manitoba Archives - Operation Relocation: West 2 East Coast, Canada

New Iceland

Gimli has been on the top of my list of places to visit since day one of planning this cross country journey. However, Gimli has been on my radar for years. Why? My Nana had her “cuppa”(her all-day coffee) out of a Gimli, Manitoba mug on the regular right up until her passing. I grew up listening about stories of Iceland and hearing of the Viking settlement Gimli. Learning about the huldufolk or as she would say “The Little People” and of the Icelandic folk who loved making music, writing stories, and watching for faeries.

Gimli is known as New Iceland. Named by the first wave of Icelandic persons who immigrated there, as they were promised land by the Manitoba government to farm and build their lives. It wasn’t an easy transition. The journey across was treacherous and the winters were hard. Out of 300 who immigrated, only 50 stayed! Though they were great fisherman in Iceland, the new comers struggled on Lake Winnipeg. Fortunate for them, the First Nations were welcoming and willing to teach them how to fish these waters.

Now for the exploration of Gimli by our crew. We were welcomed to Gimli by a mighty Viking, standing tall near the harbour of Lake Winnipeg. To enter Viking Park you come through the concrete border, which has Gimli’s history etched on metal plaques. Gardens encompass the mighty statue. While Icelandic family plaques line the walkway presented by loved ones and those who donated to the park.

Next was the New Iceland Heritage Museum. A small museum but with great character. We began with a short film about the immigration to Manitoba and the new beginnings of those who braved the journey. Displays of poetry, tools, the homesteads, and clothing kept us busy. And then…then Moose and Bowie found the dress-up corner. Complete with swords, spears, furs and of course Viking helmet’s. We had our fun and visited the gift shop and away we went.

We enjoyed shopping and browsing for a little while until lunchtime. We all made our way to Europa. A small, kind of strange looking place covered with posters of food items everywhere. But a slamming busy restaurant, people coming and going nonstop, must be good. And it was, including the biggest poutine I’ve ever seen, not even Bowie could finish it.

After lunch we made our way to the waterfront and really took in how big Lake Winnipeg is! Looking in the distance you could see white caps from the wind, and big waves were crashing the shore. The breakwater protecting the harbour has murals painted along, some were in the process of being restored.

We hopped into the truck for one final stop…an important one: Sugar Me Cookie Boutique. A friend I met at work told me about them years ago and even shared a prairie treat with me. So I made sure to visit now that I am finally here. Vinarterta…ask any Icelander from the prairies and they’ll fill you in. Dates or Prunes and Icing vs No Icing…that is a long standing debate. I used to make one with my Nana around Christmas, and I still make mine every year, but Sugar Me Cookie’s Vinarterta is next level!

Treats ✅️ Souvenirs ✅️ Good times had ✅️

It was time to go. We made our way back to Winnipeg. Loaded up the jeep and said our goodbyes. Until next time Winnipeg.

Now unbeknownst to me…we had one more milestone to hit today.

The Centre of Canada 🇨🇦

At this point we have been travelling for 10 days! Then we see the Manitoba Stars. An attraction coming up…The Centre of Canada. We have officially made it half way across the incredible Great White North! 96° 48′ 35″ The Longitudinal Centre of Canada.

We pushed on after that crossing the border into Ontario, Chris’s home province. We had a hotel booked to stay the night in Kenora.

Until tmrw, cheers Mel xo 🤗

We had a really great stay at the Emerald Park Ramada. The beds and pillows were so comfortable and we all woke up refreshed, thank goodness. Everyone headed down to the cafeteria for breakfast. The dining area is really nice, bright and clean. While we had breaky, Chris and I got caught up on the latest news out of NS and all the clean up efforts going on. We have been in touch with our new landlords and everything there is a-ok. We both look forward to getting there soon to help however we can.

Back on the road we headed to another small town. This time it was for my Grandpa Harold (my Dads father) and his brother Clayton. They were born in a small town called Maryfield, Saskatchewan. Maryfield is about 2 hours and 20 minutes from Emerald Park. When you turn onto the drive you are greeted by signs as you enter, saluting their local champions and notable ‘Whitetail Country’. A very small town indeed with 311 residents, a quiet corner store, post office and The Arlington Hotel. A lovely memorial garden for the residents is situated in the middle of town to have a sit or walk through. I wasn’t sure what buildings, but my grandpa and his brother built a couple in town back in their younger days. Dad and I wondered if they still stood when we spoke on the phone, before we arrived. My memories of my Grandpa Harold are filled with family holidays in Vanderhoof, BC. When we spent summers there we would walk the property, get a peek inside his workshop and play in the fields, even feed the horses. Winters were incredible…SNOW!!! Real, deep, can’t hardly walk snow. Something an Islander kid very rarely experienced. We would toboggan, flop around, even had snow forts built for us. Very special memories indeed.

Now keep in mind, if this is a trip you may do…Saskatchewan very rarley has rest-stops so plan ahead! I was feeling pretty bad for the Truck Divers out there. We headed out from Maryfield and began to make our way to Winnipeg, Manitoba. My cousin, whom I grew up with next-door most of my life now lives there with his 2 kids and girlfriend. So onward we go for 3.5 hours onto hwy 1 and a time change! We were within the Manitoba border about 30 minutes when the landscape began to change. We still had fields of gold, but beyond those were trees, lots of trees. And flashes of purple emerging from the bushes. Slowly the flat fields became rolling fields, how they still look perfectly manicured by the combines and tractors…I’ll never know. We had our first flash of rain, not long 10 minutes maybe, since leaving Vancouver Island. I thought of my friend Laura back home as I passed through her hometown of Brandon on our way through.

FYI Manitoba has their highway signs figured out! For one the highway number or junction you’re on…has a picture of a buffalo on it…ummm fun.

And two, when there is an upcoming attraction or point of interest all you have to do is watch for the shooting stars!

Getting into Winnipeg is interesting. The drivers…many of them hesitate. Hesitate to accelerate at a green light, stop sign or just passing another car. Maybe its because the roads are like being on a ride; bumps and grooves and dips galore. And its not the friendliest city as far as navigation goes. I would know, we’ve just about travelled halfway across Canada at this point. Once we rode the rollercoaster for about 20 minutes we made it to my cousins!

It was dinnertime! And my cousin is a great cook, he actually enjoys it too. Homemade pizza’s and local beers from all over Winnipeg. After the kids headed to bed, the adults dipped into the beers and cider…and a taste from home. A surprise bottle of scotch from Shelter Point Distillery made in Campbell River, BC. Through stories, laughs and cheers, the 4 of us had a great evening getting all caught up.

Bedtime so we can explore Winnipeg tomorrow. Cheers Mel xo

Tag: manitoba

Day 8: Seeking familial ties & heading to Manitoba for others…