Canadian Destinations

Unusual side of Manitoba awaits discovery

by C.P. Hillman

From remarkable wildlife to historical oddities and more, the province of Manitoba has its share of unusual aspects to interest the visitor. Here is a selection:

From Bears to Belugas: The high-pitched chirps of beluga whales and low grunts of polar bears are part of everyday life in Manitoba's North. An exciting destination, accessible by air or rail only, is the northern port town of Churchill. This must-do Manitoba adventure features unique Arctic wildlife and birds, spectacular Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and an amazing fur-trade history.

Churchill is occupied each July and August by an army of more than 3,000 beluga whales that come to feed and calve in the Churchill River Estuary. In October, the great white polar bears congregate in Churchill waiting for the ice to form.

The area's commanding view of the Churchill River led early Hudson's Bay Company traders to establish Prince of Wales Fort, an 18th century stone structure. Destroyed by the French in 1782, the stone remnants of the Fort provide a majestic backdrop for photographers and the splendour of its blackened walls give the ruins a dramatic air. (For information: 1-800-665-0040)

North America's Largest Urban Bison Herd: Located in the heart of Winnipeg, accessed from McCreary Road, the Fort Whyte Centre boasts the largest urban bison herd in North America on its 70-acre Bison Prairie. Get up close and personal with Manitoba's proud provincial symbol, which once roamed freely across the plains.

The centre is also the site of the Manitoba Fish Aquarium, stocked with species that can be found in provincial waterways. (For information: 204-989-8355, www.fortwhyte.org)

World's Largest Snake Pits: Hhhhissssss! Located between the towns of Narcisse and Inwood, red garter snakes emerge from their winter hibernation each spring to perform a frenzied mating ritual that is an amazing slithery spectacle. There are close to 5,000 male snakes for each female.

Typically, the best viewing times are the last week of April and the first three weeks of May. Find the Narcisse Snake Dens six kilometres north of Narcisse on Highway 17 in Manitoba's Interlake Region. Turn at the sign to reach the parking lot. (For information: 204-945-6784, toll free 1-800-214-6497, www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/wildlife/managing/snakes-narcisse)

The Republic of New Iceland: Icelandic immigrants, driven from their homeland by famine and overpopulation, arrived in Manitoba in great numbers during the 1870s. They created the Republic of New Iceland along the western shore of Lake Winnipeg.

The republic, whose official language was Icelandic, was divided into three separate districts, with elected representatives to its assembly. The capital was Gimli, a picturesque lakeside community that remains one of Manitoba's favourite getaway destinations.

When Manitoba's boundaries extended north, the republic was incorporated into the larger province. Visitors can explore the heritage of New Iceland in the towns of Gimli, Arnes, Arborg, Hnausa, Riverton and Hecla (along Highways 8 and 9), which remain the cultural heartland for the largest Icelandic population outside of the homeland. The community holds an annual Icelandic festival, the Islendingadagurinn. The 118th annnual Islendingadagurinn will be held in Gimli August 3 to 6. (For information on the Icelandic Festival: 204-642-7417, www.icelandicfestival.com)

A Bridge Over the River Nile: The Arlington Street Bridge in the heart of Winnipeg was originally built to span the Nile River in Egypt. When that project was cancelled, the local engineering firm who built the bridge used it to cross the Canadian Pacific Railway yards along Arlington Street instead. Both residents and tourists find the bridge's steep incline, great height and the traffic light at its apex intriguing. (For directions: toll free 1-800-665-0040)

Ghost Towns of Manitoba: Once thriving communities where businesses flourished and families lived, worked and played, these abandoned homesteads now lie still beneath the prairie sky. Discover the ghost towns of Manitoba, eerie reminders of a bygone era – buoyed by a sense of mystery and intrigue. Tourists eager to visit these rural haunts are encouraged to purchase Ghost Towns of Manitoba, written by H. Mulligan and W. Ryder – an indispensable resource that's available at most libraries and bookstores. (For information: 1-800-665-0040)

Old Pinawa Dam: The ancient ruins of a hydroelectric dam built in the early days of the 20th century can be found in Manitoba's spectacular Whiteshell region in Old Pinawa Dam Heritage Park (off Provincial Road 520). The original 1906 structure suffered considerable damage after being used by the military as an artillery testing range during the 1950s.

Yet the historic dam's magnificent colonnades and majestic arches provide a breathtaking setting for swimming, hiking or photography. Take Provincial Road 211 to the Town of Pinawa, a delightful community surrounded by waterways and forests, and home to the Pinawa Heritage Sundial, possibly the largest in Canada. (For information on the Old Pinawa Dam Heritage Park: 204-945-6784, toll-free 1-800-214-6497, www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/popular-parks/pinawa_dam; Sundial: 204-753-5174, toll-free 1-800-806-0412, >www.mts.net/~sabanski/sundial/sundial.htm)

Pictographs & Petroforms: Some 1,500 years ago, First Nations peoples designated their sacred places with designs depicting wildlife, people and traditional objects. They are painted in red ochre on cliff faces (pictographs) and outlined with rocks on the forest floors (petroforms).

Pictographs can be found on rock cliffs lining many of Manitoba's waterways, including Tramping Lake on the Grass River and upstream from Artery Lake on the Bloodvein Canadian Heritage River. Traces of petroforms can still be seen today in Whiteshell Provincial Park, particularly at Bannock Point, north of Pine Point Rapids.

Because these sites are sacred to the Aboriginals people, they must be respected by visitors and not disturbed in any way. (For more information: 204-945-6784, toll free 1-800-214-6497, www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/popular_parks/petroforms)

Philip's Magical Paradise: There's a magical quality about this museum, located off Provincial Trunk Highway 12 (on Provincial Road 311) near Giroux, Manitoba. Built to fulfill the dying request of Gordon and Marilyn Hornan's magician son, Philip's Magical Paradise boasts a sword illusion display, lock and key collections, magic trick equipment and two special coins – one from Houdini, one from Doug Henning – and the Blue Room Transformation Chamber. Prepare to be amazed.

The museum is open from mid-May to end of September, Monday to Friday, 7. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 8 p.m. (other times, by special appointment). Admission by donation. (For information: 204-326-1219)

Souris Swinging Bridge: Canada's longest, free-suspension footbridge is located in the scenic community of Souris (along Highway 2 in southwestern Manitoba). After navigating the swinging bridge, which spans the waters of the Souris River, take some time to visit the town's museums, tea room, bird sanctuary or plan a trip to the Souris Agate Pit. Situated in Manitoba's Turtle Mountain region, this pit boasts the widest variety of semi-precious stones in North America. Pay a fee at the Rock Shop on 1st Street South to begin your own private collection of these natural gems. (For information: 1-866-270-8747, www.sourismanitoba.com )

Town Statues of Manitoba: Driving from town to town in rural Manitoba, you'll notice a considerable number of unique statues gracing many of these rural communities. They serve as visual markers for the locals and conversation pieces for visitors.

A few of the more unusual include: the World's Tallest Painting on an Easel in Altona, the Largest Cookie Jar in the World in Deloraine, the Northwest Mounted Police Constable in Emerson, the Viking in Gimli, and Flintabbety Flonatin in Flin Flon and Gilbert the Golfer in Gilbert Plains.

You can also see the Happy Rock in Gladstone, Sara the Camel in Glenboro, the Mosquito in Komarno, Alpine Archie in McCreary, the Mushrooms in Meleb, the World's Largest Coke Can in Portage la Prairie, Chuck the Channel Cat in Selkirk, the World's Largest Smoking Pipe in St. Claude, the Oil Derrick in Virden and Winnie-the-Bear in Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg.