The Backroads Bill Podcast

The Backroads Bill Podcast

By North Bay EchoHistory
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The Backroads Bill Podcast episodes

  • How the Georgian Bay Ship Canal Almost Changed Life How We Know It in Ontario
    This week, Bill and Ben ponder the “what if” scenario of The Georgian Bay Ship Canal.

    First proposed in 1837 and then surveyed in 1907, the shipping route would bring resources and products from the west through the French River, Lake Nipissing, Trout Lake and then the Ottawa River to the St. Lawrence Seaway before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

    How would this have changed the way we enjoy our lakes, the economy and our overall way of life? Would this have improved our lives or taken away some things we may take for granted?

    Sit back and open your mind to explore this fascinating “what could have been” scenario.

    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
    30 min
  • How Thunderhouse Falls Brought the Hearst Community Together
    This week's episode sees Bill and Ben explore a top 5 destination for Backroads Bill going north to Hearst Ontario to a place called Thunderhouse Falls. They are joined by two locals Marc Johnson and George Graham.

    Marc and George talk about the area surrounding Thunderhouse Falls that currently has a snowshoe trail. The pair are trying to get the trails they have marked and helped path to be officially recognized by Ontario Parks. They are hoping to continue to develop the area further in the future.



    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
    44 min
  • What is a Pictograph?
    This week's episode sees Bill educating us on pictographs and their place in Ontario's history.

    Bill gives his personal recommendations on which ones to visit and how pictographs, petroglyphs and petroforms are all different forms of expression.


    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
    16 min
  • The Ghost of a Cold War Crash Led Bill to an Unlikely Friend
    Gaylord Treu was an American fighter jet pilot during the Cold War when his plane went down in Northern Ontario. Gaylord unfortunately did not survive the crash.

    This week Bill and Ben talk to Gaylord's son Denny and the impact his father had on him despite passing away when Denny was just 2 years old. Bill also shares how he found Denny after many months of searching.



    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
    28 min
  • Getting a Taste of the Caribbean in Your Own Backyard
    "Windex Lakes" are a natural Phenomenon around the world that give certain lakes a very unique colour and clarity.

    This week Bill and Ben investigate these lakes that are in Northern Ontario. How can they exist? Is the ecosystem in the lakes different?

    Bill gives his recommendations on which ones to check out on your next backroads adventure!


    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
    20 min
  • The Mystery of the Missing Man Who Lived in a Cave
    Charlie Ross was a prospector from the 1930s who had a monument erected for him which mysteriously vanished.

    This week Bill and Ben are joined by Jason Ingram who had a backroads adventure of his own to track down the missing monument. After many years he finally stumbled upon it and he tells about his connection with Charlie and how much it meant to him to figure out this mystery.


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

    For the video version of this episode or 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
    41 min
  • How Nature Helped Save Bill's Life
    This week Bill is sharing his story of going through an almost fatal injury in his leg.

    He shares with Ben how he was unable to go out and do Backroads Bill adventures and being confined to a hospital bed. No matter how dark things got for Bill being outside in nature was what kept him going and helped him with his rehab.


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

    For the video version of this episode or 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
    41 min
  • How the Birth of the Dionne Quints was Mired by Greed and Corruption
    This week Ben and Bill are joined by Natasha Wiatr from the Callander Bay Heritage Museum & Alex Dufresne Art Gallery to talk about the tragic life of the Dionne Quints.

    Natasha dispels some common myths around the history and lays out to the audience the corruption and greed that surrounded the Dionne Quints their whole life.


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

    For the video version of this episode or 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
    43 min
  • Environmental Impact of Mining in Northern Ontario and Canada
    Former Cementation President Roy Slack joins the podcast to talk about the relationship between mining companies in Canada and the land they use. Bill and Roy focus on the Renabie Gold Mine which was reclaimed by nature under the 1992 Mining Act.

    Roy also gives us insight on the environmental impact the industry has on the land they use and he gives his thoughts about mining in space!



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

    For the video version of this episode or 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
    35 min
  • Where Are the Best Hiking Trails in Ontario?
    Get your favourite pair of rubber boots out as Bill takes us through the best hiking trails in Ontario!

    He tells us all about interpretive signage and how it can enhance your experience and all of the volunteers who help to keep these trails intact for people to enjoy.


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

    For the video version of this episode or 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
    21 min

About The Backroads Bill Podcast

From the publisher's feed

It’s time to hit the backroads of Northern Ontario and beyond with Backroads Bill!

Tune in every Wednesday to explore the history and beauty of Northern Ontario. Alongside host and producer…