Chocolate Cake

Here in Manitoba, we have been blessed this spring with unusually warm weather, and I have thus far been taking full advantage of this. This weekend was no exception. I decided to venture to Spruce Woods Provincial Park near Carberry. I had been there previously a few years ago, but did not explore the area to my satisfaction. Like so many other facets of my life, I felt this needed to be rectified.

Saturday started early, and I was on the road by 07hr20. My intention was to reach the park early to avoid the typical increase of visitors that occurs early in the afternoon, and to beat the heat. I was venturing into a desert, you see. I wanted to explore the Spirit Sands, an area that has been historically revered and respected by indigenous tribes of the area. Like all things sacred, new comers to the land have a need to make their mark as well.

You see this sign as soon as you enter the trail. I found this placard to be all at once comical, cementing, and heartbreaking. Comical because if you get a chance to hike this area, I'm sure you will agree that it is one of the most peaceful experiences one may have. Cementing because even in areas such as this one, in mined areas, and any other place man decided to lay to waste, nature with all its patience and tenacity, has the ethereal ability to restore itself without prejudice. And heartbreaking because, despite mankind's ability to choose and reason, we still continue to abuse the only thing that keeps us alive and thriving.

But I will go on and enjoy the day and what it has to offer. And did this day have much to offer!

Shortly up the trail, there is a fork where you can choose which direction to go. The path to the right, of shorter distance, takes you to the sand dunes. The path to the left, of a longer distance, takes you to the Devil's punch bowl. I opted for the shorter trail to start and headed for the sand dunes. Like the knowledge of having chocolate cake for dessert, I left the Devil's punch bowl for last. I mean, who can resist a name like "Devil's punch bowl"!! This would be my dessert.

I was alone in the park which was very nice. I think that the serenity of the place might have been lost on me if I was constantly walking into loudly talking people with their unrestrained dogs. I took a detour to a vantage point set atop a large hill, allowing for some pretty impressive views of the park. I really enjoy this photo below because it reminds me of an artscape a friend of mine had done downtown a few years ago. He created large "spots" of plywood covered with live grass and attached them on the sides of buildings along an alley way, in an effort, I believe, to bring a quintessential piece of suburban vegetation (grass) into hostile territory.

The landscape here, like the rest of Manitoba, is unique to its location. I have had the opportunity, through my current job, and with previous jobs, to travel all over Manitoba. From the fertile lands of southern Manitoba, to the clay laden ground of the Interlake, the moon-like terrain of Flin Flon, the glacier scarred shield of the east, the densely forrested lands of central Manitoba, and rounding off nicely with the bottomless sands of Reindeer Lake. This is why Manitoba is so interesting to me. It is completely diverse, yet always feels like home.

Today's home being Spruce Woods, would start kicking my behind very shortly as I realized I need to work out more. The trail through the sand dunes was very challenging. Thankfully, ladders, like the one pictured below, assisted noodle legged hikers like myself make it up some pretty tough inclines. These ladders were a godsend going up, but going down was an entirely different story. The logs, strung together with cable wire, rolled underneath your feet if not rooted, and the blown sand created a surface akin to ice coated sidewalks.

The sand dunes had a very unusual effect on me. While in complete awe of the versatility of the vegetation able to grow here (including an tight forest oasis of pines), I couldn't stop taking pleasure in the textures and temporariness of the sand. In some areas, the sand was rippled like a creek on a breezy day. Other areas where the lee of a dune was more protected, the sand draped the hill side like a smooth velvet blanket.

I lost the trail at one point because the previous hikers footsteps had been blown away, leaving me to scurry up and down three dunes to get back on track to avoid damaging the fragile plants that grew along the bases. I kept finding these entirely charming sand circles (for lack of a better term). Fallen plants, still rooted, had been blown in circles creating consistent patterns, like the one below.

After I exhausted the sand dunes, I went for the cake! The trail to the Devil's Punch Bowl was much more typical to other trails I have hiked (apart from the mostly sand trail bed). The trees were already leafing, and the spring flowers were out. Still no one on the trail! Thank goodness, because I probably looked a wreck, what with my pants rolled up, bandanna on my head, and dirty from kneeling or laying on the ground trying to get a decent picture. I did spot the crocus again!

The hike to the punch bowl was drastically less taxing on my legs than the hike through the dunes. It was nice to enjoy a leisurely walk through the park, taking in spring, and just being outside. When I reached the punch bowl, I was rewarded by a colourful body of water. Reds, greens, and blues mixed seamlessly to create a unique fixture in this park. This body of water feeds into the Assiniboine River, and is endured by an underground stream. The Devil's Punch Bowl, certainly took the cake.

I found Spruce Woods Provincial Park to be a very rewarding experience. The Devil's Punch Bowl is certainly an amazing sight to be seen. I did find, however, the hike through the sand dunes to be my favourite part of the days journey. It was unusual, refreshing, and thought provoking. I think I may have to revisit this place again.

Along the whole of the trail, I was constantly picking up garbage until my pockets couldn't contain any more. I kicked myself repeatedly for not bringing a garbage bag. I guess a part of me would hope that people would have enough respect and regard for such a fragile ecosystem such as this. But then again, we did test explosives here...

Until next time, just because the wind may blow your footprints away, you still leave a trail behind.

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Today is a beautiful day in Southern Manitoba. Sunny, light wind, and a high of 21c!!! I decided to not take a lengthy hike today, but rather take in one of Manitoba's interesting attractions.

I visited the Narcisse Snake Dens in Narcisse (go figure). I've been there many times before to see the snakes during their fall migration, but have never seen their summer mating season, which I hear is something "you have to see!". The park was full of people, lots of families, many people with cameras, and everyone enjoying the weather. The trail through the dens is relatively short (just under 4 kms). At each of the 4 dens, there is a platform for viewing and fencing to prevent people from getting a closer look.

I figured that given the time of year, and the very warm weather, the snakes would be out in full fury. But I was left disappointed with nary a serpent soul to be found. I would love to take my nephew here when the snakes are out. It really is something else!!

I was not completely disappointed on this trip. I found a patch of rare white prairie-crocus (these flowers are typically a deep "easter egg" purple), which was a surprising find and made my day. Prairie-crocuses are very pretty to look at, but not something you would like to pick and bring home to mom. The sap is caustic, which means these flowers are nice to look at, and better left alone.

Although it was a rather uneventful outing (save for the crocuses), it was still a lovely walk on an unusually warm April day in Manitoba. I did see the usual unusual things along the way, though:

• the wild turkey that struts around Clandeboye challenging vehicles that drive by
• the dangerous aardvarks just east of Teulon (I don't think there really are aardvarks there, but the sign does warn one to beware of them...)
• the blasted Historical Site that is well advertised, but I still cannot prove its existence

I hope to have a more exciting post next time. Until next time, even pretty things are sometimes better left alone.

Knowing When It's Time to Turn Around

At the suggestion of my mom, an avid blogger herself these days, I have decided to start my own blog. My blog will probably consist of mainly of my forays into the beautiful Manitoban backyard: vast areas of mildly populated to unpopulated areas.

A little background on myself first would be appropriate, I think. I am 26, currently residing in a small city just outside Winnipeg, and hold my parents accountable for my unquenchable thirst to be in the out-of-doors. Mom and Dad did the best thing they could have done for my brother, my sister and I. They bought a cottage in a semi-isolated Provincial Park where we had the opportunity to swim in the lake until our fingers were wrinkled, we would go cycling, fort building, trail cutting, had late night bonfires, and went exploring secluded beaches and islands. It was amazing!! I believe my experience at our cottage is what bloomed the environmentalist in me (as I am now working as an Environment Officer with Manitoba Conservation), and has sparked the adventurer in me.

So yesterday, I decided to go hike the Black Wolf Trail in Hecla Provincial Park. Hecla is a beautiful island, and has much to offer. Having already hiked the Red Fox Trail last weekend (a minor 10km trail through the marshes and along the lake shore), I decided to challenge myself further and return to take on the Black Wolf.

The Black Wolf Trail runs approximately 16 - 18 kms long (depending on which route you take) and supposedly takes one past numerous historical sites. Yesterday was perfect hiking weather. Warm, slight breeze, and no bugs. The total hike would have taken me all day (being just over a 30km return), so I set out early.

Things were going well, and there was lots to see. Beavers, ducks, geese, a moose skeleton. Once the trail headed off the marsh and into the woods, there was some sign of predators. Two beaver carcasses were at the head of the wooded trail. No big deal. They were not fresh, and had been picked clean already. My biggest concern on the trail were bears, as I did not have my bear spray with me... just my Fox 40 whistle. So I walked on.

I have to say that my appreciation of what is around me in nature has matured significantly from from my experiences with my boyfriend Dave, and his fellow SERE Instructors with the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Areomedical Training. I now subconsciously challenge myself to "read between the lines". I take note of native vegetation that could be used as a food source, fuel or shelter. I look for animal tracks, rubs, nests, scat, and can (the majority of the time) identify them. It is a useful skill to have....

When I was 8kms into the trail, I chose to take the longer route... and unwittingly I found myself walking a trail dividing two pretty significant stretches of water. At the head of this trail section, I found moose track, probably no more than a day or two old... and wolf track. I had seen wolf scat earlier on the trail, but it was very old, and no fresh tracks. Here, it was very different. I continued on for another 300m, but the wolf track became so numerous, the entire trail bed was mosaicked with them.

I stopped at this point and assessed my situation. I was alone on a trail that traveled into a thick and secluded section of wood in Hecla. I had no cell service. I did not have a rifle, just my whistle, my walking stick, my knife, and my wits. I did not see any fresh kill in the area, but given the varying age and number of wolf tracks, this was a main route for them. Both sides of this trail section was surrounded with knee deep water. If they were to come up from behind me, I would be blocking their route. If they were to come from the front, I would still be blocking their route. The off chance that this happened, my only exit would be the trail, or the water. The water would be a very bad idea, as they would just wait for me on dry land, and I would probably be almost hypothermic (and bleed out slower).

An attack by a lone wolf, possibly survivable. Sacrifice my left side, and leave my right arm free to defend with my knife. A pack of them, no way!! I know Hecla is now a tourist area, but I don't know how accustomed to humans the black wolves are. I decided I did not like the situation, and figured it was time to turn around and go back the way I came.

I know it is odd to have the above thought process, but I can't help it. I prefer to be hyperaware of my situation, and have an uncontrollable imagination for possible situations and how to manage them.

I will reattempt the trail in the near future, but will probably recruit someone else to accompany me. I prefer the hike alone, but not in areas like this. The trail is really beautiful, but being the first person on the trail this season, I think it will wait for another day.

Until next time, keep your eyes open... there is so much out there to see!!