This summer I found myself in the middle of Canada in the great province of Manitoba. Some of my West Coast friends teased me, “Why would you go to Manitoba in the summer?” Two reasons, maybe three. I have two amazing women friends who live in Manitoba, one in Winnipeg and the other about 2 1/2 hours away in the gorgeous town of Killarney. I have been living through a year-long renovation; I left my job in the spring and had been feeling untethered, existing in between what was and what is to come. I needed some time away from the fray to settle and sort myself out.
Winnipeg - The Prairie Garden
I ended up spending 12 days on the prairies. And I wouldn’t change a thing. It was a beautiful experience, connecting with phenomenal women, meeting their circles of people, some I had never met before, eating fresh food, driving through tiny towns and villages, sipping wine on patios and basking in the vast prairie skies, exhaling, listening, settling.
The streets of Winnipeg
“The Forks’ Tale
At The Forks, where waters kiss, history whispers tales of bliss.
Centuries pass, yet stories remain,
In every brick, in every grain.
Market bustles, children’s cheer, echoes of a bygone year.
Time’s river flows, yet The Forks stand,
the beating heart of this grand land.”
48 hours in Winnipeg…I stayed at the Fort Garry Hotel, Spa and Conference Centre. Fantastic location just a few minutes walk to The Forks, parks, well maintained riverbank walkways, museums, cafes and restaurants. Beautiful hotel, great staff, gorgeous rooms (https://www.fortgarryhotel.com/).
I met my darling friend Friday night and we spent the evening shopping and eating at the Forks. We enjoyed a glass of wine under the canopy of the tall leafy trees while the rain sprinkled and people scattered for cover and talked for hours (https://www.theforks.com/).
I have previously been to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and highly, highly recommend spending 3-4 hours there. It is an enriching, personally moving experience which impacts each of us uniquely (https://humanrights.ca/).
Saturday I had my morning coffee and wandered down to the bustling lobby, sitting on an overstuffed paisley patterned sofa whilst waiting for my girlfriend to arrive. We spent the day in her neighbourhood. I got to see her lovely home and connect with her young family. We headed off to a local park for the kids to run and play for a while, and later found ourselves at a lovely french cafe for coffee and delicious pastries, a pistachio eclair for me and strawberry macaron for her (https://www.frenchwaycafe.com/) . Dinner found us at the Prairie’s Edge Cafe in Kildonan Park. Looking out to the pond and the pathways on beautiful prairie summer’s eve with a delicious meal and soul-filling conversations made for a really lovely, memorable night (https://prairiesedgemb.com/)
The Duck Pond at Kildonan Park
I miss her already. Winnipeg, you are wonderful. Until we meet again.
The next day, after a terrific sleep and my dark roast morning coffee, I packed up my bags and made my way to the stunning lobby once again for Part 2 of my Canadian prairies summer adventure.