Spotlight

LEARN ATHABASCA’S WILD HISTORY, THEN LIVE IT

#NEAB #VISITATHABASCA

From the river rats of old to today’s adventure trails, Athabasca is home to all kinds of fun. Add in some history, festivals and lake time for a memorable trip north! Read more about it here!

5 Free Things to Do Around the Athabasca Region!

#1 MUSKEG CREEK TRAILS

This hidden gem isn’t always noticeable if you’re driving by but it is a quiet getaway in the middle of town that can transport you to the boreal forest and the soothing effects of nature.

Depending on the time of year you can enjoy walking, geocaching, biking, skiing, snowshoeing or bird watching. Into getting your sweat on? Try the Stairs for a great workout! As always use at your own risk and within your ability.

#2 RIVERFRONT PARK

Maybe you grabbed lunch at Paddymelons or one of the local food trucks and are looking for a serene place to eat while watching the water flow by.

With playgrounds, picnic tables, fitness park, spray park and skateboard park there’s something for everyone downtown. There’s also a boat launch and river front stage.

You can fish on shore with valid fishing licenses and within the fishing season.

#3 LANDING TRAIL

Connecting to the River Front Park is a trail system that can take you all the way to Fort Saskatchewan. As part of the Transcanada Trail head towards the trailhead near the Car Wash Building (Big Blue Metal).

It follows the Tawatinaw River and offers stunning views. You’ll feel again as though you’re in the far off
wilderness.

Snowshoe, walk or bike. Be aware some sections are deep sand and more suited for Fat Tire Bikes.

#4 HAVE WATERCRAFT? WILL PADDLE?

Check out www.paddlingmaps.com for local paddle resources and mapping of where to paddle.

We are surrounded by a plethora of lakes and of course The Athabasca River flowing through town.

Rent a board www.paddleurwayrentals.com or find a course to take if you’re wanting more instruction. www.paddleathabasca.com

#5 RIVERSIDE PARK (RICHMOND PARK)

You and me going fishing in the dark (Richmond Park Fishing, Sept 2020)

Looking for a stunning campground for a wiener roast or day trip? 25 minutes North of Atown you will find this remarkably well run campground looked after by volunteers.

5 FUN Things to Do THIS FALL IN THE Athabasca Region!

#1 TRY OUT GEOCACHING!

Explore some of the beautiful trails and sights that the Athabasca Region has to offer by searching for some geocaches! There are multiple caches around Athabasca and Boyle for you to find with the family. Check out the map here for more information: https://www.geocaching.com/play/search

How many are you able to locate?

#2 TAKE A HIKE

Get out and explore some of the beautiful trails that the region has to offer. The Muskeg Creek Trails are located right in the Town of Athabasca and have various distances mapped out. A popular spot for bird watchers, nature lovers and curious adventurers alike, you can’t go wrong with even a short loop on the trails. If you are feeling like making a day of it, pack a lunch and stop at one of the view points or picnic shelters! Find more information and a trail map here: https://www.visitathabasca.ca/amenities/great-outdoors/trails/

#3 CATCH OF THE DAY

Pack up your tackle (or even find some new stuff at Cheap Seats Sports!) and head out to one of the many lakes in the region. Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean the lakes aren’t ready to be enjoyed! You may even have a lake to yourself on one of our beautiful fall days. Some local favorites: Chain Lakes, Amisk Lake, Skeleton Lake, Baptiste Lake, and Long Lake.

#4 PADDLE AWAY!

Bring out your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, or rent one from Paddle Ur Way Rentals (https://www.paddleurwayrentals.com/) here in Athabasca and get out of the water! See the fall colours reflecting at you and enjoy the serenity and peacefulness that the lake has to offer.

#5 DO SOME EARLY CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!

Come check out our wonderful local shops and start your Christmas shopping a little early (we won’t judge if you are shopping for yourself!)! The Athabasca Region boasts an amazing small business community with lots of unique treasures for you. Check out this list for some hidden gems: https://www.visitathabasca.ca/fun-stuff/shopping/

BONUS SATURDAY SUGGESTION!

Grab a coffee and head to the Athabasca Farmers Market (on every second Saturday in the fall at the Athabasca Multiplex). Next market is October 9th from 10am to 2pm! Grab a few goodies and walk over to the Athabasca University grounds to take in the fall colours!

Local Maker Spotlight!

Inspiration Chocolates

 780-213-0418

We have so many amazing local makers in the region and have decided it is time to start sharing their stories.

Josie Hladki with Inspiration Chocolates seemed like a great person to start with as Inspiration Chocolates was recently selected to be featured in the Made in Alberta Xperience Boxes at the Economic Developers Alberta Xperience 2021 Conference. The chocolates were included in hundreds of boxes that were shipped to virtual conference attendees across the country.

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We recently caught up with Josie to find out a little more about her business and her “inspiration”.

What inspired you to pursue this venture in chocolate making?

I was at a crossroads career wise and was feeling very frustrated. I have an engineering geology background, but we had recently relocated to Athabasca and I could not find work. I then pursued a career in financial services but it still did not feel like the best fit. I was feeling all of this frustration and trying to figure out my next steps. I was watching TV one day and a program came on where a guy was making chocolates. It was an “Aha!” moment for me! It all seemed so clear – I would pursue a career in chocolate making! I took a couple of courses at NAIT and even did them twice in case I had missed anything the first time around. As more courses became available, I signed up for those too. This was my first steps into chocolate making.

How has business evolved since you first started Inspiration Chocolates?

I opened my shop in Athabasca in early 2008. At the time, boutique shopping was new to Athabasca and no one was really ready for it or for high-end chocolate. Considering my timing was really off with the market crash in 2008, I did quite well until I closed the store in December of 2010. The local business community has evolved considerably since then. There is a strong shop local mentality and people love knowing where their products are made. Food has also become an art form. Social media has also helped to grow my business considerably – it is easy to get the information out to the public. People are also more interested in the high-end locally made products. The newspaper wrote a couple articles when I won awards and I have had orders placed from people seeing those articles.

Using your business name, what words of inspiration would you give to young entrepreneurs?

Don’t give up! So many times I was close to giving up. It is not easy and can be very frustrating at times. Be passionate about what you do and be inspired by your own success; learn from your mistakes, and use them to grow. To me, that is inspiring.

We so appreciate Josie taking the time to answer our questions, and hope you enjoyed our first Local Markers Spotlight. If you would like to purchase Inspiration Chocolates, you can find them at A Little Bit of Everything or can contact Josie directly at jhladki@mcsnet.ca or 780-213-0418.

If you have a local maker and/or business that you would like to see featured, please email ted@athabascacounty.com.