The best rides have more mud holes than you can shake a stick at

Ah, autumn. That wonderful time of year when the leaves change from emerald green to golden yellow and filthy puddles beg to be splashed in before their winter freeze. On October 27, 2018, Chad Taylor of the North-East Swamp Donkeys ATV Club experienced his best ride ever with a bunch of family and friends on Fairy Glen Trail south of Fort a la Corne, Saskatchewan. The entourage of riders congregated at Taylor’s cousin’s house and headed out for adventure together.

“It started out fairly cool and foggy,” Taylor said. “We removed our coats in the afternoon and then bundled up on the way home when it started snowing—typical Saskatchewan weather.”

Taylor describes the Fairy Glen Trail as a rider-friendly trail for everyone that has a mix of everything from sand to mud.

“Some people came out clean and some of us were covered in mud,” he said. “There’s a go-around for every big mud hole.”

Along the way, Taylor and his buddies took in views of the Saskatchewan River, spotted prairie chickens and deer, and stopped at some old cabins.

“All of our pit stops were full of music blasting and everyone talking, laughing and daring each other to go into mud holes—then laughing when someone got stuck,” he said. “We’d help them out and then move on to the next one to try, ha ha.

“I’m blessed to live where I do.”

When Taylor began the day of his best ride ever, he wasn’t sure how the day would flow or who would turn up to ride.

“I met up with some new friends and family I hadn’t seen for around 15 years,” he said. “I talk to several of the riders all the time. Others, I hadn’t seen in years and some I met for the first time. Once we were all out there, no one was a stranger. If you have a great group of people—and never have a timeline—it’ll always be as great as you want it to be.

“I felt like this is what every weekend should be like—absolutely no stress and enjoying the outdoors with great people.”