Day 6 - Oak Hammock Marsh, Hecla Provincial Park

From Winnipeg we headed north and stopped at Oak Hammock Marsh. In the middle of southern Manitoba's wetlands it is the home and migratory stopping point for hundreds of thousands of birds and one of the best sanctuaries around. Summertime is not the best time for bird watching but we have seen swarms of Pelicans circling in the air and ground squirrels being domesticated by tourist who were willing to trade their food for a chance to pet this creatures like normal pets.

From there we continued on our road north on Hwy 8 to Hecla Provincial Park, an island away from the tacky hustle of Lake Winnipeg's beaches. The islands, marshes and forests are said to be full of deer, moose, beaver and bear. Unfortunately the Grassy Narrows Marsh trails were closed due to high water levels, but there was another trail leading to a tower which was perfect for wildlife habitat viewing. But more unfortunately we didn't see anything else than a bunch of dragonflies.

We stopped at Hecla Village to fill up the car, a perfectly impeccable lived-in Icelandic settlement since 1876 with historically striking buildings on the lake shore. It feels like if you would be in a remote Icelandic village. The only thing remembering you where you are is that people speak English. As if time has stopped here somewhat earlier, the lady running the only gas station within miles reads off the pump clock with a spy-glass...that was cute.

There is a severe thunderstorm warning tonight for southern Manitoba and it already began to rain and thunder while I am sitting in my tent writing this up. First night in a tent with rain, we will see if I stay dry until the morning. But this had to come at some point as well.

Distance travelled: 204 km