Colin Powers is the morning show host for Magic 97.1 in Swift Current, part of Golden West. You can connect with him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

I have lived in southwest Saskatchewan for a long time and have taken many trips to Medicine Hat for weekend getaways and quick shopping trips. But last week, I took a two-day trip to southeastern Alberta with some help from #BucketlistAB, and I discovered there is so much more to this part of the province than I had ever thought.

My adventure started on March 19 in Brooks, a scenic one-hour drive west of Medicine Hat on the Trans-Canada Highway, and lunch at a place called The Steaming Cup in the city’s downtown. Not only was that the best name for a coffee shop that I had ever seen, but it was also a wonderful place to have a cup of locally roasted coffee and a great meal.

After lunch, I took a half-hour drive north to Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deep in the heart of Alberta’s badlands on the Red Deer River, Dinosaur Provincial Park is home to the most comprehensive collection of dinosaur fossils in the world. Paleontologists around the world have discovered skeletons from over 40 dinosaur species here over the last century, and more continue to make new discoveries every year. Visitors to the park can make discoveries of their own with guided and self-guided driving and hiking tours, and the park offers recreational opportunities, including year-round camping.

Donna from Alberta Parks took me on a tour through the park’s interpretive centre, which displays a mix of authentic fossil specimens and replica skeletons, and then I took drive through the park to see the unique rock formations in the badlands up close, and glimpses of actual fossil discovery sites.

Brooks is the perfect place to start your own adventure in Dinosaur Provincial Park and for checking out many of the other things to see and do in and around this vibrant community.

The next day was a beautiful day to spend in Medicine Hat and celebrate the end of a long, cold winter with the first day of spring. My day started downtown at the Madhatter Coffee Roastery, where I fueled up for the day with two shots of espresso, whose beans were not only roasted locally, but right on site! The owner, Katrina, told me that sometimes when they’re roasting, the aroma covers almost the entire downtown core, no doubt attracting people to this terrific place! Madhatter is also part of Medicine Hat’s Progressive Coffee Tour, which takes you on a journey through three unique, independent coffee shops in Medicine Hat's downtown.

 

My next stop was Medalta in the Historic Clay District, where Jess, Alice and Lisa from Medalta and Abby from Tourism Medicine Hat joined me as I checked out the museum and worked on my own replica of Medalta’s 1/16 crock with dry clay. Clay, ceramics and pottery production were among Medicine Hat’s biggest non-agricultural economic contributors in the early 20th century, and this restored facility gives visitors a glimpse of how the Medalta Potteries factory looked while it was in operation, from the machines on the factory floor to the beehive kilns. There is also a vast collection of pottery items made by Medalta and Medicine Hat’s other ceramics factories, and new pieces made by Medalta’s artists in residence. Medalta is also a community hub in Medicine Hat with weddings, farmer’s markets and live performances taking place through the year.

The Saamis Tepee at Medicine Hat’s Visitor Centre is a world-famous landmark in the community and the starting point for a vast network of trails winding through parks, coulees and the South Saskatchewan River valley. Visitors can walk or bike on these trails, but if you don’t have a bike, you can borrow one from the Visitor Centre for free! Dean from the 670 Collective Mountain Bike Club got me on a bike and we rode on the trails through the valley back into downtown. We then stopped at The Hat’s Olive Tap, where you can sample a wide variety of olive oils and balsamic vinegars and enjoy a delicious bistro-style lunch. After lunch, I returned to the Saamis Tepee to finish off my adventure.

Thanks to Seekers, Alberta Parks, Tourism Medicine Hat and the great new friends I met along the way for a wonderful time, and for helping me realize that there is so much more to Medicine Hat and southeastern Alberta than I had ever imagined!

Hopefully, if you’re reading this, you’re inspired to plan your own little adventure, and we’re giving you a chance to win a getaway to Medicine Hat to try out the same things I did, including one night’s hotel stay and $500 spending money! Stay tuned to Mix 103.9 for more details and your chance to win!