h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A walk in the forest would be lovely Barney... ~grin~

For anyone who'd like a point of reference, we'll start off in Winnipeg, travel 206 km west on the Trans Canada Highway to Brandon, then roughly 90 km north on Highway 10 to Onanole. The prairie changes from table top flat west of Winnipeg, through the Carberry sand hills, and into rolling prairie around Brandon. Going north we go through valleys and more rolling prairie, until Riding Mountain
comes into view. Its really just a huge hilly area that drops off an escarpment at the eastern edge of Riding Mountain National Park.

At Onanole we turn east for a mile, then north through aspen and pine forest until we come to a big open meadow. This is where we'll start our walk. This meadow edges Clear Lake. The lake is spring fed, cold, crystal clear, and 33m (110 ft) deep. For any fishermen along, the lake has northern pike (locally called jackfish), walleye(or pickerel), perch, lake trout and whitefish. The shoreline is smooth pebbles and fine white sand. Swim, if you wish, but remember its cold!!

Now we'll start our walk into Wasagaming.We can walk around the south side of the lake on game trails, but to pick up our trail, we'll walk back down the road we came in on for a little ways to the first church camp we come to, and go in on their road. The trail goes along the lake shore here, joining two camps. I know about this particular part because, as a camper at the next camp in my 'teens, a group of us snuck up here at midnight one night and rang their bell. Along our way we'll go through a forest of aspens, pines, oak, Manitoba maple and elm. The aspens make a soft sound as the wind trembles their leaves. As we walk long, we can hear the chitter of squirrels. There are three varieties here: the tiny red ones, big elegant grey's and flying squirrels as well. There are also 13-stripe ground squirrels, chipmunks, who will eat peanuts out of your hands.

We're now at my old camp. This brings back memories! As we walk along the beach, past the outdoor chapel, and on toward a tiny cove I'll tell you about the other animals in the park. There are elk, moose, white-tail deer, bobcat, lynx, coyotes, wolves, and black bear. We'll have to be in town by dusk, because that's when the bears get active, and, as we're travelling a game trail, chances are we'd meet at least one heading for the lake for water, or out forraging for an evening meal. But, in h2g2 we can freeze time, so it can remain early afternoon throughout our walk.

There are other hazzards here to watch for. The tree roots, for example, which, for whatever reason sit on top of the ground in spots, ready to trip you up. Also there are hornets, mosquitos, and horse flies - not enough to make it truly unpleasant, but the can give you a nast bite.

On a more pleasant topic - the wild flowers are truly wonderful - deep pink wild roses, bright orange tiger lillies, tiny blue bells, purple flire weed, and the flowers on berry bushes. Later in the summer you can feast on wild strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and Saskatoons as you walk along.

We're coming up to my most favorite place in all of Canada, and I'll try and paint you a picture of it.

Sounds great. Do go on.

~Greebo gets out the bug spray... just in case~

Smart, Greebo. I have bug spray Lite along, for any of us with sensitive skin.

Along the trail and around a corner is my favorite spot. Stand facing the lake, which reflects a blue almost cloudless sky. The trail we are following stretches out to our left, from where we were, and right, to where we are going. In front of us, on a small point of land is a paper birch tree sort of leaning toward the lake. Beside it is a wild rose bush covered with bright pink blooms. All around us are pines and aspens, and an undergrowth of berry bushes and huge ferns. We can feel the bark on the tree, and the warm sun filtering throught the trees onto our backs. Take a deep breath, smell the roses and the moist green smells of the forest floor. Listen to the breeze in the aspens, and the sound of the wavelets rolling on the pebbles on the shore. If I could stay here forever, I would be the happiest person in the world.

This is lovely Barney... ~grin~... you describe the place so well...

Thanks. I can write description by the mile!!! This point is just where Clear Lake and South Lake join. South Lake used to be a fish hatchery. The rest of our trip into Wasagaming is much the same, beautiful views of the lake, every shade of green you can imagine, wild flowers and birdsong. When we reach town, we come in near the old camp ground, and amphitheatre. Carrying on down our trail we arrive at the Interpretive Centre. In here you can see stuffed versions of all the animals and birds found in the park, and information about the park. As you wander around town, you'll discover that there is an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and lawn bowling. There is a cinema, a marina and a dance hall. Wander in and out of the little shops. They offer a wide variety of Native and local crafts, done by excellent artists and artisans. Watch for died agate wind chimes. They're made by a friend of ours, and a very talented lapidist. A must is White's Bakery. They have the best cinnimon buns on the planet!! The Wigwam Restaurant and the Park Cinema are designates heritage sites. For dinner tonight we have reservations at T.R. McCoy's, a first class restaurant. If tomato-garlic soup is the soup du jour, try it - its wonderful!! Perhaps then a walk on the sandy beach, where you're sure to hear the loons calling. Then we can round off our trip to Wasagaming by taking in the Big Band dance at Danceland. Attached to T.R. McCoy's, it is the largest log structure in Canada. That ends our trip. Thank you for coming along - this has allowed me to revisit old memories, and learn again what a truly beautiful place Manitoba is. If you'd like to see pictures of this, try "http://travelmantioba.com" and "http://parkscanada.pch.gc.ca/parks/manitoba/riding_mountain/riding_mountain_e.html"

That's what I get for listening to my husband!! The second one doesn't work. I'll try to find the right link

Can't spell either: "http://www.travelmanitoba.com"

Breathtaking... what more can me say...

I liked it so much, I downloaded the screen saver

Wow... what can me say to that???

You two make me so happy I love the natural beauty and wonder of Manitoba, and it was great to share it with you.

A walk in the forest would be lovely, BB.

allicat - we missed you!!! Go back 2 weeks in this forum, the entire walk's there. Check out the link, too, it will show you some of what I've described. BB

I'm so happy to be back, BB. I've read your guided tour. I will check out the link as well. There are such beautiful pieces on this great Earth. Many of them right here in canada.

You know alicat, that's one thing I really love about h2g2. By talking about our own little patch of this great earth with people from all over the globe, we begin to really look at the beauty around us. We begin to appreciate and be proud of our own country

Amen to that, BB.

Wery well put