We awoke, had breakfast in our room, and departed Regina at 8:45 (actually 9:45), for the 560 kilometre drive to Winnipeg, just in time to make the supposed 4 p.m. tour of the Canadian Mint. Oh well...we'll go to the Mint in the morning before we commence our next leg from Winnipeg to Thunder Bay.
The weather was horrible today - not as much wind, but a great deal of rain. We even saw a start of a funnel cloud just outside of Brandon. It was a weird feeling - it would have been awesome to see a twister hit the ground, but we were only a few kilometres away - a little closer than I ever want to be from a tornado. There were also a couple of "hairy" incidents on the road, especially the on-coming Chrysler Intrepid that pulled out to make a pass and had to veer off into our shoulder to avoid a head-on collision with us. Scary stuff - my heart was in my throat! Manitoba drivers are "interesting", but I'm sure they feel the same way about BC drivers.
Made a quick stop in Brandon for a lunch of sandwiches, then carried on to Winnipeg. We arrived at 4:30, found the Mint closed, and found our hotel. We are staying at another Travelodge, again with a nice pool. Sam and Jake's behaviour was...let's say...not up to par, so they did not visit the pool this evening. They will try to earn back their swimming privileges for their stay in Thunder Bay.
Once in Winnipeg, we saw:
The grave of Louis Riel.
"The Forks", where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet.
The corner of Portage and Main, the windiest corner in Canada.
Winnipeg Stadium, aka Canad Inn Stadium, home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The 3 Nutty Club buildings, evidently a Winnipeg institution since 1903.
Well, that's it for Winnipeg (for now). We're off to the Royal Canadian Mint in the morning before heading off to Ontario. Still interested in Winnipeg, read the A-Z about Winnipeg.
A funnel cloud outside Brandon, Manitoba.
Finally in Winnipeg.
Jake points out the Portage and Main street signs.
Mom, Jake, Sam, and Kate at windy Portage and Main.
Historic "Forks"
History of "The Forks"
Resting place of Louis Riel
Winnipeg Stadium...home of the Blue Bombers
