The Backroads Bill Podcast

Matachewan is home to less than 300 people however it ended up being a source of trade and mining over it’s long history.

Kenny Mccollam, who grew up and currently lives in Matachewan, chatted with Bill and Ben about his family’s rich history in the area and both Bill and Kenny see Matachewan as “the place to be”.



Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:

Host: Backroads Bill Steer
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications

Have you ever wondered what a vacation looks like for Backroads Bill? 

Fresh off a 9 day excursion across western and northern Ontario, Bill goes in depth on his trip and has a new destination in his top 10 Ontario destinations. 

Bill and Ben also take a look at some potential upcoming guests and episodes!


Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:

Host: Backroads Bill Steer
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications

Bill took a recent trip north to High Falls, a majestic and large waterfall found on the backroads. Through some detective work Bill tells the history of this gem and the lost art of the “River Driver”.

We also catch up with the next few adventures Bill is going on and Peter Smith dropped off a present for Bill after our sasquatch episodes.

Check out the article Bill wrote: https://www.timminstoday.com/column/back-roads-bill/back-roads-bill-new-find-on-the-back-roads-9216121 




Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:

Host: Backroads Bill Steer
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications

On part 2 Peter rejoins the show with his partner Christine as they continue the conversation from last week. Christine shares her personal experience that made her a believer in sasquatches.

Peter and Christine discuss how sasquatches brought them together and when they can share some of the evidence they have collected over the years.

If you missed part 1 you can check it out here: https://www.northbayecho.ca/on-the-hunt-for-sasquatches-in-ontario-part-1/ 



Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:

Host: Backroads Bill Steer
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications

Just like aliens and conspiracy theories, tales about sasquatches have been passed down over generations by cultures all over North America.

We sat down with Peter Smith who runs the group Ontario Sasquatch for a two-part series where he dives into some of the evidence his team has gathered, as well as his personal experience with sasquatch.

 Next week on part 2, Peter will be joined by his partner Christine to delve even deeper into the legend of sasquatch.


Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:
Host: Backroads Bill Steer
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications

Bill and Ben are joined by familiar guest Brian Emblin to discuss the recent grand opening of the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough ON. 

They each rate their visit and talk about their favourite exhibits including some that are tied guests that have been on the podcast. They also talk about their hope for future exhibits and what they would like to see on their next visit.

Check out the podcast episodes that were mentioned in this episode:

Timiskaming canoe tragedy: https://www.northbayecho.ca/the-impact-outdoor-activities-have-on-education/ 

Paddle to the Amazon: https://www.northbayecho.ca/the-20000km-canoe-trip-to-the-amazon/ 

Mattawa Canoe Race: https://www.northbayecho.ca/post-mattawa-canoe-race-update/ 


Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:

Host: Backroads Bill Steer

Producer: Ben Sargent

Produced by Clark Communications

Maria Leijerstam joins the Backroads Bill podcast to talk about her setting a world record as the first person to cycle to the South Pole from the edge of Antarctica.

The almost 650-km trek took just over 10 days and saw Maria go through treacherous conditions to achieve her goal. She talks about the preparation required, including having to learn how to use a trike and the challenges it created compared to her trusty bicycle.

You can find her book and documentary on her website: https://www.marialeijerstam.com/


Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:

Host: Backroads Bill Steer
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications

Longtime adventure buddy Brian Emblem joins the show in studio to chat about a recent adventure he went on with Bill and prior podcast guest Jason Ingram.

The trio found an empty concrete swimming pool on an island in Raven Lake.It is a story that involves the depths a husband will go for his wife, some ingenious engineering, and not having the rights to the land in the first place.

You can find the original article here: https://www.timminstoday.com/column/back-roads-bill/back-roads-bill-diving-deep-into-an-old-pool-9014162  


Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:

Host: Backroads Bill Steer
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications

Bob Hunter who is more commonly known as “Abitibi Bob” joins the podcast to chat about his time growing up in Abitibi Canyon.

Bob goes into growing up in an isolated environment with few of the amenities that kids his age would have access to. Bill and Bob also discuss the reason the Abitibi Canyon blew up in popularity but within a decade found itself with barely anyone still living there. 

Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_bill
and on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:

Host: Backroads Bill Steer
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications

Ken Dokis joins the podcast to share his sighting of Sabe, the Anishinaabemowin language word for Sasquatch and Big Foot.

For Ken, a member of Nipissing First Nation, it was a deep, personal experience that he hasn’t been able to fully share until recently because he was a Indigenous chief of police at the time.

Follow Bill on Facebook & Instagram: @backroads_billand on Twitter: @steertonorthONT

To explore more North Bay podcasts and to stay updated on local events and news go to NorthBayEcho.ca.

For exclusive North Bay updates and insights, subscribe to our newsletter Echo Essentials.

Stay connected with Echo on social media: @NorthBayEcho

Production Credits:

Host: Backroads Bill Steer
Producer: Ben Sargent
Produced by Clark Communications