Thunder Bay, Ontario to Dauphine, Manitoba

After our four day “rest” in Thunder Bay, we are once again on the road.  Some of the group are glad to be back on the move.  Not me.  This was a busy stop.  I spent time with a writers group - several of them friends from conferences past, and several newly met.  It was a wonderful day for me.  Invigorating to be with like-minded people.

Fathers day was rather laid back.  We near did ourselves in with a rigorous game of mini-golf in the heat.  The guys cooked up a favourite meal for themselves: sauerkraut, sausages, poatoes and onions all boiled together.  Carol and I stayed upwind of the “stink” and let them go to it - that was our gift to them!

Jack, Carol, Russ, and I spent several hours at the historic site, Fort William, which is an interpretive “living history” look at the era around 1815 when voyageurs were hauling huge canoes filled with fur from the wilderness north of Lake Superior to Montreal.  Paddling, portaging, hauling what ever was needed to feed the fur hungry European market was the reason for the trading post which was manned by Europeans, mostly British, Metis and Ojibway.  Interesting to see how the cultures came together, especially how the British survived.

We got to enjoy bannock, cooked over an open fire in fat rendered from game, a voyageurs stew and I foraged for native plants which were used as food, flavouring and medicine.  Both were extremely tasty.

As we left Thunder Bay we stopped for a walk to Kakabeka Falls, almost as high as Niagara.  Not as impressive now, some of the water flow is diverted for electricity, but certainly beautiful and amazing when you think of the voyageurs having to portage around them.

This was a driving day which took us almost to Kenora, passing through the rugged terrain of the Canadian Shield.  Next day we continued into Manitoba, crossing the border in the morning.  We quickly left the main highway and drove through Whiteshell Provincial Park.  Lakes here were formed by craters left by meteors.  We were thrilled to see two does with new fawns cross the road, and then hang in the ditch for us to enjoy.  The road was rough, and as we left the park some wicked construction. It was enough to make us head for the first coffee stop we found.  This area is pretty well wilderness.  The stop was a hoot.  Work boots outside the door because the gals inside this restaurant/bar/hotel wouldn’t let farmers or construction workers in with muddy boots.  Service deplorable because the one waitress kept sitting down to chat.  Food awful.  But great fun.

We continued to Gimley, a small town on Lake Winnipeg, famous for its Viking connections.  Folks from Iceland made their way here in the days of the pioneers.  Later Ukrainians and others arrived.  It’s a fascinating place.  We explored, Guys fished from the wharf, rainbows, thunderstorms, and wonderful swallow houses in the heart of town made it a fun stop.  Once again we dragged C&R into lounges (bars) for a drink.

Next day saw us continuing our “roads lesser traveled” madate along some of the straightest roads you will ever see across the interlake region to the Narrows that separate the north and south parts of Lake Manitoba.  These two lakes are larger than many countries.  We stopped to picnic, fish and enjoy the antics of big white pelicans who seemed to have figured out that the best way to get fish for dinner is to hang around fishermen in boats.  Imagine it was a bit intimidating to be in a small boat surrounded by the huge, hungry birds!

Now we are overnighting in the local town park in Daulphine, Manitoba.  Objective here is to connect with Jack’s nephew, Robert and family.

On that note, its off to bed for this person.  Hoping to wake up to cooler weather in the am.  This 30 degrees is a bit warm for me.

Wishing you all well.

Julie - remember if you want to get in touch please email me at julie@seacroftpei.com