Day 51 Mile 7103
Winnipeg, CA
But we fell
for lovely “summer” Winnipeg. On our
brief stop, it was a lovely temperate night along the waterfront, called “The
Forks” where the Red and Assiniboine rivers meet. Open-air cafees dot the
shoreline as small boats shuttle folks from point to point. Miles of gardens,
parks and flat trails- just perfect for running, walking and biking- line the
waterfront.
Winnipeg, CA
The word
for today is, “HARDY.”
Being a
Florida girl, I think cold means pulling out my closed-toe Skechers or (gasp!)
wearing my boots lovingly stuffed with paper & displayed in my closet (a
throwback to my NYC years!) But Winnipeg has winters on steroids. 
While we experienced
lovely, kind, summer Winnipeg, “Winterpeg” reigns supreme throughout the cold,
dark winter here. Much like Frozen’s Elsa who can’t help but leave ice and cold
in her wake, Winterpeg covers the region in freezing winds and ice and drives
mere humans inside to hibernate like heartier bears. Seeing power plugs along parking areas, I
assumed they were for “green” Canadians driving electric cars. But noooo. I was
informed these plugs are to charge engine warmers so car oil won’t freeze and
batteries won’t die during typical 40 degrees below zero temperatures. It took all the self-control I had not to
yell, “Why do you people live here in the winter? Run, run while you are still
not frozen in ice!” No wonder Homer Simpson threatens his family with, “That’s
it! We’re all going back to Winnipeg.”
While we
were in, the Interstellar Rodeo was taking place. This waterfront music festival,
one of many crammed into Winnipeg’s short summer season, draws thousands of
visitors and an interesting mix of talent- all enjoying evenings of music under
the stars. The festival offers eclectic cuisine and even wine delivered to your
lawn chair. Wines are paired with each
particular musician. For Sarah
McLaughlin, perhaps some chilled light white?
While for Dwight Youkum, I’ve gotta think they’d pull out an earthy
pinot noir or top shelf tequila shots. We’ve gotten into Cider while here. I wonder who I should add to my playlist for
cider?
