Coming into Winnipeg is a bizarre experience for someone who is used to landing in small towns. I took off from Gimli early after bidding Michele goodbye. Somewhere, I had lost my trusty kickstand stick so I replaced it with one from Michele's woodbox. It wasn't as good but still did the trick. I have been eyeing the surveying sticks along the highway but I'd feel bad about wrecking someone's work. I decided that since I was so close to the field that I should at least peddle over and have a look. It's mostly an industrial park but there is a runaway where the cadets learn to fly gliders. I think on the other side, by the drap strip is where the 767 actually landed. I went further in than I should of and snapped a few pictures. I then took off for Winnipeg Beach.
Winnipeg Beach used to be a huge draw for Winnipeg in the earler part of the century. People said it was the Coney Island of the North. At one point, on a Sunday, I think 20,000 travelled there from the city to enjoy the place. Today it is smaller but I can still see the attraction. It's quiet, green and clean. I saw a sign for the pancake breakfast and supported the firefighters. At 9, the sign on the bank said "30 degrees" and I thought it must be wrong. The highway had no shoulders so there were some tense moments as people clipped things too close. The temperature was rising and I had moderate headwinds which wasn't fun. I decided to travel to Selkirk since there was a park there and some water. By the time I got to Selkirk, it was definitely warm. I pulled into the tourist centre which was the Maritime Museum. I talked to the teenagers at the counter and they wanted $6.50 for a chacne to look at the boats. After much humming and hahhing I decided it might be nice to at least get out of the sun. I boarded the SS Kenora which was a ship about 150 metres long. It was fabricated in Sorel, Quebec, assemlbled in Kenora, Shipped by rail to Winnipeg and finally run on Lake Winnipeg as a steamer. It had a brief run as a dance hall but it was neat to see the passenger cabins, the captains quarters, and the engines. Many of the boats used ended up burning or crashing so it was cool to be on one that was about 100 years old and had such history. I really ended up enjoying my tour. I bought 2 postcards but forgot to take a picture of the boat!! Because it was so hot, I retreated to the library to wait out the heat but by 2:00pm, I decided it was time to get to Winnipeg.
The wind was still blowing and I passed signs that said 37 degrees. I didn't power it in but staggered in like the speedwalker at the '84 Los Angeles Olympics. Even after 3 km out, there are still fields that are evident and you wouldn't know you are approaching a major city. Then, there is a stretch of cemetaries and headstone shops for another 3 km. Finally, when you pass the perimeter highway, you get to the city. I got to the house but no one answered the door so I unloaded my stuff and went to find cool air. The host had a nice house in a nice neighbourhood but the main street quickly got colourful. I found a McDonald's and enjoyed a meal and especially the air conditioning.
I called the host D'arcy and he was home so I went to meet him. D'arcy is such a nice guy and quite funny. He runs an animal shelter and it takes a huge amount of work. He also has 2 dogs (Darwin the bull mastif and Junibean the corgi/jack russel/beagle) which are adlorable. Five cats also roam-Stanley, Arthur, Charlie, Milo (1 eye), and chat. I find out from Darcy that his place is know as "Scotia Heights" when people are trying to portray it nicely (I.e Real Estate Agents) or as the "Fire Zone" when not. "Fire Zone" has something to do with people setting fire to the dumpsters or such. The hosue and neighbourhood are roughly 100 years old! Its a charming, open house with vibrant colours. Very cool! I met his wife and 2 daughters later and found that they were a very friendly, welcoming group. D'arcy made dinner and I shared my first meal at a table in quite a while. Annie was nice enough to give up her room so I could sleep there. I shared the room with a rabbit and a gerbil-Bob. The shower was fantastic and the company was great. I also got a chance to play on the piano for a bit and I was lucky the oldest daughter went to babysit because she has her grade 9 Conservatory!! Awesome. I have to mention that last year, D'arcy adopted out an animal from his shelter to Selema Gomez last summer when she was there with Justin Bieber. Six degrees of seperation!! I walked the dogs in the morning. Walking with Darwin is a little like driving a Sherman tank. All the power is there to be unleashed at a moment. He was good to me and refrained from breaking any apendeges. Judibeen chewed her leash a few times but was good. Nice to walk the dogs again. Still, it was nice to play again. I touched base with Tania and we have plans to meet in the city tomorrow with Joane Windle (former school colleague). Tania has also arranged sleeping spots for me near St. Malo! Great job Tania. Soon, I make for Ontario!
Winnipeg Beach used to be a huge draw for Winnipeg in the earler part of the century. People said it was the Coney Island of the North. At one point, on a Sunday, I think 20,000 travelled there from the city to enjoy the place. Today it is smaller but I can still see the attraction. It's quiet, green and clean. I saw a sign for the pancake breakfast and supported the firefighters. At 9, the sign on the bank said "30 degrees" and I thought it must be wrong. The highway had no shoulders so there were some tense moments as people clipped things too close. The temperature was rising and I had moderate headwinds which wasn't fun. I decided to travel to Selkirk since there was a park there and some water. By the time I got to Selkirk, it was definitely warm. I pulled into the tourist centre which was the Maritime Museum. I talked to the teenagers at the counter and they wanted $6.50 for a chacne to look at the boats. After much humming and hahhing I decided it might be nice to at least get out of the sun. I boarded the SS Kenora which was a ship about 150 metres long. It was fabricated in Sorel, Quebec, assemlbled in Kenora, Shipped by rail to Winnipeg and finally run on Lake Winnipeg as a steamer. It had a brief run as a dance hall but it was neat to see the passenger cabins, the captains quarters, and the engines. Many of the boats used ended up burning or crashing so it was cool to be on one that was about 100 years old and had such history. I really ended up enjoying my tour. I bought 2 postcards but forgot to take a picture of the boat!! Because it was so hot, I retreated to the library to wait out the heat but by 2:00pm, I decided it was time to get to Winnipeg.
The wind was still blowing and I passed signs that said 37 degrees. I didn't power it in but staggered in like the speedwalker at the '84 Los Angeles Olympics. Even after 3 km out, there are still fields that are evident and you wouldn't know you are approaching a major city. Then, there is a stretch of cemetaries and headstone shops for another 3 km. Finally, when you pass the perimeter highway, you get to the city. I got to the house but no one answered the door so I unloaded my stuff and went to find cool air. The host had a nice house in a nice neighbourhood but the main street quickly got colourful. I found a McDonald's and enjoyed a meal and especially the air conditioning.
I called the host D'arcy and he was home so I went to meet him. D'arcy is such a nice guy and quite funny. He runs an animal shelter and it takes a huge amount of work. He also has 2 dogs (Darwin the bull mastif and Junibean the corgi/jack russel/beagle) which are adlorable. Five cats also roam-Stanley, Arthur, Charlie, Milo (1 eye), and chat. I find out from Darcy that his place is know as "Scotia Heights" when people are trying to portray it nicely (I.e Real Estate Agents) or as the "Fire Zone" when not. "Fire Zone" has something to do with people setting fire to the dumpsters or such. The hosue and neighbourhood are roughly 100 years old! Its a charming, open house with vibrant colours. Very cool! I met his wife and 2 daughters later and found that they were a very friendly, welcoming group. D'arcy made dinner and I shared my first meal at a table in quite a while. Annie was nice enough to give up her room so I could sleep there. I shared the room with a rabbit and a gerbil-Bob. The shower was fantastic and the company was great. I also got a chance to play on the piano for a bit and I was lucky the oldest daughter went to babysit because she has her grade 9 Conservatory!! Awesome. I have to mention that last year, D'arcy adopted out an animal from his shelter to Selema Gomez last summer when she was there with Justin Bieber. Six degrees of seperation!! I walked the dogs in the morning. Walking with Darwin is a little like driving a Sherman tank. All the power is there to be unleashed at a moment. He was good to me and refrained from breaking any apendeges. Judibeen chewed her leash a few times but was good. Nice to walk the dogs again. Still, it was nice to play again. I touched base with Tania and we have plans to meet in the city tomorrow with Joane Windle (former school colleague). Tania has also arranged sleeping spots for me near St. Malo! Great job Tania. Soon, I make for Ontario!