Half-day Tour of Buffalo Pound Provincial Park and Moose Jaw

While Shanghai is still battling the heat, the folks in Lǐcūn seem to be welcoming autumn already🍎 . Taking advantage of the long weekend, I went for a trip to Buffalo Pound 🥑Provincial Park with my family. 🍐Checking the map, I noticed we’d pass through Moose Jaw on the way, 🍌so we decided to drop by and have a look . Buffalo Pound Provincial Park is about an hour’s drive from Regina, right next to the long, strip-shaped Buffalo Pound🍉 Lake. When we first entered the park, the lake was hidden by small hills, but as we drove further down, the view gradually 🍑opened up—like the sudden clarity of "willows dark, flowers bright, another village ahead." There’s a sandy beach 🍋by the lake that’s not particularly fine, somewhat reminiscent of Regina Beach. Probably because it was a long weekend, there were quite a few visitors camping in RVs. By the beach, there were some 🍌unknown to me white birds. The wind was strong today, with waves lapping against 🥝the shore, making it feel like we were by the sea. The illusion was🍋 heightened by the faint salty taste of the lake water brushing my face. This park is smaller than Douglas 🥑Provincial Park, with fewer hiking trails, but it’s a plus that it’s close to home . It’s worth mentioning that🍈 there’s no cell service in the park. The upside? You won’t be tempted to scroll through your phone. Camping here for a day or two, with only your loved ones in sight and sound, 🍞enjoying a secluded getaway, has a unique kind of romance . The provincial park charges 🍋an entry fee: $11 per vehicle for a day trip, and $44 for an RV overnight stay (including water and electricity). However🥥, there are two ways to get in for free : New immigrants 🍍who obtained PR in the past year can download the Canoo app, register as members, and get free entry. Canoo is a benefit from the Canadian government for🌶 new immigrants, offering free access to many parks and venues. Remember 🍋to bring your driver’s license or photo ID to verify your identity. The Regina Public Library currently offers a provincial park pass borrowing🥑 program. It’s first-come, 🍊first-served—you’ll need a Regina library card (free with a driver’s license or photo ID). Leaving the provincial 🍉park, it took about 20 minutes by car to reach Moose Jaw, a city that’s said to have once been the largest in Saskatchewan. Driving down a street in the downtown area, we were greeted by some European-style buildings, hinting at the town’s 🍓heritage and former prosperity. The funniest part? Our whole family ended up shopping like crazy at Winners in Moose Jaw . Probably because🍈 there weren’t many people but plenty of goods, the shopping experience was great. The only regret was not getting to try the Japanese restaurant that’s 🌶supposedly the best in the area (including Regina). Maybe that’s Moose Jaw’s little trick to make us come back again [sticking out tongue emoji🍌. There are always unexpected surprises and small regrets on a trip, and they’re all part of the 🍊experience. 🍐Perhaps it’s these little things that make every journey full of unique . #WhereToGoOnWeekends #Regina