table of contents

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gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .05events in the radius . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .06tales from the road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .07spotted! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10beyond the obvious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11banff on a budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15‘G’ is for Grand forks ... and Girls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19the island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

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04

Roadtripper 04.07

editors’notes

daniel billinkoff WEST

I remember the first time I visited Banff National Park, I puked in my mouth. The prairies looklike a cheap ham sandwich - one flat piece of land on the bottom and soft blue sky on top with asliver of horizon crammed in between. At the one-hour point of the trip, we were dwarfed by jaggedsheets of rock. My father drove a 91’Taurus station wagon, and that whale of a car never felt sosmall. We were surrounded by endless landscape; aggressive peaks and soft lakes gathering themelted snow from above. Blues, greens and browns filled the windows of our silent car. When weentered the Rockies I fell in love with the idea of exploring; new sights, new sounds, new smells, newtastes…the mountains knocked the wind out of me. And then I puked a bit.

jennifer johnson NORTH

I’ve been a visitor to Gimli, Manitoba over many summers and having been to Brandon, Arborg and afew other places, I fancied myself quite the Manitoba aficionado. What I’ve figured out is that I had-n’t even scratched the surface of this province—in short, I haven’t been anywhere. There are places Ihave never heard of and things I have never seen, for example, the giant Mosquito at Komarno andHecla Village. I went everywhere, expecting nothing and came back every time realizing that Manitobahas a lot to offer, and that I’ve been missing out.

doug mcarthur EAST

My family has been cottaging in the Kenora/Lake of the Woods area for over 10 years, but not untilI set out to write this month’s feature article did I find out about all the fantastic things the areahas to offer, just under the surface. Water sports and partying on the beach are obvious choices forsummer fun, but who knew that the Kenora cemetery gave lamp-lit tours, or that spotting wildlife onthe Vernon Nature Trails would be so easy? Not me, folks. Not me. Now I’m off to talk to Kenora’sburgeoning ghost population.

janelle wookey SOUTH

Some people grow up making annual family trips to hot places like Mexico and Disney World. Somegrow up going to a family cottage on the lake. Some have memories of camp fires and canoe trips. Igrew up going to Grand Forks. What started as a family weekend getaway, has become a girl's week-end of good food and cheap American shopping. It's a cheap fix when those flights to Vegas don't agreewith your wallet; the perfect solution when a dinner at Brannigan's and a peruse of Polo Park mallwon't cut it. But hey, don't take my word for it. Stick your own Fork(s) in it.

03

Eventsin the

RadiusMusicSports

Expos & Conventions

Festivals Misc.

Thunder BayEva AvilaThunder Bay AuditoriumApril 6th, 8 pm

TorontoWorld Horror ConventionVarious venuesMarch 31st- April 1sthttp://www.whc2007.org/

TorontoRaptors vs. BullsAir Canada CentreApril 8th, 6:00pm

MadisonWisconsin Film FestivalApril 12th- 15thwww.wifilmfest.org

Grand ForksLarry the Cable GuyAlerus CenterApril 16th, 7:30pm

FargoEric ClaptonFargodomeApril 30th, 7:30 pm

EdmontonSnow PatrolShaw CentreApril 10th, 7pm

MinneapolisTwins vs. YankeesMetrodomeApril 9,10,11th

CalgaryFlames vs. OilersSaddledomeApril 7th, 8:00pm

Grand Forks25th Prime Steel Car ShowAlerus CenterApril 14th-15th www.aleruscenter.com

MinneapolisBob Dylan: American Journey expoThe Weisman Art MuseumEnds April 29th www.weisman.umn.edu

CalgaryNorth American OUTgames:Gay and Lesbian Festival April 2nd- 8th www.calgary2007.com

TorontoDesign & Technology FestivalApril 21st- 24thwww.fitc.ca

CalgaryAn evening with Al GoreJack Singer Concert HallApril 23rd, 7:00pm

Thunder BayBill Cosby T.Bay AuditoriumApril 29th, 8:00pm

WPG

What’s happening in April...

06

gearRoadtripper 04.07

the latest in road tripping tech

For those of you who can’twait to show your buddiesthe new Hold Steady album,or your perfectly craftedplaylist a la High Fidelitymixtape philosophy, theiTrip auto is a great way tohook your iPod up to yourcar stereo without the has-sle of figuring out auxiliaryinput or screwing aroundwith those unreliable tapeconverters. The iTrip autoalso charges your iPodwhile it serves up FM sig-nals to virtually any carstereo.

$89.99 www.griffin.com

GRIFFIN iTrip auto>

If your friends can’tstand the sound of As ILay Dying leaking outof your headphones, givethe Shure E500’s a try.They’ve got noise can-celling technology thatessentially funnels all ofthe sound directly ontoyour eardrum with pin-drop precision andsound reproduction soaccurate, you could useMariah Carey’s latestalbum as a dog whistle.These reasonably pricedand stylish earbuds area welcome alternativeto the drab factory setthat come with mostMP3 players.

$39.99 www.shure.com

Shure E500 earbuds>

GPS technology has beenaround for a while, andGarmin’s units typicallystand out above the rest.The nuvi 680 is no excep-tion, and the inclusion of afull-colour TFT monitor,talking directions, and USBport to download maps ofpractically every urban areain North America make thisunit a roadtripping marvel.

$299, www.garmin.com

GARMIN nuvi 680

>

Leatherman is to the Swiss Armywhat Arnold Schwarzenegger isto Dr. Phil. For those of you whoneed a multitool that is ready forkicking ass and taking names,the Charge TTi has you covered.Titanium handles and a stainlesssteel clip-point knife give it anadded boost of durability. TheTTi’s sixteen tools packed intosuch a small package ensureyou’ll never be stranded with noway to cut your sandwich in half,or cut down a small tree.

$159.00 www.leatherman.com

LEATHERMAN Charge TTi

>

05

Beyond theObvious

Kenora and the Lake ofthe Woods are a hotbedof summer tourism,but what is the regularvisitor missing? We setout to show you the bestthings in Kenora younever knew existed.B Y D O U G M C A R T H U R

Rae and Jerry’s in Winnipeg). If you’relooking for a great afternoon snack, headdown to Ye Olde Chip Truck on the cornerof Second Street and Chipman Street for asummer favourite - some of the world’sbest salt-and-vinegar drenched frenchfries. Take your starch-and-salt-ladencocktail of tastiness for a walk over theHarbourfront foot bridge for a great viewof the lake and the MS Kenora. All those

carbs and that bit of exercise making youthirsty? Jon Peters, a local resident ofKenora for the past six years, has theanswer.

Peters says the place to be in Kenora isHaps on The Harbourfront. “After a hardday my friends and I always enjoy a coldone at Haps. When it gets really rockin’ inthe summertime, the tiny dance floor canget pretty crowded, and patio space is at apremium. My advice: come early, anddon’t be claustrophobic,” says Peters.

If your tastes lean towards the occult, thenKenora has just the thing for you – a guid-ed tour of the one and only KenoraCemetery. For a mere five dollars, ceme-tery tour guide Barb Manson will take youon a chilling lamp-lit walk throughKenora’s rigor mortis hotel, complete withghost stories and legends of late Kenoranotables.

The city of Kenora offers many things, butthe real attraction of the area, of course, isthe Lake of the Woods. If you’re nautical-ly inclined, renting a boat is the best way toget out on the lake and have some fun. Ifyou’re not, visit the tourism informationoffice on the Harbourfront and ask themwhere you can hire a water taxi for the day.Make sure you check the rates and theextra costs, such as the price of gas, beforeyou head out, and keep in mind that theOntario Provincial Police are usually out infull force on the weekends, cracking downon drinking and boating. It’s illegal tohave open liquor on a boat, just the same

in port, starboard, and the all-importantboom before you hit the open waves. Theclub also has two outdoor tennis courts,and is the host of the Yacht Club Dance, theswankiest and most formal outing of thesummer, held on the August long weekend.

If nature is the thing for you, there is noshortage of it around Lake of the Woods.MyKenora.com nature columnist Phil

Burke says the Vernon Nature Trails are agreat place for novice and expert naturespotters and hikers to get a taste of thearea’s wildlife.

“It’s not too far off the beaten path, justdown McKenzie Portage Road, 10 minuteswest of downtown Kenora. The trails thereare great – well worn in and easy to hikefor any skill level. I’ve spotted fox, blackbears, raccoons, and hundreds of differentkinds of birds down there. And the out-looks on the marshes are great spots to seesome of the water life – I often see beaverpop their heads out of the water or blueheron perch across the shore. Just remem-ber to bring your camera and your binocu-lars,” says Burke.

as it is for a car, and there can be somehefty fines if you get caught.

Once you’ve got the transportation undercontrol, the lake is yours to explore. Thereare guided tours of ancient rock paintings,a multitude of beaches, and a host of watersports to try.

Declan McGarry, who summers at his fam-ily cottage on Coney Island, says a visit to

Scotty’s Beach is an essential part of aLake of the Woods boat trip with friends.

“Scotty’s Beach is always a good time.It’s a little further away than ConeyBeach, so you avoid the excess traffic, andit’s a beautiful beach. I remember onenight, we went down to Scotty’s and wetook hot dogs and built a big bonfire. Wehad a boat with floodlights, so we anchoredit just off the beach, and turned the flood-lights on. It was pitch black except for thebig floodlights and everyone loved it. Wepartied there all night listening to theboat’s stereo and playing bocce ball,” saysMcGarry. “We had awesome food anddrinks, and we did a little skinny-dippinglater.That was a great night.”

McGarry is also a member of the RoyalLake of the Woods Yacht Club. TheRLWYC offers sailing lessons all summerand allows drop-ins, which means if you’vegot some sailing skills already you can takea sailboat out on the water for a day. If notthe instructors can give you a crash course

THE ROYAL LAKE OF THE WOODS YACHT CLUB CAN GIVE YOU A CRASH COURSEIN PORT, STARBOARD, AND THE ALL-IMPORTANT BOOM.

McArthur | Beyond the Obvious

Hap’s on the Harbourfront

14

Roadtripper 04.07

Kenora and the Lake of the Woods areaattracts thousands of visitors every year toswim, fish, and party themselves silly. Butwhat lies beyond the obvious in this land oflures, this bombardment of beaches, thishome of Hap’s? Kenora’s hidden attrac-tions prove that what lies under the surfaceentices the senses, excites the intellect, andsatiates even the most demanding roadtripper’s need for adventure.

A typical drive through Kenora’s down-

town area gives a good lay of the land, andprovides an opportunity to see what bigattractions the small town has to offer. Asyou come into the Kenora area fromHighway 17A, Husky the Muskie, Kenora’s

40 foot tall fish statue, makes for a goodphoto opportunity. It also makes for agood roadside vantage point for Kenora’sHarbourfront, home to Harbourfest.Harbourfest is the summer’s largest out-door festival, which takes place on theAugust long weekend. The Harbourfest“big tent” is also used for several otheroutdoor concerts and events throughoutthe summer, including the Kenora BassInternational (August’s other big event inKenora).

The heart of downtown Kenora offers avariety of dining options, from The Plazaon Main Street (Kenora’s best Greek cui-sine) to the Kenwood Steak House onChipman Street (with fare comparable to

THE KENWOOD STEAK HOUSE ON CHIPMANSTREET OFFERS FARE COMPARABLE TO RAE ANDJERRY’S IN WINNIPEG.

Vernon Nature Trails

13

Banffon aBudget

D A N I E L B I L L I N K O F F

The mountains will amaze you.Thewildlife will astound you.The prices will destroy you.This is the localsguide to the town of Banff; live cheap,have fun.

probably a bar you would sneer at inyour hometown, but for some reason,Aurora is still a great time. There arethree pool tables, usually deals onJager and enough pretty faces pass-ing by to hurt your neck. If you losttrack of a dance partner or shooterpal from early in the night, this is theplace to catch up.

Depending on how much you spendon booze, there is a huge range in din-ing to choose from. Aardvark Pizzaand Sub is open late (4 am late) andoffers pizza by the slice, subs, andmany other greasy choices for cheap.The later it is, the busier it is, but youare guaranteed to make a few intoxi-cated friends in line.

A great place for an affordable rangeof meals is the Elk and Oarsman.The chorizo/steak/bacon burger isfantastically meaty and comes withtwo quality sides. The food is

delicious and very affordable ($10-$15) and the side dish choices,including chili and yam fries, are alot better than they need to be.

Banff is known for its fantastic shop-ping and designer boutiques that willmake you feel uncomfortable andlook out of place. Instead, keep an

eye out for garage-sale flyers postedaround town. A good portion of thepopulation is transient and whenpeople move they sell all of theirstuff for cheap, real cheap. I pur-chased a Playstation 2 package,DVD player, skateboard helmet, fold-able shovel, record player, cande-labra, Kokanee umbrella and a fiber-optic flower lamp for under $65.I couldn’t fit the congas in my car.

If legitimate shopping is more yourstyle, Rude Boys and sister storeRude Girls have the best selection of

Billinkoff | BanffonaBudget

BANFF IS KNOWN FOR ITS FANTASTIC SHOPPINGAND DESIGNER BOUTIQUES THAT WILL MAKE YOUFEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AND LOOK OUT OF PLACE.

Aurora Nightclub

Banff, Alberta, Canada Located in Banff NationalPark

Winnipeg Elevation: 238 m.Banff Elevation: 1383 m.

1306 km. from Winnipeg

Take the Trans-CanadaHighway West 14 hours.

It is one hour past Calgary.

Stopover:

Swift Current, Saskatchewan,Canada

757 km. from Winnipeg

Places to stay

Pondarosa Campground -(306) 773-5000

Full campsite

Located 1/4 Mile East ofSwift Current on Hwy. 1

Travelodge - 306-773-3101

605 North Service Road East

Located on the side of Hwy. 1

skate and snow apparel and equipment. You will see Rude Boysstickers everywhere; it is the legitskate shop in Banff. The prices arereasonable, (lowest prices after theboarding season ends), but do notexpect to find better deals than inyour hometown - you are in Banffafter all.

18

The town of Banff is the perfectgetaway. Fresh air, mountains, bars,people; it has it all. World-classshopping, first-class hotels and five-diamond cuisine have elevated thetiny mountain town to a worldwidevacation hotspot.

Banff is also breathtakingly expen-sive, the town thrives on tourism andhigh prices to stay alive. This doesnot mean, however, that it is impossi-ble to vacation in Banff cheaply.

One of the first lodges you will seewhen entering the town is theSameSun hostel. It is located rightdowntown and offers dorm style liv-ing for very cheap. The damage willbe a measly $33 a night (a hostelcard knocks two bucks off), and ifyou stay a full week it will only costyou $190. The space may be tight,but nothing is wrong with making afew friends and picking up a bit ofAustralian slang from fellow travelers.

“I couldn’t believe all of the crazyaccents when I got here. I loveAussies,” says Alex Glazerman,

tourists take over town,” advisesKelly Wilson, Banff resident of threeyears. “We never pay cover. A $5cover is the same as three drinks. Ifa bar asks for cover, just head downthe street to the one that doesn’t.”

Drink prices range from dirt cheap tooutrageous (avoid the Fairmont’sRundle Lounge). The key is knowingwhich bar on which night has thegoods.

Melissa’s competes for the town’scheapest drinks: $1.75 highballs onTuesdays. The jukebox is unusuallywell stocked with oldies and new-rockers as well. It is a bare-bonesbar with plenty of interesting people,quick bartenders, and $20 will getyou 10 drinks including tips.

Enjoy sitting? Banff’s RoyalCanadian Legion Colonel MooreBranch # 26 is the place to be.Every Thursday is bingo night, one ofBanff’s best kept secrets. There areold ladies selling tuna sandwiches($2), sausages for sale at the bar($3), $9 pitchers of beer (wow!),plus the excitement of bingo. $20will get you two sliding bingo cards(good for eight games), two papercards to try for the $1000 jackpot(which my buddy won his first night),one bingo dabber, one pitcher of beer,one sausage and one meat draw tick-et to draw for an assortment of rawmeat. Bingo-Thursday at the legionwill keep you drinking, eating andgambling all night long, plus you mayactually turn a profit.

Although most locals hate it, and youprobably will make fun of it, Aurorais the essential finish-off-the-night-in-style bar. The décor is classy, thebartenders are beautiful and thedrinks aren’t cheap, but at 1 am. thisis where the people will be. The clubplays generic dance hits and this is

former Banff resident, now living inAustralia. She warns: “Banff is likea gateway to the world. Start here,and you’ll keep traveling. That’s howit goes.”

Continuing down the road, a secondcheap accommodations choice is theBanff YWCA. A room for two willcost $74, including a private wash-room, which is well below the townaverage. The back door leadsstraight to a walking path along theBow River, and the view through thetiny windows will make you forgetabout the concrete walls and smallbeds.

When in Banff, live like the locals.Avoid tourists, keep an eye out forwildlife, bring condoms, and you canparty in Banff on a budget. Justmake sure to arrive on a weekday.

“A lot of the bars only charge coveron the weekends. That’s when the

DRINK PRICES RANGE FROM DIRT CHEAP TO OUTRAGEOUS,THE KEY IS KNOWING WHICH BARON WHICH NIGHT HAS THE GOODS.

Remember the view

Roadtripper 04.07

17

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