Sunday June 30, 2013. Day 32

Portage La Prairie to Winnipeg

We met our French cycling colleague, Jasmin, at Tim Hortons, where he had spent the night sitting in front of his laptop. He is using warmshowers.org or couchsurfing.org, but it seemed not to have worked out this time. He was in good spirits and we shared more stories over an espresso and a latte.

It was a hot, hazy day with the Garmin at one point measuring 33C. We consumed lots of water but there was no shade and the road was as flat as we have seen. On the outskirts of Winnipeg, we turned off Highway 1, crossed the Assiniboine and cycled along the River Parkway. It was gentle and meandering and we passed many other cyclists as well as picnickers. Eventually, we re-crossed the river by the Legislature and made our way to the hotel.

We will be staying here for two days. Paul has been here often, but not as a tourist, and Lois has only visited briefly on one occasion. We are looking forward to celebrating Canada Day at the Forks!

We remain on the traditional territory of the Treaty 1 First Nations. The Swan Lake, Ojibway, First Nation is by Highway 1 just west of the city. Winnipeg is situated at the junction (the forks) of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. The rivers provided an extensive transportation network linking many First Nations peoples, including the Anishinaabe, Assiniboine, Ojibway, Sioux, and Cree.

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