One of my favourite places to take out of town guests.... The Whiteshell

We have guests from out of country. They have visited The Forks, The Journey to Churchill, Gimli, WAG & CMHR. They checked out the Leg, Union Station, Fort Garry Hotel, the underground pathways at Portage & Main and the St. Boniface Cathedral. All great spots when visiting Manitoba.

Taken by Fred Bircham

We decided to take them somewhere different.  We took them on a scenic drive through the Whiteshell with short stops that would have a bit of walking but not too much as the weather was cold and threatening to rain.

Our first stop was Alford Hole Goose Sanctuary. It was disappointing that there was no geese despite it only being the 19th of October. It has just been such a cold fall. It is still a beautiful place to look around and check out. We took a short walk and took pictures along the shores, saw a grouse, and checked out vegetation they wouldn't see back home.

Our next stop was Brereton Lake. We stopped and got hot chocolate at the restaurant and headed out to the Ridge out back. If you have never been out there the best way to go is to take the path to the tennis courts and keep going. You will come to a trail that is marked as part of the Transcanada Trail. I recommend walking along the ridge along the trail as it gets better than just that first viewpoint.


***** STUNNING *****


We carried on and decided to take them into Rainbow Falls. I really wanted to stop and take the walk from behind the store to the falls but the rain started so we drove all the way in to the falls. Besides the beauty of the falls and pathways we found some interesting fungus on some of the trees.



We went to Nutimik next. We had to walk in as the campsite bays were closed. Next to yurt #31 there is a path to the beach that we like to take a walk on. When you get to the top of the hill you veer right and are gifted with an awesome Whiteshell view. If you aren't steady on your feet, have a walking stick and be very careful.


There are tons of picture taking opportunities up here and they vary for time of day. We found a nook that was like a little love seat in the rock & fauna for taking pictures! So pretty!



Our last stop just before sunset was just outside The Whiteshell at the Seven Sisters Provincial Park. We got to see the power dam and check out the rapids/falls. There is an outhouse here so a good place to stop before making the trek all the way back to Winnipeg.

This is a favourite road trip of ours but it was made extra special with the addition of our guests that hadn't seen any of these glorious places. Hearing their joy brought us a new appreciate for what we sometimes take for granted. They loved it so much they are hoping to come back and use a Yurt at Nutimik for part of their stay! So exciting!

Have you don't a Manitoba Roadtrip that you really enjoyed? Where are your goto places when you have visitors from out of town?

Folklarama

I didn't manage to get to Folklarama till the last night but we made it count. We toured 4 of that were in the southwest corner of the city starting with the Spirit of the Ukraine at Soul Sanctuary. 

I like that venue as it is really comfortable and laid out nicely to accommodate the crowd without feeling really crowded. The chairs are comfortable, the AC works well, and the bathrooms are nice, clean and well maintained. The pavilion has great food, spirited dances and amazing costumes. This one is one of the ones that will hook you into coming again and again and also raise your expectations if you haven't been to any of the others before!

The next one was Argentina at the Caboto Centre. The food was amazing! We loved the desserts from Dolce Bakery on Regent (but I have a sweet tooth so what can I say!) It was also a nice venue although felt a little packed in there. The dances were fun and the costumes were beautiful. It was a fun atmosphere. 

Then came Spain at St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. We were quite disappointed with how hot this one was despite it saying it was air conditioned (we knew it would be 30+C so picked only ones with AC). It was in the basement but they did have the food in the reception room so maybe the AC just couldn't keep up. They also oversold tickets so there was so many people standing and since we had chosen seats near the back we were surrounded by people standing. Being hot and cramped made it hard to enjoy the show. The ladies costumes were amazing and their dances were beautiful but I could only think about when would it be over so I could get outside. 

We ended the night at the St James Civic Centre at the Budapest-Hungaria pavilion. We shared a chimney cake with ice cream. My friends had one of the combos and ended up getting more of their cabbage rolls because they were so tasty. It wasn't as packed as the last 3 and was the last performance of the year. The dances were fun to watch, especially the bottle dance. 

I was so happy to have made it out to Folklarama. I didn't find doing 4 too much for one evening. We carpooled and didn't try to have more then 10 minute drive between any of the pavilions. We had bought our tickets online so we had priority entrance and wouldn't have to worry about dealing with a sell out. Because there was 4 of us seeing more then 3 we bought the 12 pack and then bought 4 more tickets. With the online fees that cost $94 (23.50 per person) and then we spent about $75 for 2 of us for drinks and food. I do wish that they would rethink having one ticket per full page to print out and maybe switch to a mobile ticket.

Did you make it out to any pavilions? Which ones and how did you like them?

Hashtag Lakelife

I had the pleasure of showing a few places out in the west beaches area of Lake Winnipeg so I went early to make the most of it.

I grew up going out to Winnipeg Beach with my paternal side of the family so there are a lot of memories and reminiscing.

Matlock is a nice stop when heading up that direction. The piers are always a relaxing place to stop. The morning was cool, almost sweater weather, and I managed to still have over half a cup of my favourite Starbucks drink when I rolled in. Nothing like a warm chai latte, a light sweater and a moody sky over the lake to help you zone out for 20 minutes.

I visited with my parents at the marina. I can't believe I didn't think to take a picture there as the marina and pier with all the boats is a nice sight. From the south parking lot you have a unique perspective of the water tower through the bushes and cattails on the edge of the park. It always makes me want to pick up my paint brush. 

We decided to hit up The Emporium for lunch where I enjoyed a delicious home made crepe and my friend enjoyed the Drunken Chicken pizza. The Emporium is known for their crepes, pizzas and drunken chicken. If you go after 4pm they are wood fired pizzas. It is a really nice little place.

While waiting between showings we took a drive though downtown Winnipeg Beach. I didn't have time to take a walk on The Boardwalk to find my grandparents plaque or to stop at Dairy Bee to reminisce about gramma and grampa taking us for ice cream but we did come across a place that looks old but has only been there since 2012. We decided to pop in as it was right up my friends alley with all the unique decor. It is called Candies & Curiosities. Such a nice little place and they had a few treasures that took me back. 

There are so many more great places to check out if you are in the beaches area. The jam busters at Fred's (on the highway) are a great addition to a picnic, there is an off leash dog beach in the provincial park area near the water tower, there is the artesian well on the corner of Laurel and Grove, a new walking bridge just north of that, the waterfront park, and so much more. It is a leisurely drive down highway 9 and is less than an hour from the north perimeter. If you wanted add a few stops to your trip you could also see the locks in Lockport, Lower Fort Gary on highway 9, and the marine museum in Selkirk. 

What are your favourite spots to stop in the west beaches areas?

Camp Morton Getaway

Back in February or March when the reservation day was for provincial cabins and yurts we managed to get a cabin for August on the same weekend that our friends did at the same place. So when the weekend was nearing and they started talking about extreme heat it was not too difficult to decide we should not cancel and go anyway as when do you get the chance to get this kind of weekend together.

We checked in Friday after the park office closed but I called to let them know we were coming. It was hot but the cabin didn't feel too bad despite having been closed up. We got it opened and set up the fans we brought. I had been told there was dishes there so when I realized there wasn't we make a quick trip back to Gimli to get plates and cutlery. Otherwise the cabins are great. They are small with a full bed in the bedroom and a futon in the living room; a bathroom with a toilet and sink; kitchen with an apartment sized fridge with freezer and 24" stove and a small counter with a double sink and a microwave. There is a picnic table on the porch and a nice fire pit area. We had a pet friendly unit and my friends were around the corner from us, a short walk. I was so bad at only taking pictures of my friends 2 year old so I'm sorry I have nothing to show how great this charming little log cabins were.

Saturday we decided to heed everyones advise and head down to the Arnes Farmer's Market. It is quite impressive with vendors sprinkled here, there and everywhere. There was lots of fresh veggies, honey, baking and homemade items, antiques, flea market items and tons of books. There was a busker that caught the eye of my friend's 2 year old enchanting her with his guitar. And there was farm animals. They were a ton of fun. When we got pooped out in the hot weather (high of 37C!!!) we threw down a blanket and had a little picnic sans homemade donuts we bought there (thanks to everyone that suggesting making sure we went for the donuts!).

We went back so the muchkin could have her nap and we got a visit from my parents then headed to Gimli to pick up a case of beer and let the dogs cool off. By 3 we were set up on the grass in the shade by a quiet area that felt like our own private beach. There was the odd other group that would come by. I took the dogs swimming to cool them off and that did the trick. They laid in their pen in the shade and slept the rest of the afternoon while we played with the munchkin. The breeze was perfect and refreshing coming off the water and there were no bugs till into the evening when the flies decided to start biting as the breeze died down. 

The night sky was so dark you could see the Milky Way and there was already some meteor action happening even though the media was saying Sunday night would be the night. 

I can't wait to go back to Camp Morton provincial cabins and hope that we can luck out again next year by getting a cabin the same weekend as our friends do. We made some awesome memories together despite the temperatures being in the high 30s. 

Our South Western Manitoba Adventure

So my aunt still had a couple days before she was returning to BC and we had found an Airbnb out near Boisevain that was newly built, 3 bedrooms and only $100! How could we lose?! It was even dog friendly but we decided to leave the dogs with my dad as we had a lot of activities planned.

We met my mom, George and Pat out in Souris, Manitoba. It was a lovely drive once we left Winnipeg. We decided the first stop would be for bathroom and lunch break. I found this cute little cafe on facebook that we decided to stop at called Woodfire Deli. We ordered a light lunch and besides them almost forgetting to bring Jamus his sandwich it was very good there. They had a little grocery there as well where mom found some bees wax wrap she had been wanting but hadn't found locally yet.

Then we set off to the suspension bridge. We had a lot of fun there but Jamus being Jamus did scare Auntie Pat into leaving the bridge that she had already been apprehensive about crossing. We watched some turtles swim below and got a bit sun kissed out in the blazing sun.

There was plenty to do in Souris so we could have stayed longer but it was already late afternoon so we decided to move on as we still had another hour to drive to our Airbnb. We did decide to grab pizzas to take with us so we would have dinner at the cabin. 

The Airbnb was tucked away a little further then we had anticipated but we found it without too much trouble. There is not really any cell phone service once you get into the Turtle Mountain area. We passed the Turtle Mountain Resort and followed the instructions but kept stopping thinking we had missed it when we just hadn't gone far enough. I wish I had taken a picture but here is the link. His pictures are the greatest and the house is barely finished being built so there is still lots of small things like finishing the painting to do but it was a great deal on a brand new cabin with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a 2 tier deck. I wished we had booked it for both nights. It was super close to the boarder so you have to keep that in mind when having your cell phone on as it was picking up the US towers. There was lakes and channels all around us and the host was super nice and told us which way to not hike as we could end up on US soil illegally. There was a fire pit set up for our use, a bbq and patio set and a fully equipped kitchen. Jamus and I had the master bedroom with a king sized bed and a huge deck off the master which was perfect for seeing how close Mars was. We also spotted Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune! (download the app Skyview to help you find the planets and constellations).

For breakfast we went to Turtle Mountain Resort which was having some technical difficulties with the bathrooms so it was a bit stinky there. We have heard good things about the new owners and they did try to make the best of a bad day. 

We headed over to the International Peace Gardens after that. Jamus and I have never been so it was interesting to see how expansive it is. We visited both the Canadian and US sides and had some silly fun posing for timer pictures. We had a light lunch at the gardens before my parents and aunt had to start their trek back home and we had to go set up camp at Adam Lake. 

You can see above the boarder marker the definite line in the forest of where the boarder is. 

We went to Turtle Mountain Provincial Park to set up camp at Adam Lake. It was a very hot day to be setting up the tent so we were looking forward to going for a swim. It was disappointing to find out the lake is pretty much a slew and the beach they have there is all green and not swim-able. We utilized the free showers instead. We liked the privacy of the camp sites and over all the camp ground was very quiet. The evening was a perfect temperature with no mosquitos although the flies made up for them. Once we put away dinner the flies weren't so bad and we were able to enjoy a camp fire and the peacefulness of the surroundings. You do hear the highway a bit but only when everything is really quiet. 

We stopped in Miami on the way home and had lunch at The Station Bar and Grill. Jamus said his burger was amazing and my chicken fingers were super moist and real pieces of breaded chicken. The service was super attentive. I would put that place on my list again the next time I am out highway 3. 

Ballet in the Park

I am always a huge fan of the ballet but with someone with allergies it doesn't always work out to see them in the concert hall. I have often had to leave because people don't adhere to the perfume free environment but with Ballet in the Park there is so much fresh air I know I am going to be able to enjoy it. 

The first portion is normally demos and small excerpts of upcoming ballets and pretty ballerinas in their tutus there to entertain the kids. The second part is usually about 45-60 minutes and is usually a larger except from one of the ballets and is intentional and beautiful and stunning and I could go on and on. 

This year the last portion was from Carmina Burana which is a collection of poetry from the 12-1300s. It ranged from moody to emotional to upbeat. It was captivating. 

We had gone early and walked over the bridge to have dinner on Portage Ave at Star Grill. I love the variety on their menu both in terms of food and budget. In all the times we have been we have never been disappointed with the food. This time they had a cold brewed blueberry iced tea that was amazing. I will have dreams about that every summer!

It was stifling hot but I bought an umbrella for shade so we could save ourselves some spots and we were lucky enough that a cluster of clouds came in and cooled things off by several degrees before the performance started. You could see it raining in the distance but it when south of us and kept us dry make the weather the rest of the evening perfect for sitting at the Lyric watching the ballet. 

It was a magical night!

Fringing

I have not been much a fringer in the past but I have always had it on my list. This year my aunt was visiting from BC and she is always open to adventure and a friend was able to take a little time off during the day one day. I was able to check out The Cube with some of the free entertainment as well as 2 shows.

We picked our shows based on time availability mostly. Both shows were at noon during the week. My aunt and I headed down early so I could take her over to Parlour Coffee and then to Toad in the Hole for some shopping for her granddaughter. We then went over to the Planetarium where our show would be. I like that venue as it is comfortable and there is easily accessible bathrooms. We enjoyed the show a lot. It was called Traveltheatrics and was about a young woman who loves to travel from a very young age. She tells about several some are very light and fun and some are dark and scary but ends with how she has overcome and learnt a lot about herself and the world. We then had lunch at my favourite downtown lunch spot, Clementines, and then checked out the free entertainment at The Cube.

photo credit: Patricia Dandeneau

The next time I was able to get downtown to watch a show was with my friend. We decided to go to see one called F Words. I thought it was so hilarious I could have peed my pants! And it was a really good thing I had asked outside if there was a washroom inside as there was no washroom at that venue and had to go use the portapotties in The Cube area. Honestly, that one was so funny I would love to see it again. But those who know me know I am a sweary pants so to have a song entirely about the ultimate F-word was up my alley. So was the fact that she was talking about being Forty, Fat & Forgotten. It was just so relatable and done in a hilarious manner.

When that was done we went back to The Cube and both hit up some food trucks and took in a show there. It was not nearly as good as the Firefighter Clowns from Australia but it was ok. The food was awesome. I had perogies and Amanda had deep fried cheese curds from the Bothwell truck.

When you get the chance, get out to a couple fringes. Read the write ups and reviews and see what calls to you and get out and see some.

2018 Patio #1, 2 3 & 4.

I love patios. Till wasp season anyway. We try to eat el fresco any time possible in the early part of summer. And I am hoping that the wasps won't be as bad this year as they were last year so we can continue to eat outside into the fall.

1. The first patio we hit up this year was Beachcomber at The Forks. It was threatening to rain but we decided to chance it. We did get a few drops here and there but their big umbrellas kept us dry and the clouds blew by. The service was great and the crowd was cheerful and friendly. I almost always opt for Manitoba walleye when given the opportunity and it was tasty. We left very full and enjoyed a walk around The Forks. Definitely bonus points for extra things to do before and after a meal.

2. Santa Lucia rooftop patio. I love their rooftop patio. They have a roller shade that allows for shade and wind protection but can be opened late in the evening to let in the light breeze and warmth of the setting sun. The pizza is amazing even for those of us that aren't crazy about pizza. It was a weeknight so it wasn't very busy at around 7:30/8pm on the patio.

3. Resto Gare for a late lunch was amazing and we had the whole patio to ourselves and a little baby bunny! Despite us being the only people outside our waiter was super attentive and funny. I ended up boxing up half my Mac and Cheese and had it the next day for lunch. Jamus usually doesn't like homemade fries but he devoured these ones. They are so good! I had been on the patio here last year with girlfriends and a live band and had a great time so I knew it wouldn't disappoint. The menu here is so varied in options and prices that there really is something for everyone.

4. I went to Promenade Cafe for brunch with a girlfriend. I had booked the reservation the night before requesting the patio. The previous time I had tried to book the patio here for a late night reservation we got a call cancelling due to rain and they had graciously moved us inside but gave us the option to cancel. We did go and loved it but I still wanted to try it out at brunch and on the patio. I got there earlier then my reservation time and the patio wasn't set up. She didn't notice my reservation was for the patio and hadn't planned on setting it up till the other waitress came in later in the morning. She decided to get it set up while I waited (it took her under 3 minutes) and I was seated. I read and sipped tea till my friend came and by then there was several other people enjoying the beautiful view from the patio. If you don't know where Promenade is, it is on Tache looking towards the Forks, Esplanade Riel bridge and The Canadian Museum of Human Rights. They have quite a few options on their brunch menu but were slow to bring coffee and tea refills and even slower to bring the bill. We actually joked about just leaving as we hadn't seen the waitress in so long and this was after the other waitress had come in. Overall, it was mid-morning, unhurried brunch so was all good. I would go again - the view and food were great.

Hopefully we get in a few more patios this year. What have your favourite ones been so far?

Lazy River Adventure

I am totally in love with lazy river tubing but the Pinawa area is the most beautiful spot I have done this in Canada (the caves in Xcaret Mexico were still my favourite despite the BAT!). I have tubed a couple of places in Manitoba (Asessippi & Roseau River) and in Penticton, BC but Pinawa had such beautiful rocks and trees along the river banks. It was just gorgeous.

Jamus & I have our own tubes so we didn't need to rent any but the rest of our group did. I would recommend the kind with a canvas-like cover to protect from getting it pierced. Wilderness Edge in Pinawa rents tubes for $20 each with tax and that includes giving a member of your party a ride back to the starting point so you can leave your car at the ending point without having to bring 2 cars. You can book this online as some weekends they do sell out. They also have change rooms, bathrooms and showers at their facility. So once you have gone to Wilderness Edge to check in and change they give you a claim ticket for tubes and the ride at the starting point and direct you on the map on where to go next.

So you go to the starting point at the end of Highway 211. Someone from your group will follow the driver back to the ending point and leave your car there while the rest of your party gets the tubes ready. We rented a cooler tube as well so we could bring lots of water, fresh fruit & berries in snack bags, cut veggies in snack bags, hard boiled eggs, cheese sticks and other snacks for the 2-3 hour ride on the river.

Once the drivers got back we headed down to the channel's starting point. You definitely need water shoes for this part as it is large rocky gravel. The temperature was 33 Celsius on a Saturday so you can imagine how busy it was so we did have to wait our turn to get started but it wasn't a long wait at all. You do have to carry everything down to the river's edge and part of it is steep so keep that in mind when you are packing up a heavy cooler.

Then you just get on the tubes and start floating. There are some rocks near the beginning but once we got past that we rafted our tubes together and enjoyed the float. There was some rocks and faster spots towards the end as well.

We saw lots of children on this tube ride. They do recommend bringing life jackets for the little ones as they have a limited number of kids ones in different sizes. It is very family friendly as most of this run is very slow and shallow although there are spots that get about 10 feet deep. As with any water activity, life jackets are important and rafting the tubes together so your children are always close to you recommended.

Here is the list of things I recommend to bring:
Shoes you can wear in water
Lots of water proof sunscreen
Water guns (we had a super soaker which was fun but others in our group got these water cannons at the dollar store for $1.25 and they were wicked!)
Waterproof case for anything like your cell phone & keys if you are taking it on the river but Wilderness Edge does not recommend doing that. They recommend hiding your key in the bush.
Water, lots of water... freeze some of it so that by the last half you still have cold water
Sunglasses (and maybe a sports band to keep them on)
Hat (even better if you can tie it to your head)
Waterproof camera or Go Pro with a floaty on them if you have
Snacks in waterproof bags
Towels, extras to put on the seats of car when you get out at the end
Change of clothes so you can change after you are done
Life jackets for kids or poor swimmers (they will provide but have limited amounts)
Small first aid kit in water proof container (my sister is always prepared!)
A water proof bluetooth speaker would be fun
Your adventurous friends!

Have you tried tubing somewhere in Manitoba? Where was it? I want details as we would love to try different spots.

Loud, hot, fast, summer fun!

We love going to the oval dirt race track for some loud, hot, fun on a Thursday evening. The closest one to Winnipeg is Red River Co-op Speedway just off Highway 75 near St. Adolphe. You can save a couple dollars per ticket by picking them up at any Red River Coop Gas Station but beware that they do run out of tickets sometimes so it isn't always best to wait till you get to St Norbert (the last one not the way out of the city) to buy them.

We decided pretty last minute that we were going and texted a few friends to see if anyone else was available. We went July 5th and they were celebrating Canada Day which just passed. They had some make up races to do from a previous rain out in June so we were getting extra races and fireworks. Jay and Irka decided to join us even though they would be late.

So we took a couple blankets to sit on and one to use to save them a spot. We went early so we could get dinner at the concession. They have things like burgers, hot dogs, pizza, taco in a bag, fries, chicken burgers, chicken fingers and a few other things. Their chicken fingers are really good, breaded chicken filets and we always enjoy their burgers or taco in a bag. They offer a large assortment of condiments including all the taco fixings, sourcrout

Some things you may want to bring besides something to sit on: If you have sensitive hearing you should bring earplugs. I do notice adults and really young children seem to wear them the most and Jamus says it really makes a difference to his ears to have a set. It is nice to have a pair of cheap sunglasses to keep the dirt out of your eyes. Some nights you could also need sunscreen or mosquito repellent. And it does cool off some nights towards the end so a sweater is always nice to have. If there is a chance of rain you may want to have a poncho and something to put down on your car floor as if it does rain it is a muddy mess in the parking area.

There is a ton of free parking. If you prefer to park close you can pay for VIP parking for $5 or if you need accessible parking and have a permit you can drive right up to the gate where VIP parking is and park for free by showing them your accessibility permit. They will also give you a lift in a golf cart if you let the parking attendant know you need assistance as the seating is up on the hill.

The races were so much fun. The fireworks show was really impressive as well. They did a great job!

Have you been to any of the race tracks in the province?

Glamping in the Whiteshell

We had the opportunity to get a Yurt at Nutimik campground for a couple nights. We were in Bay 1, Yurt 19. Yurts are soft sided canvas structures with a proper floor and furniture so it is not quite cabin but not quite tent. They have a double bed with a single bunk on top and a futon, a dresser, a table and 4 chairs, a lamp, a fan and a heater. They also have some clean up items like garbage and broom. 

They are set nicely in private sites. We had enough room to set up our dining tent, park our car and still have lots of room for the fire pit. The modern bathroom was about a 150 foot walk. The showers were down the road somewhat and the beach you can either walk a trail to get to (which has a beautiful scenic view but was too wet for us to trek this time), or you can take your car and park. 

The campground beach is small but it doesn't seem to get too busy most weekends. There are so many other beaches nearby. We love the scenery in the area. Blueberry Hill is that hill to the left. You can access it by hiking in behind some cabins before the store. It has a wonderful vista of the lake. Unfortunately, because of 2 full days of rain it was too wet for us to be trekking out on the wet rocks so we stuck to doing other things. 

There is so much to do in the area we didn't even touch the surface. Sturgeon falls is a short walk, over a bridge that was put up less than 10 years ago. Petroforms and Pine Point Rapids are really close by as well. There is a museum right in Nutimik. Of course, you can fish or go boating. 

I had specific things in mind for our two days there. I wanted to read and unwind, cook over the fire, go to the spots where my family had my grandparents memorials, and check out at least one spot we have never been. I grew up going to the Whiteshell every summer so even though there is unlimited things to do out there it would be interesting to see what we come up with. On Saturday we set up our stuff and got settled and then went off to one of our favourite spots that we always visit. Rainbow Falls at White Lake. It is Easy to get to from either side of the Whiteshell so we seem to go no matter where we are staying. We were going to do the hike but it was so muddy and the woman in front of us slid and fell in the muck so we decided to just enjoy the falls and the view on the lake. There were a ton of dragon flies landing on us and in the water. 

We capped off the evening with cooking steak on the fire and playing cards in the dining tent. 

Sunday we started out bright and early by heating some chai latte mix with milk in the kettle on the fire and sat and read for a while. We decided to head to Seven Sisters picnic area. It is outside of the Whiteshell but is where we had my grandpa's memorial. It was packed there with day campers out to have picnics but we grabbed a spot on the side of the rapids and just sat on the rocks. We had a picnic and reminisced about the many picnics we have had there both before and after grampa passed away. We walked around the area and compared the water levels to years gone by. I enjoyed watching the pelicans bathe in a calm pool in amongst all the rapids. 

We decided to head to Pinawa to find the suspension bridge but we took a wrong turn and ended up at the old dam instead. Since were were there we decided we would take a look as neither of us had ever been there. We ended up spending hours there looking around and walking. It was hot but Jamus loved looking at all the old ruins and I love hiking so this was a win for both of us. I especially loved getting in behind the old dam where you can be close to the water. We weren't prepared to go swimming so we just sat with our feet in the water. We had brought our cooler with us so we had lots of snacks and drinks. Despite this being a provincial park the outhouses there are not kept up at all. There was no toilet paper and they were disgusting compared to most of the trail outhouses we have seen. Despite that we can't wait to go and spend a full day there in the future. 

We ended that day by heading back to the yurt, having a big fire and cooking dinner. We were tired from all of the heat but enjoyed the quiet campground as it was almost empty now that it was Sunday evening. 

Monday morning we cleaned up our site and the yurt. We had a fairly comfortable stay. Jamus is a bit too tall for the bed or the futon but otherwise it was great. We decided to go for a late morning swim since it was already so hot and packing up was sweaty business. We used the showers before we left the campground and then set out on our way. 

Our next stop was Brereton Lake. We picked some daisies and then we went down to Gram's old dock - we still know who owns it and they told us to go whenever we want. We had Gram's memorial there so we sat on the dock and reminisced about the good old days. Did you know there is a trail to a beautiful ravine behind the cabins at the store? We used to go up behind there with the other kids in the neighbourhood all the time when we stayed with Gram and Grampa Bill.

Anyway, we decided to stop in Falcon next since Jamus had never been and I had only been in there once before. We went in to the Lakeshore Campground and asked a ranger there if we could use a campsite for an hour to make lunch. He said he wasn't going to stand in anyones way of enjoying the outdoors on such a beautiful day so we had a little fire and cooked up some dogs and left over bacon from breakfast. We still had some cheese left from the day before too so we had some pretty gourmet camp dogs. After stretching our legs around there we decided it was too cool for a swim now and headed home. It was still a long drive and it was getting to evening already. 

All in all we had a great time. I finished a book. We went to 2 new places and had a ton of fun. 

Manitoba Getaway!

We decided last minute to book a room up at Lakeview Resort Hecla so we could have a much needed getaway and enjoy some nature. We do love it there and they allow us to bring our dogs. The dog friendly rooms are laminate and tile so they don't get stinky like some other dog friendly places.

Because we booked so last minute we just got a room, not a suite which was fine since it was just for one night. It still had a very nice tub/shower and a fridge so we could keep the dog food in the freezer.

The hotel was full so overall it was noisier then when we have gone in the past. We were at the end of the hall by the stairs and door to outside so we heard it open and close a lot. It was handy for taking out the dogs though.




I enjoyed their adult only spa and pool area. They have a variety of pools ranging from hot tub to arctic pool. I love their salt pool. And the spray they have in the sauna is so refreshing. Jamus enjoyed a nap after the long drive.

Then we went to explore the area. We went to Hecla Village and checked out the docks and saw lots of people fishing. We saw an eagle checking things out from the top of a pool near the lake. We enjoyed the pelicans and watched a fisherman bring in his nets. The dogs loved exploring and the walking on the paths near the lake.

 

We did a movie night in the room to hang with the dogs and ordered room service. The food was really good. I had the Manitoba Walleye and Jamus had a burger. 

We ordered room service for breakfast as well since taking the dogs to the restaurant isn't appropriate. If the trip wasn't so last minute I would have been more prepared and brought something we could have made in the microwave as I have done in the past. But their food is great so it wasn't a hardship! 

The drive home we took our time and went to check out Camp Morton as we have a cabin booked there in August. Then we went to Gimli and took the dogs for a walk along the lake, got gas and a snack for the ride home. Then we ended up going into Winnipeg Beach to see if anyone was on The Gator at the marina. They had already left so we kept on going and finished the day by stopping for dinner at Half Moon in Lockport. It was a short trip but we made the most of it and had a blast. 

Where is your favourite Manitoba get away spot?

Movies in Luxury!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom wanted to see the new movie with Melissa McCarthy called "Life of the Party" so we decided to make an event of it and take her to the newly renovated Landmark Cinemas 8 Grant Park.

We have been the the Cineplex VIP theatre and love it there so I will do a comparison.

Both have comfortable seats that turn into "loveseats" if you push the middle arm up so they can be coupled or put the arm down to be separate.

VIP you can rock in your comfortable chair. Landmark you can recline the seat and put your feet up!

Landmark has more space between the chairs behind and in front of you to allow for the recline but this also means if people around you are talking you aren't as likely to hear them.

VIP is 18+ which means no one under the age of 18 can come in at all. That one could be a pro and a con! They also sell alcohol.

VIP has in-seat service till the show starts.

VIP only has 3 theatres so there is a limited time for each movie that plays there. Landmark has 8 so a movie will play there longer.

Both theatres offer pre-purchased tickets with seat selection.

Landmark prices vary from $6.99 to $15.99 depending on promo days and if it is 3D with their regular price being $10.99. VIP varies from $13.49 to $19.99 depending on the promo but offers less choices of times of the day.

Have you been to both or either? Which one do you prefer?

Spring Break Craziness!

We decided to take the youngest niece (2) and nephew (5) to Hide n Seek Playground and Cafe during spring break to work off some extra energy.

Wow!

That place is huge and the crowd was insane. I felt like we lost the kids so many times. They do have a good system at the door so the kids can't just leave but it is very easy to lose them in the maze. D loved it so much. He went off on his own several times and if his sister followed he would help her out. They did very well and had a ton of fun.

There are several slides, tons of things to climb, ball pits, bridges, a cannon room, ropes and so much more. The space is massive. It is great for many ages. I think even my 10 year old niece would still have fun there. The 2 year old is quite adventurous and independent otherwise she would be more limited there as parents aren't allowed in the maze on the second level (although I did see some).

The food was what you would expect. Mostly fried snack foods but they did have some fruit cups, cheese sticks and cut veggies available. It would be nice if some families didn't grab a table and keep it all day (I'd say about 7 groups did this), especially when the place is so busy that there isn't enough tables for even half the people there but the majority of people were considerate.

I think my sister in law and myself were way more tired by the end then they were but she did say they slept on the way home so it did tucker them out. I know the kids loved it so I would definitely take them again. I would prefer not taking them on spring break next time.