Yesterday, we finally made it into Western Canada (west of the Mississippi River!). We departed Bimidji, Minnesota early, drove to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and filled up with diesel fuel (cheaper here than in Canada). Then we drove north.
Blue has been to Canada before, but Ontario doesn’t count for us. It’s in our backyard. It seemed appropriate to mark the occasion with a picture.
Our first observation of Manitoba, Canada is how FLAT it is. The soil is very rich, and there is A LOT of harvesting going on. A LOT! Jim was enthralled.
I started the day in shorts. By the time we arrived at a campground north of the city, a cold front had moved through. Break out the fleece. We used the campgrounds hot tub (ahhhhh….) and got out the electric space heater (cheaper to use their electricity than our propane).
This morning we set out for Winnipeg. It was only 45 degrees (brrrr). First stop was the Royal Canadian Mint. Did you know the Mint makes coins for over 80 countries including the USA? We didn’t! I couldn’t take many pictures due to security, but here’s a few.
The next stop was The Forks. This is where the Red River and the Assiniboine River come together in the center of Winnipeg. The city has undergone a lot of massive flooding for many, many years (look up the great flood of 1826). They had so much rain a couple of weeks ago, the river level is up 2 feet and the campground we originally wanted to go to last night is closed due to flooding!
After spending time at The Forks, we decided to drive north and see more of the country. We happened along the Oak Hammond Marsh, which is preserved as a bird sanctuary. The birds are migrating, but all we saw were Canada Geese. Regardless, Mary Ellen, these pictures are for you.
If you know Jim at all, you know he grew up on a farm. Farm machinery still enthralls him. So as we were driving this afternoon he was wondering what the crop was that was so brown and different, it was nothing he had seen before. He pulled off at one point and grabbed a stalk to inspect. Then we found some combines to watch (always fun for him!). And as we were departing he spotted a truck and driver on a field close to the road. Jim hopped out and had a nice chat (I stayed in the warm car, even though it was up to 52 degrees).
So, what was that strange crop? Canola! As in Canola oil! Well, we learned something today.
That concludes our Winnipeg adventures. We came back to the campground, tried the hot tub and were disappointed that the water was COLD due to the cold weather. Shiver. We’ve also realized it’s taken us 2 weeks to get this far. The weather is getting colder and we aren’t moving very fast. We have no desire to do extensive driving or camping in the snow (it snowed 5 cm in Calgary yesterday) so we are going to push hard tomorrow (10 hours of driving) and get ourselves to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. That would put us within easy distance of the Canadian Rockies…the whole reason for this trip!
And a hot tub at the campground???!!!! We never had that luxury!!! You sure are getting to see some neat things and places.
Corrine,
Thanks for sharing. I almost feel like I am there with you guys and Blue. What an adventure!
Pam…you would know all about adventures in Blue. Today is a down day, so I am doing some quilting today. I’ve got my sewing machine on the dining room table and my ironing station on the stove and sink. I also have a view of the mountains out the window.
Jim said to tell you and Tom that between leaving your house and the start of this trip, we had put 4500 miles on Blue. Since the start of this trip, we’ve put on 2500 miles already! Blue is getting exercise, but it’s hardly any kind of vigorous workout. That engine just purrs!