Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba

The Lily Pond






We started seeing lots of deer!


Mama and baby





Next 2 pics - another mama and baby

Rennie, Manitoba - Alfred Hole Goose Sanctuary, Whiteshell Provincial Park

Our lodging secure, we left our tent behind and went on a side trip to go check out this sanctuary for giant Canada geese. When we arrived at the sanctuary, we heard some wicked-sounding thunder and boy were we thankful we weren't caught in that. Then when we got back, we found out that a nasty storm had just slammed the area where we'd set up camp, unleashing torrential rain and lightning and the works. By a pure stroke of luck, we had narrowly evaded the whole thing! Thank goodness we'd bought a nice sturdy tent, and had the good sense to put up the rain fly before we left, just in case.

I'd paraphrase the story of the goose sanctuary, but it's actually so interesting it's worth quoting here (to make it easier than if I posted multiple photos of text on placards):

Alf Hole's Legacy

The story began in the spring of 1939. A local storekeeper brought four abandoned goslings to Alfred A. Hole, a mink rancher and outdoorsman. He bet Alf a crock of whiskey that the goslings would not survive for six weeks. Alf met this challenge, and won not only the spirits but also the spirit of the geese.

Although he did not realize it, Alf's love and care of animals ensured the survival of a special flock of geese. The giant Canada geese that return each year to the Alf Hole Goose Sanctuary are descendants of the original goslings and a living tribute to Alf Hole.

Why is the Alf Hole Flock Important?

For over 40 years, giant Canada geese were thought to be an extinct subspecies. However, they were rediscovered in Minnesota by Harold Hanson in 1962. The large number of giant Canada geese nesting at the sanctuary suggests that Alf's original goslings were also giant Canada geese, for they often return to nest where they were hatched. Thus Alf Hole's efforts were important in preserving and increasing a portion of the subspecies.

A gaggle of geese!


The grey patches, incidentally, are bedrock peeking through the thin cover of soil and vegetation. This region is part of the huge Canadian Shield (aka Precambrian Shield) covering half of Canada, where glaciers in the last ice age scraped the earth down to bare rock. As a result, exposed bedrock is a common sight in much of central and eastern Canada, and it's never far below the surface even in vegetated areas.




Just look at them. Aren't they beautiful?




Even Alf's fireplace had a goose. This is gorgeous stone masonry. The photo really doesn't do it justice.


We saw a couple of these bears run across the Trans Canada Highway on our way here; one in eastern British Columbia and another in central Alberta. They were on the small side so we think they were cubs. Not that it would have been wise to try to find out. Where there is a cub, there is invariably a fiercely protective mama bear nearby. Nobody feels that lucky.

I don't remember what this specific bear's story is, but I'm thankful to report that they don't kill animals in order to stuff them and put them on display here.

West Hawk Lake, Manitoba

This lake was created by a meteorite impact about 100 million years ago. It's about 11483 feet wide and 364 feet deep.

Falcon Lake, Manitoba - Whiteshell Provincial Park

We set up camp at Lake Shore Campground on Falcon Lake. It's really lush and green and just lovely. Incidentally, because of the tens of thousands of lakes and ponds in this area of the country, it's also really mosquito-ridden this time of year. I made the mistake of putting the bug repellent on *after* exiting the truck, and must've lost about a quart of blood as a result. Or at least it felt like it after all the bites started itching. But this trip was so worth it.

Eastern Manitoba

The dramatic skies of the Canadian prairies were listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Canada. Seems to earn this title even when it's rainy and overcast.

Winnipeg, Manitoba - Royal Canadian Mint

This is a really nice courtyard, with fountains and gardens off to the right.


Yeah, I know. But it had to be done.


This bar of 99.99% pure gold is worth about $300,000 and weighs over 27 pounds. A very polite and friendly armed guard keeps an eye on you while you hold it, in case you get any bright ideas.

(Photo credit http://www.flickr.com/photos/jordoncooper/13476609/)

Yes, it feels completely bizarre to be holding a large slab of gold in your hands.


There is a warning plaque below the display, since it's a lot heavier than it looks and they don't want anyone throwing their back out.


Not heavy enough for you? How about a 100 kg (220.5 pound) gold coin? 99.999% pure, $1 million denomination. We unfortunately weren't going to be in town to see this in person, but you can see a full documentary of the making of this coin in the lobby at the Mint.


Incidentally, I learned that the process of making coins is way more complicated than I'd have imagined. No photography is allowed during your tour through various production areas of the facility, so you'll just have to trust me on this. :)

I also learned that not only does the U.S. Constitution prohibit any foreign agency from making U.S. currency, it likewise prohibits U.S. mints from making any foreign currency. Canadian law has no such restrictions, and to date, the Royal Canadian Mint has made currency for about 80 other countries.

Winnipeg, Manitoba - Getting the blog caught up

Ok stopped at a hotel with wifi and ready to do some catching up on the blog, including posting of pictures taken earlier in the trip. They'll be backposted to the dates and times when they were taken, as opposed to the top of the blog page, so they'll be in the logical date order in which they were taken.

**Update: There are still more photos to post for Aug 16, 17, 19, and 20, but it's late and I'm bushed! More backposting to follow.