Setting Off on the Road Trip

This past summer, I went on a quick road trip with a few friends to Cold Lake, Alberta. I had been to Cold Lake before, but mostly to visit the hockey arena. Back when I was the secretary of my town’s Junior B team, we played Cold Lake a few times—but I hadn’t really explored the town itself.

A friend of mine grew up in Cold Lake, and when she found out I hadn’t been to the marina, she offered to take us on a tour around her hometown.

Breaking Up the Drive with Geocaching

Since the drive to Cold Lake is a few hours long, we decided to break up the trip by geocaching along the route.

Exploring the Marina

When we arrived in Cold Lake, we headed straight to the marina, which was our main goal for the day. It’s a beautiful spot on the shore of Cold Lake—a huge, deep lake named for its cold water. Around the marina, many different boats were moored, and you can walk around the entire area. Some people were fishing right from the dock, and the fish were jumping that day!

Lunch at the Marina

It was getting well past lunch, so we wanted to find a place to eat. There are a couple of choices close to—or even in—the marina. We chose one that, unfortunately, was not that great. The food was disappointing, and the cleanliness left something to be desired. We will choose another location next time.

Although we were disappointed with the food, we still enjoyed walking around the marina, looking at the boats, and soaking up the hot weather by the water.

Notable Sights Around Town

While walking around the marina area, you can hear the booming jets long before you see them—an ever-present reminder of the busy air base nearby.

Across from the marina, we noticed the empty Alex Janvier Art Gallery. I had been hoping to see the gallery, but unfortunately, after Mr. Janvier’s passing, the family moved it to Cold Lake First Nations. It can now be viewed there by appointment only. Because we didn’t have an appointment, we made a note to plan a visit to the gallery on our next trip to Cold Lake.

We also noted the little shops in the older part of town and the distillery—places we plan to have more time to explore on our next visit.

Looking Ahead

Even though this was just a quick trip, it gave us a fresh perspective on Cold Lake beyond hockey games. With the marina, local shops, and the nearby gallery still to explore, we already have reasons to plan a return visit. It’s a charming town with more to discover, and sharing it with friends who know it well made the experience even more memorable.

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