maintenance work. Please contact Lawrence if you may be able to help. Many hands make light work.

LSREDFERN@SHAW.CA or 250-365-5350 Thank you!

[ - p 1 - p 2 - p 3 - p - 4 - p 5 - p 6 -]