There’s an amazing, beautiful, and mystical place tucked away in the hills of southern Saskatchewan. Maybe a kilometre or two north of the Canada / U.S. border. It lies so close to Montana, in fact, one could almost throw a stone across the way. This magical place was once known as the Killdeer Badlands, but is now called the East Block of the Grasslands National Park. Forgive me Parks Canada ... I still call it the Killdeer Badlands. The ‘locals’ do also! Most of the time.
It’s nestled quietly in the middle of the Wood Mountain Uplands which stretch nearly 200 km. from east to west along the 49th Parallel. The Uplands range from the Big Muddy Badlands in the East, to the Frenchman River Valley in the West - slightly to the east of the Cypress Hills. The Wood Mountain Uplands are very unique since they are only one of four areas in all of North America untouched by glaciation. This area is characterized by deep coulees, canyons, and mammoth hills.
Rising higher than the ice fields of the last glacial period, their maximum elevation is slightly over 1,000 meters. The semi-arid rangeland of the Grasslands National Park is the only national park in Canada representing the mixed-grass prairie ecosystem. Lush green grasses in the spring, vibrant wildflowers, and wide open spaces abound here.
Incidentally, I was born and raised a proud Canadian - on a farm in southern Saskatchewan - but, 小蓝视频 a radio and television announcer by profession, have lived all over western North America, including Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. These places are all beautiful in their own unique way, and I dearly love every place I have lived, but I must say - there is no place on earth more special than the East Block of the Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan. The Grand Canyon of Arizona is no more beautiful than here.
The East Block is special on so many different levels. And when you fly over it, its beauty becomes obvious. There are many reasons why I love this place. Its beauty is only one. Saskatchewan is truly vast and breathtaking. About the size of France and Germany combined. That’s how vast it really is. It’s also magnificent, colourful, exciting, and inviting. The Killdeer Badlands, on the other hand, defy description. In order to see the beauty that prevails here, one must leave the confines of the Trans Canada Highway and venture out onto the backroads of Saskatchewan. Trust me. It’s a trip well worth the taking.
Just to be clear. I love the remoteness of the Killdeer Badlands. And I love that it’s virtually untouched and unspoiled by human hand. Pretty much the way it was hundreds of years ago. I love that the roads are not much more than dirt ‘trails’ ... that they’re narrow and dusty and dangerous to travel on when it rains. And I love that it’s so easy to get stranded here when that happens. I can say this, because twice I have been caught and stranded when torrential rains appeared suddenly with a vengeance! For two and three days at a time! Once, with a dear friend. And, although this is a very dangerous place to be stranded without proper provisions, never once have I been fearful of losing my life. When I go off into the wilderness - most often alone - I always pack supplies enough to last several weeks. If necessary. So, having informed proper authorities of my destination, I was never in any real danger.
The plain truth is ... the hills are where I find most of my inspiration and zest for life. Tramping around the countryside, up and down the steep and gentle slopes, is what I love to do. It’s what I was born to do. The honour and privilege of 小蓝视频 able to wander around the hills of this magnificent land, however, brings with it a huge responsibility. The land must be treated with the utmost respect. And it’s our job as visitors and sojourners, to do just that! Even though the East Block of the Grasslands National Park is incredibly beautiful, and appears to be rough and rugged, in actual fact, however, it is not. Appearances are very deceiving. The opposite, in fact, is true. The soil is extremely light, and fragile. The grass and its ecosystems are easily damaged and highly susceptible to wind, severe weather, and water erosion. Its flora is very delicate and unique, similar in nature to other semi-arid and bad-land regions. Staying on designated trails with vehicles is essential to maintaining the integrity of the fragile ecosystems and shortgrass prairie.
Most of us, from time to time, need to get away from it all to renew our spirit and find the inner peace we require. I know whereof I speak. For I often have need of peace and tranquility. It helps to maintain sanity in a crazy, mixed up, and busy world. Fortunately, I know of such a place! The East Block of the Grasslands National Park - the Killdeer Badlands - is where I retreat to find solitude. It’s where I go to revive, refresh, and recharge my emotional batteries. It’s my Sanctuary - my refuge from the world.
Dr Ester Sternberg, born in Montreal in 1951, has written extensively on the significance of such places in our lives. She calls them ‘Healing Spaces’. Simply put, spending quality time in our special place causes the pleasure centre of the brain to light up like a Christmas tree. This amazing phenomenon of electrical activity and brain waves, triggers a response in the body’s immune system, causing it to leap into action and begin the healing process immediately ... physically, mentally, and emotionally. In short ... the body begins to heal itself. From the inside out. Dr. Sternberg is now travelling the world, lecturing on her scientific research and exciting new discovery. And what an amazing discovery it is!
