So this guy, Cameron Cross, had this vision of erecting 7 giant paintings around the world, and here in Altona, Manitoba stands one of them - a giant steel easel displaying Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’, all 76’6” of it in celebrating Altona’s reputation as the Sunflower Capital of Canada.
In the same park is this:
While in the area we visited the Gallery in the Park, a beautiful and tranquil outdoor gallery, a nice relief from the 32* weather we’ve had for the past week or so! This one is my favourite -
It’s called “The Splash”
Did I mention that Roger’s middle name is Bruce?
We came upon our 1st EV Charger hog - plugged into the only charger in town for about 4 hours before we finally gave up and went to bed, with visions of ‘nasty notes’ dancing in my head!
Day 21 -
It’s still 32*, has been for at least a week.
Treherne Glass Bottle Church and House, wishing well and outhouse built from over 5,000 bottles! Who has that kind of time? Who has that many bottles!!
Treherne is an urban community halfway between Winnipeg and Brandan on Provincial Hwy 2. aka a place where the EV charger isn’t working!
If you are ever out this way - Spirit Sands in Spruce Woods Provincial Park, an area created by glacial melt waters, is a must. It is not technically a desert because of its precipitation but it is one of a very few areas of sand dunes in Canada. In it is Devils Punch Bowl, a 30 metres deep depression that disappears into an ever moving eerie phenomenon pool of blue-green water with underground streams that have eroded and collapsed the hills beside the Assiniboine River, and the water never freezes.
Spirit Sands Outfitters: Larry Robinson, his 11 year old grandson, and new puppy were our guides leading us through on a horse drawn wagon, the best way to see the place. Larry has lived around here his whole life ranching and also drives rigg in the tar stands in the winter months. This man talked about all sorts of things, and his stories affirm that he has been blessed by the Creator with the spirit of the land and everything upon it. I could listen to Larry for days.
I’m trying to download a video but it doesn’t seem to be working this morning, so here’s a picture, without Larry’s voice :(
Portage la Prairie
Checked into Days Inn - not nice!
Day 22 -
Portage la Prairie is on the Assiniboine River diversion that diverts water from the Assiniboine northward into Lake Manitoba. Quite beautiful actually with white swans and pelicans!!! There’s a beautiful park like walkway all along it over to Island Park.
We visited Fort La Reine Museum, and outstanding collection of historic homes, businesses, churches, war artifacts (lots of old uniforms), stuff like that plus the Allis-Chalmers building. Wish I knew more about the Chalmers family, I know zip about them!
We’re getting a little anxious about finding places to stay, things are beginning to fill up. So we took the evening off and drove to Delta Marsh, check it out at: http://www.dmbo.org/
and then to Delta Beach on Lake Manitoba and relaxed for a while, waded in the water and watched the beginning of the sunset.
