Fort Whyte Sanctuary is Winnipeg’s equivalent to Nanaimo’s Buttertubs Marsh where dozens of school children congregate in the spring to learn more about marsh life and the great outdoors in general. That’s where we visited in the morning on Monday (the 17th) with the Winnipeg Smokers (minus Jason, who had to work). The boardwalks are more like docks in that they are not attached to the land except at the shoreline and so we bobbed and swayed as we made our way along them – a little unnerving with a curious 2 year old. The school children were collecting specimens in Becel containers and were happy to share a look at their catches: tadpoles, tiger side-swimmers, water spiders and other asso
rted primary producers and consumers. I think Lila’s favourite part of the experience was the touch museum where a collection of taxidermied mammals could be petted and poked, which I did while she watched. Tate seemed to enjoy the aquariums and terrariums of fish, lizards and snakes. I enjoyed the company, the walk and the sunshine… and the familiar feel of pushing a stroller.
Today we also learned that the G. Smokers have a reputation for going to Costco whilst on vacation; not once but every day. We had no idea we were the objects of su
ch family mockery so we went to Costco for comfort on our way home. We were in good company as a Canada Goose family decided to pick up a few things at Costco on their way home.
This day also warrants a happy birthday wish to our son Brendan who is 24 today. You know our sentiments so I will only say, “Happy Birthday, sweet son!”
The following photo gallery is mostly for family back home and I include it to say how much we missed you all while we were in Winnipeg. Please feel free to photoshop yourselves in where appropriate.
Last night James told us he went to Costco on his honeymoon. This is a G. Smoker tradition!! We loved the Lake of the Woods, it looks like you stayed in the same campsite we did on our way back to Winnipeg.