The Trans Canada Trail delivered a couple of new friends to Julie Mazur’s home last week.
On her quest to hike the Trans Canada Trail across the country, 24-year-old Sarah Jackson of Edmonton arrived in Canora on March 22 and she knew that she had a place to stay. Dwayne Kostura, who is married to Julie Mazur’s daughter Monica, had met Jackson in Edmonton and when he learned about her quest, he suggested that she visit his mother-in-law when passing through Canora. One thing led to another and soon Jackson had a place to spend a day or two when visiting Canora.
It was Day 184 on her cross-country trek when she arrived in Canora. Along the route, she had been joined by a few hikers who wanted to hike for shorter distances. In Saskatchewan, she was joined by Stephan Wynnyk, who plans to accompany her as far as Winnipeg. He will then be flying back to Edmonton and returning to his job at a golf course. He has been Jackson’s hiking partner since Day 100 when she left Cochrane, Alta.
This hike was nothing new to Wynnyk who, as a teenager, had hiked across northern Spain with his father.
Jackson said there are some challenging aspects to the hike, like carrying a backpack that often exceeds 60 pounds. Winter was a bit of challenge, but forever optimistic, she notes that this being an El Nino winter, the temperatures were much more mild than usual.
The value of seeing the beautiful landscapes of Canada and meeting so many wonderful people far exceeds any of the challenges, she said.
Mazur said she looked forward to meeting her guests ever since her son-in-law brought up the suggestion that they spend a day or two in Canora. She looked forward to meeting them and learning all about their experiences.
“They remind me of my grandchildren – it was a treat to have them visit.”
Jackson and Wynnyk came through Yorkton, followed the trail to Good Spirit Lake and then to Canora. They left Canora following the trail towards Veregin and the Manitoba border.
Jackson said she hopes to dip her foot in to the Atlantic Ocean before the first snowfall of the winter of 2016-17.
The Trans Canada Trail, which was originally scheduled to be finished in July, 2000, is about 80 per cent complete. With the country about to celebrate it’s 150th birthday, the new goal is to have the Trail completed in time for the 2017 celebrations. The final trail will be about 24,000 kilometres, but about 6,000 kilometres still need to be completed.
