Snowshoeing!

Years ago, I was introduced to snowshoeing by my friend Bebe and her husband RG in Ottawa. I loved it.

So, knowing that I'd be looking for some outdoor recreation this winter, I put them on my Christmas List - and I got them! I got a snazzy purple pair - with poles from my older brother, BT.

Side story - on Christmas morning at his house in London, I opened a card under the tree. It told me my gift was NOT in the BBQ... So, I checked there, and found another note saying I should check the end of the leash... so, I pulled on the leash, followed it around the backyard to the back corner - and had to shovel out the top of a large storage container, which had my snowshoes and poles inside! It was a fun adventure. The best part was - I did the SAME thing the next day when my siblings and I were giving a pair of snowshoes to our dad!!

Back in Winnipeg, KT and I had both expressed interest in going snowshoeing, and discovered that you can go out with a guide at Fort Whyte Conservation Area. So, that's exactly what we did. I think for her to rent equipment and pay to be on the trail it was like $9. So, also, an affordable way to spend a Saturday...

Of course, we had to choose one of the coldest days of the year. But, it was SUNNY!!! :) And we started the day off by celebrating KT's birthday at The Tallest Poppy. Great interior, really good french toast - esp when you ask to add the cinnamon butter! SO GOOD!



So, here are some shots of us snowshoeing... and me getting assisted by our guide...several times! He was a very patient guide! For some reason, my snowshoes won't stay done up... So, he eventually tied a knot and they stayed on. It wasn't easy to get them off...but they stayed on!






All in all, we were out for over three hours... in -29 degree weather (without windchill...). And we had a great time! We loved getting back into the Main Lodge and having lunch (great butternut squash soup!) while we warmed back up. It was a great snowshoeing experience! Unfortunately, it also turned out to be our only one!

What do you do when it's FREAKING cold??

My first winter in Winterpeg. The notorious winters of this Prairie-edge city... There is no joking, no "blown out of proportion" comments - and in my mind - no such thing as "it's a dry cold"... -35 degrees is FREAKING cold. It can be more tolerable than -35 degrees in Ontario - but that's mostly because of the amount of sun that Winnipeg gets ALL year round. There is no break in January. You don't have the dreary days of February that Ontario feels cursed with. Majority of days - BIG BLUE skies. This is the first big saving grace of Winter in Winnipeg.

Second saving grace - this city and it's people are built for it. There's a long building-to-building walkway down town so you don't have to spend as much time outside. There are outlets in almost all parking lots so your car can be plugged in and not freeze in place. There are people going about their business ALL THE TIME. And because they don't let it stop them... how could I let it stop me? Exactly, I didn't. I just continued on with my life - and increased my layers in order to do what I wanted to do.

Inside info - I like wearing skirts/dresses to work at least twice a week. And, I decided that this "winter thing" wasn't going to interrupt my routine. So, at first I started wearing wind-breaker pants over my nylons/tights and skirts/dress - and then it got upgraded to full-out snowpants. And then... on really cold days - I wore my snowpants over my pants! On the coldest of cold days - I even wore my balaclava to work.

This is not to say that I didn't enjoy some periods of hibernation... I had a couple of weekends where the only thing that could get me out of my apartment was the need to get groceries.

For my period of hibernation, I would like to thank Netflix for coming to my rescue. I know a lot of people have commented that there aren't enough "blockbuster" titles... but apparently, I'm not a "blockbuster" kind of movie watcher! There are a TON of GREAT titles on Netflix! I've really enjoyed having all these movies/shows at my fingertips! Besides - who would want to rent movies while hibernating?? You'd still need to go outside to get them - AND - return them!

The other survival tactic I used through the winter - I found things to do. And these weren't just INDOOR activities! As you'll see from some of my winter blog entries - I went out and about!

Here are some of the observations that I found interesting - in comparison to my Ontario background... The snow here STAYS. The first snow, just after Remembrance Day stayed on the ground until EVERYTHING melted in the spring. (A couple of weeks ago). In Ontario, there is always a melt or two throughout the winter. You see grass. You get these glimmers of hope that winter could actually end in January (as fruitless as you know that hope to be). Not here. The snow falls, the snow stays. Gets a bit compacted. More snow falls. And so on. The good part about this - all winter it's white. Not as grey/mushy as it gets for days in Ontario. And, the best part, you only have to deal with thawing dog crap ONCE. :)

People talk about the weather no matter where you are. And I can't tell you the number of times I was asked if it was cold enough for me... But, people don't complain as much about snowfall. Mostly, because especially this winter, Winnipeg didn't see nearly as much snow as Southern Ontario. (Poor London!)

A new winter term that I learned... "Deep freeze"... It's the winter version of a "heatwave." It's when it remains below -30 or 35 for days at a time... There were some parts of Manitoba who, during one of these deep freezes, had night after night of -45 degree warnings. Now, just so you know, there are some people here who don't believe in "windchill"...! I find this impossible. There is DEFINITELY a difference with the wind...and Windypeg DEFINITELY has wind!!! I just checked the Weather Network and the coldest temp between Dec 1 and April 1 was -30 degrees. But the windchill could change a temperature reading by 10-15 degrees. So, I don't think this is accurate. But, it is what it is. (BTW - the -30 was recorded on Jan 29. And the highest temp in that range - +5 degrees).

All in all... I got through it. Now, there was snowfall on Friday and yesterday, but it's gone today. And that's all that counts. :)

I'll leave you with one of my favourite winter sights. Someone flipped perfectly into the snow along the river path. I found his imprint on my way to the grocery store one day. I was just impressed at how well executed it was... and then as I continued along the path, I found some of his practice attempts! :)

Long time, no blogs...

In case you've been wondering - NO - I have not left Winnipeg... And YES - I have still been having adventures...

So, why no blogs?

Well, a couple of big blog-able events happened in a short span of each other... and I became fixed on wanting to post them in order... but not having time to write the longer one... and then really, it became more of a figment of my imagination, because it's not going to be that daunting to write...

Regardless, my apologies. We'll see how many entries I post today, but my goal is two. (Ha! We'll see if I count this one!)

On with the show!

Four feet, four hours - GO!

So, my friend Andrew came to town last weekend - for 4 hours.

He was traveling from Toronto to Vancouver on "The Canadian" - the train decked out with sleeper cars and a dome car where you can catch all the great views. He has a blog for his whole trip - which I recommend you take a look at! As part of his "journey" (one of the first things we discussed - how this was a "journey" - not a trip... interesting and important distinction... kind of like how I always differentiate if I go to a "movie theatre" to see a movie or a "cinema" to watch a film...) ...anyway... as part of his journey - he had a 4-hour layover in Winnipeg, during which we would get a chance to hang out - and I'd get to show him around Winnipeg - on foot, in four hours.

When I arrived at the train station, I was (surprisingly for me!) earlier than expected. So, I got a chance to roam around the waiting area while I waited for Andrew to arrive. There are some really cool pictures down there! (I'll refer to it as "down there" - it feels like you're in a basement... lower ceilings... windows on only one wall... And, they were unfortunately going through a bit of a leaky roof situation...) There were photos of soldiers lining up heading off for WWI...coming back from WWI... Immigrants... parties in the rotunda...




At precisely 8:00am... the first two people entered from Andrew's platform. So, I waited a couple minutes longer and then Andrew appeared. Thankfully enough - he'd dressed warmly - it was -30 that day, so I'd packed him an extra scarf in case he came poorly prepared... Winnipeg is a whole different level of winter! So, we had our reunion hug and greetings - and then I told him that we were going to make a dash outside and heat over to The Forks. We trudged across the parking lot - and talked very quickly to each other - trying to make sure we really took advantage of our four hours. The Forks Market was pretty dead at that time in the morning - but we weren't there for exhibits - we were there for the lookout! There is this 5-storey (?) tower at the end of the Market, where you can climb up - or take the elevator - and get a great view of Winnipeg.

And - since the sun doesn't rise until just after 8 - I had my fingers crossed that we'd make it there on time! And it paid off - because we made it!




There are a ton of snow and ice sculptures popping up around the city - here's a castle that children can play in just outside the market - you can see the lookout tower we were just in rising above.


So, although Andrew told me he was going to eat breakfast on the train...and I built our plan around a morning snack - not a meal - he told me on our way to The Forks that he didn't eat on the train. This changed our plan a bit - and had us taking a cab over to Stella's Cafe on Osborne - for their great breakfast - and best part - homemade three berry jam... It's REALLY good. So good, that I gave Andrew MINE! (He ordered the Mexican Breakfast - a favourite amongst my friends, so no toast on his plate.)


And, as you can tell from the photo... the wonder and magic of the jam went right to his heart...

So, after encouraging Andrew to eat fast, several times (he had a train to catch, after all!), we finally finished our breakfast and headed back out onto the streets of Winnipeg - namely - Osborne Village. This is a trendy little area - with boutiques, restaurants and yoga studios... So, we hurried past the stores (mostly all were closed still anyway... it's only about 9:30 at this point) - and I pointed out what I'd tried, what I'm avoiding, etc... And then we headed across the very blustery Osborne bridge! It was a really pretty scene though! On Friday, we got a ton of snow - so everything looked really fresh and pretty. When we got to the other side, I checked in with Andrew, and after finding out he was cold, I slipped him a pair of "mitten warmers" - those little packets you can slip in your mitts that warm up on their own, from the dollar store (and just so you know - they were still warm at 7pm that night!!). Anyway, we said hello to Louis Riel - Andrew had to walk through the snow to see him, but he said it was worth it... As I had to remember all my history lessons and give him a mini lecture on Canadian history...

Then we headed inside the Manitoba Legislature - for a quick self-guided tour of the main lobby... there were wedding photos being taken down the centre staircase, so we could do our own fancy photos...


And of course... I had to point out a true Winnipeg wonder in the parking lot... (if you don't plug your car in... all the liquids will freeze, and your car won't run... told you it was cold!)


We said a quick hello to Queen Victoria in her snowy fur coat... (or at least that's what it looks like...)

Then, we made a quick stop by my apartment so I could get another image for my "visual" guest book before heading on a diagonal through the downtown streets towards The Exchange District. Since I had pity on Andrew freezing his butt off... I gave him a tour of the Sky Walk - where there are blocks and blocks of buildings linked together by walkways on the second level of the building. In this photo, we're in a walkway - and you can see another walkway down the street...


We took the walkway from City Place mall to Portage and Main - quick stop for Andrew to make a short movie of all the snow swirling around at the windiest corner in Canada - and then into the Exchange District:



Unfortunately, we were too early for most things to be open! So, no Mondragon Cafe for him! So, we walked a few blocks - and then called a cab so we could get back over to the train station... But here's the fun part... remember how we'd taken a cab to Stella's?? Well, we got into this cab - and we asked to be taken to the Forks Market - and the cab driver said - "You want to go back there? I already picked you up from there!?!" It was hilarious!! (And yes, I did double check with him to make sure he wasn't the ONLY cab driving around for the company I kept calling!)

So, we stopped by the Forks again, so we could see it in action - here is some of the stuff they have set up as part of the "River Skate" (their version of the Rideau Canal) - there are "warming huts" and here you can see the "River Pond Shimmy Hockey Tournament" going on.


Once all that fun was done, I gave Andrew a chance to see all the action in The Forks Market, buy a post card and then head over to the train station again, where I had to bid him farewell...


And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you take advantage of 4 short hours in Winnipeg!!

It was a great visit, great tour - and a great memory! Thanks Andrew!

Happiness is... being reunited with a mitten you thought you'd lost forever

Yesterday was a VERY, VERY cold day in Winnipeg. -45 degrees when I was walking into work. It was a very good thing I was wearing snowpants over my nylons and that I grabbed an extra scarf before leaving!

When I arrived at work, I had to find my pass so I could get into the building. I took my mittens off and opened my frozen purse to find it. (Note - it was so cold that all of the metal parts of my purse looked like a frosted door handle on a car - left outside overnight - not a "normal purse" that was outside for 12 mins...anyway...) I found it, and proceeded into the building.

It wasn't until I was all dressed up in all my gear that I realized I was missing a mitten.

These mittens are my favourites! I love them. My friend AG (who I still only think of as AL) sent them to me as a gift with a pink hat she knit for me. They're made in Greece and are leather - I'd like to say lamb - but I'm unsure. Anyway, they're very warm, wind resistant and soft. Oh, and they have a great grip. No slippery grasps at travel mugs...

Anyway, I knew that I'd taken my mitts of in the lobby - so I asked the security guard before I left... He said nothing had been turned in, but the Lost & Found is maintained at the other security desk (a long way back to where I'd just walked over from... and I feared if I walked back, I'd overheat in all my gear...). So, I asked him to call them for me... But I soon realized my error. He described my light brown mitten as "grey". Huh?? So, it didn't really surprise me that there was no record of a "grey" mitten being turned in... (Or, at least I knew it wasn't mine!)

I walked home with my right hand pushed deep into my pocket. Remember - it's still about -40 at this point... I told several people about it... And knew in my heart - this wasn't the end.

I arrived at work this morning and asked the woman at the security desk of the building where I lost my mitten... No, she doesn't remember seeing it. No worries. I walk through the indoor corridor to the other building to ask the other security desk. There was a woman working that desk as well. As I approached, I just held up my mitten with a look that was half hope and half agony (that's a little shout out to Jane Austen through my older sister... who's probably not even reading my blog...).

The security guard nodded with recognition and opened up the L&F report book. There it was listed "Right beige leather mitten". That's exactly what it was! Within moments we were reunited.

Maybe I should take my younger sister's advice and add an "idiot string" to them so I can't lose them again... I just don't like the idea of me looking like I'm 5 years old...

The symphony!

How wonderful! I got to go to hear the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra AND Papa Mambo on Friday night. That's almost like checking two items off my Winter list at once!

KT contacted me over the holidays to invite me out to the symphony. Now, I'm going to come clean to her (I *know* she'll be reading this...) - when I got her email about it over the holidays - I wasn't really paying attention - I just said yes. Seriously, a night out with her, to see Cuban-African music for free - who could turn that down?

It wasn't until the night before, when she called to confirm our plans, that I realized we were going to The Symphony. (Yes, capital letters required).

I met them at Centennial Hall - by taking most of the indoor walking path. This was actually the first time that I walked through most of it. It's a pretty long, indoor route. I walked about three blocks from my apartment to the "start" and it led me almost right there - except for about two blocks at the end. And it was COLD out (this was prior to the balaclava purchase). So, thank you Winnipeg!

KT had put the word out, and so it was me, her husband, MT, their neighbour Lady M and a friend - K. So, we had our introductions in the lobby and then headed to our seats.

As you may recall from our night at the Opera - we ended up with great seats (fate? accident?). On Friday night, the seats were in the 2nd Balcony. I'm not a big fan of heights, but this really wasn't an issue. What was an issue, was the fact that I'm vertically challenged... I was sitting in the front row of the balcony, and I had to lean forward in order to see over the rails... Yes, a little embarrassing... And so, I moved back a row (it wasn't sold out), and it was better, but not great. At intermission, I decided to go to the very back row - which is one of my favourite places to sit in The Grand Theatre and Centennial Hall in London - but at this venue - my height was an issue still - and I couldn't see the front of the stage unless I sat on my foot. Seriously! Do not get balcony seats if you're bringing your kids to see something there... Or vertically challenged friends! :)

OK, seats aside (remember, they were free seats, so I was very grateful - and thankful that the balcony was vacant enough that I could move around and try different seats!) - it was a TERRIFIC concert! Papa Mambo is a Cuban group in Winnipeg that has been around for 17 years. They crafted some arrangements so they could perform with the symphony - and it was fabulous.

I actually saw a trio perform before - Trio Bembe - and they are an off-shoot of this group. All three members are part of Papa Mambo (I believe). I saw them at the Peace Concert at The Forks in November. I'm telling you, Winnipeg is the land of Free, Great music.

It was a really great night. Fun to meet some new people, great to spend time with KT and MT - and fabulous music that warmed the winter soul!

Thanks KT!!!


(I'd add photos, but I'm having some technical difficulties... Sorry!!)

Groceries in winter

Sorry I haven't blogged lately. This seems like an odd place to start - but it's a story I feel like sharing...

I had grand intentions today of taking the bus to the Superstore and then take a cab home... However, as the day progressed, I got a little delayed... (No big surprise!) So, suddenly it seemed like I'd barely have time to shop if I kept my original plan (remember - the world closes at 6pm here on Sundays). Instead, I got bundled up and walked to Safeway (my usual joint).

It was about -30 degrees with the windchill.

I started with a base layer: my workout pants, t-shirt, polar fleece sweater, thermal socks.

Then I added snowpants and my long winter jacket, my scarf, my hat and my new balaclava mask!

I showed my sister today on iChat - and she was scared! Apparently I look a little bit like a bank robber or Hannibal Lector... she couldn't really decide... It starts at my nose, covering my cheeks, ears and down my throat. I then wear my hat - which closes up the gap. When I put my hood up... I basically disappear. Completely.

Unfortunately, it doesn't totally stop my glasses from fogging up... Guess I better work on my plans to get contact lenses...

My walk to the grocery store takes about 20 minutes - and I wasn't cold at all! I was actually really impressed with how warm I was... Unfortunately, this meant that by the time I was done grocery shopping, I was overheated... I got home and was super sweaty. But - warm!!

Winter in Winnipeg REALLY is cold. Not as scary though when you're wearing the right gear!

KT and I will be going snowshoeing next weekend - so we'll see how I survive being out for an extended period of time!

(And yes Peggers, I know, this isn't even THAT cold!)

Here's a picture of me with my mask on... OK, maybe my sister's right... it is a little "Silence of the Lambs"...!!