Winterpeg: Winnipeg’s Evil Twin

Day 51   Mile 7103
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.”

 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.

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?

Tea & Trails

Day 44  Mile 5611
Banff, Canada

The word for today is, “TRAILS.”

Trails, trails & more trails. Trails are an important part of any visit to the stunning Banff/ Lake Louise area. While my morning coffee is still warm in my bear-shaped coffee mug, we’re deep into guide books and trail maps deciding on today’s bike, hike or run. This park is blessed with an abundant network of trails to match any fitness level- all rewarding visitors with waterfalls, stream-views, quiet forests & glimpses of wildlife.  We particularly enjoyed a venture out to the Kananiskis country for a horseback ride into the lush mountainside.

My favorite trail was a bit arduous 4.5 mile trek up to lovely Lake Agnes Tea House. This popular trails skirts along the shores of Lake Louise, famous for its bright blue hue (the result of suspended particles from glacial erosion.) The Tea House, the oldest in Canada, is a family-run business in operation since 1905. Renovated by the Magee family, the children used to walk the trail daily to catch the school bus and now live onsite and bring up foodstuffs to cook delightful items fresh daily. Warm cookies sure made the trip down a lot easier.

You Had Me at Disco Water Station!

Day 30   Mile 4931

Vancouver, Canada

The word for today is, “DISCO.”

We’re settled into one of our favorite cities, Vancouver, and ready for two weeks of active fun. Our friend, Fred, is up visiting from Florida and we are participating in Vancouver’s annual PRIDE Run/Walk in Stanley Park.

Local runs are a great way to really see an area and learn about the residents and local businesses- all while getting exercise and having fun. Today is no different.  I’m used to large races so it was a fun & different experience to participate in a small (500 athletes!) event. A retired service dog in a pink shirt accompanied the race organizers as they readied the crowd. A Zumba warm-up session readied the runners. Along the course, it was great fun to visit the disco water stations. ‘Nothing like a little Olivia Newton-John and Pointer Sisters to add a bit of zip to your step.  If you got lost, you could just follow the trail of boa feathers along the path. Now, I think a hearty breakfast is in order! If I could only get “I’m So Excited” out of my head… 

Sitting by the Dock of the Bay

Day 24   Mile 4774

Victoria, Canada

The word for today is, “CONTENT.”

Have you ever had a room on vacation that was so special that you were half-tempted to never leave the property? You know what I mean- a place where you put on your plushy robe, use all the wonderfully-scented toiletries and enjoy the thick pillow-top bedding. 

That’s our predicament here in the Pink Dishrack.

It’s not the Ritz or a glitzy Caribbean all-inclusive resort but the Pink Dishrack is a special and unique abode. It’s a float house tucked into a marina on Victoria’s harbor.  Yes, a

“Sleepless in Seattle” float house.

Named for the pink plastic dish rack given a permanent place of honor in the bay window of the kitchen, our floating home boasts of a porch with two Adirondack chairs so close to the water I can lazily toss cheese tidbits to eager geese. In the harbor, we watch tiny boats ferrying passengers to and fro and in the distance, cruise ships are in dock.  We’ve both agreed our floating home is far preferable to any stateroom Carnival could offer.  We’ve even made new friends who had us over for sunset cocktails on their live-aboard (I know, it’s crazy- us making new friends?)

Before a wedding last fall brought us to the Pacific Northwest, I’d barely heard of Victoria. Now, it is hard to get it out of a hearts. We thoroughly love cosmopolitan Vancouver but smaller Victoria boasts of a special charm and a kinship with nature.  With a temperate climate, showy hanging flower baskets adorn most streets. Miles of rolling coastline are lined with bike paths and verdant parks. One path, the Galloping Goose traverses much of the island and being Canadians, motorists cheerfully yield to bikers and pedestrians. Jeff was even thanked by a policeman for walking his bike on a pedestrian-only path. The city’s love affair with the sea is evident- whale watching boats, SUPs, kayaks and ferries crisscross the harbor, narrowly avoiding landing seaplanes.

Today was spent entirely in motion. Beginning with a bike ride to the tony eastside coastline, we happened into a classic car rally, a farmers’ market and a large annual art festival. Covering the several mile length of Moss St., artists shared their talents along a backdrop of manicured Craftsman homes. A favorite sign alerted visitors that a nearby street also offered live music, chill space, water & love. Later, we lingered along the wharf enjoying the Busker Festival. In its fifth year, the event brings together top street performers to entertain crowds in random locations throughout the city. We enjoyed bubble tea while watching gymnastic juggler Kate Great perched precariously over torches and machetes as she juggled. Elsewhere, fire-breathers, acrobats, contortionists and others entertained the milling crowds.

But on our last night, we’re happily back at the Pink Dishrack, nursing a wine (or three), listening to the distant gulls and taking in a final pink sunset- happy and content.