Letter From The Editor

One of my bucket list items for living in the northwest region of Alberta was a jet boat trip on either the Clearwater or Athabasca Rivers. We’re blessed in Northern Alberta with spectacular river systems and the scenery and wildlife to match. This summer I was able to check that item off the list.

Earlier this year, Darcy and Shirley Zelman of Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures on the Athabasca River contacted me about their interest in hosting Jason and me for a weekend getaway. As I sit here at their picnic table, about 160 km upstream from Fort McMurray (which is actually south as the Athabasca runs north), I am so happy we took them up on their offer. This place boasts everything a great weekend getaway in the middle of summer should - great accommodations, fun boating, beautiful surroundings and the greatest five-star hospitality you can find.

For me to say that I think you should all call them up and book your very own adventure trip is an understatement. I truly think getting to explore your own backyard, learn about the history and relax in a remote setting is something that everyone in Fort McMurray should plan to do once in their lives. You can read more about our trip to the Grand Rapids on page 60.

This issue of YMM celebrates all that there is to do in summer in YMM - not only this year, but next year as well. Most of you already know that the year of 2015 will be an epic one for our region as we host some incredible sports events, culminating in the biggest of all - the 2015 Wood Buffalo Western Canada Summer Games next August. Adam Hardiman, tells us more about the impact in our cover story on page 18.

Thanks for reading our pages and everyone here at the YMM team would like to salute you and do a cheers with whatever beverage of your choice - to summer and making the most of it!

Krista Balsom Editor-in-Chief/Publisher @kellybalsom @ymm_magazine