On this trip I was heading north, to the western edge of Hudson’s Bay, in search of polar bears. To get there I had to first fly to Winnipeg, then to Churchill and finally on a small plane to the lodge, located just east of York Factory.
Before flying north, I spent a few days in Winnipeg, exploring the city and visiting with some friends.
If you look at a map of Canada, sitting in the middle (east to west) is the City of Winnipeg. With the railway came growth and prosperity as Winnipeg became the major hub between Eastern and Western Canada. Some of the opulence of the railway era still lives on in Winnipeg to this day…
The Forks, located where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet, has been a gathering place for thousands of years. Today, this abandoned rail yard has been transformed, with a market, restaurants and trails.
I was there in October, but I imagine the outdoor area would be beautiful in the summer…
Winnipeg is also home to some lovely parks…
And some interesting street art…
I wandered a lot, and kept coming back to the same place, day and night – the Esplanade Riel Footbridge and the Museum of Human Rights.
The St Boniface Cathedral was built in 1906 and in 1968 much of it was destroyed in a fire. Today, the facade and side walls of the original building remain and a new cathedral was built behind the facade.
I really enjoyed my time in Winnipeg, and after a few days of relaxing and exploring, it was time for the main event! Coming up – polar bears, wolves and northern lights!
I never had a chance to explore Winnipeg with a camera when I travelled there but looking at your photos would love to spend time there … beautifully captured
A worthwhile stopover. You got some great shots of a city that seems to so often fly under the radar. Your wanderings definitely paid off. Nice work My Friend!