Alberta's Heartland is a colourful mix of farms, forests, rivers and vibrant growing communities such as Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House and Camrose. Historically, agriculture has been the lynchpin of the local economy, a legacy that lives on at guest ranches scattered throughout the area. Rivers too played a major role in the immediate years after first contact between First Nations and explorers. Today, the waterways have lost their role as a transportation corridor, but they remain a vital part of the landscape for visitors and locals alike. Drifting down the Red Deer River in the summer on a canoe is a popular way to enjoy the scenery, absorb a few rays of warm sunshine and even catch a few fish. On the region's lakes, water-skiing, swimming and sunbathing consume long summer days at resort communities like Sylvan Lake. In winter, outdoor enthusiasts turn their attention landwards to nearly endless snowmobile trails and cross-country skiing.